What To Feed A Dog With Yeast Overgrowth

Food and diet can be a major cause of yeast overgrowth in dogs. So here’s some help with what to feed a dog with yeast overgrowth ... plus a recipe for homemade dog food for yeast overgrowth. 

First, here are some of the symptoms of yeast overgrowth in your dog.

Symptoms of Yeast Overgrowth in Dogs

Yeast overgrowth is uncomfortable for your dog. Here are some of the signs you might see:

• Head shaking
• Dark rusty-red hair between the toes
• Blackened skin
• Chewing or licking the feet
• Seasonal allergies
• Hair loss on the tail or upper back

If your dog has more than one of these signs, it could be yeast. And there’s a way to manage it with homemade dog food for yeast overgrowth.

So here’s what to feed when a dog has yeast overgrowth.

Homemade Dog Food Recipe for Yeast Overgrowth

Here's a recipe you can use to help manage your dog's yeast overgrowth. 

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground turkey
1/2 pound chicken hearts, chopped
1 oz beef liver (1/3 deck of cards), chopped
2 eggs without shells
1/2 cup chopped kale
1/2 cup chopped broccoli
2 Tbsp bone meal
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp ground pumpkin seeds
2 tsp turmeric
2 tsp (2 cloves) garlic
2 tsp ginger
2 tsp MCT oil
1 tsp chlorella
1/2 tsp kelp

Add before serving
Omega-3 oil (such as fish oil)
1/2 tsp Himalayan pink salt

Directions

Mix up the meat and organs. Add in the vegetables and eggs. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. When adding Safe-Sea or fish oil, use 3/4 tsp for a 50-pound dog or the same amount per 1 lb of food. 

This makes about 2 lbs of food. Feed a 50 lb dog about 16 oz (1 lb) and adjust according to your dog’s weight. The recipe can be doubled or tripled for larger dogs. 

Why Feed These Ingredients?

Here’s why these ingredients are important in your homemade dog food to help with yeast overgrowth. 

• Bone meal: supplies essential minerals and nutrients.
• Kale & broccoli: great sources of antioxidants that also support the immune system.
• ACV: can help support the normal detoxification of yeast.
• Pumpkin seeds: a natural source of vitamin E (and they’re also a great solution for intestinal worms).
• Turmeric: can help support the normal detoxifcation of yeast.
• Garlic: supports a healthy liver and gut function, which is important for yeast die-off.
• Ginger: support gut health and liver function.
• MCT oil: contains caprylic acid that helps support the normal detoxification of yeast.
• Chlorella: supports the body from exposure to heavy metal or environmental toxins.
• Kelp: rich in iodine. Yeast can be linked to hypothyroidism and iodine can help balance the thyroid gland.

Other Foods to Include in Homemade Dog Food

There are other foods and vegetables that you can include to increase the level of antioxidants for your dog, like leafy greens or asparagus. If you give fruit, use berries, blackberries and raspberries that are lower in sugar and offer exceptional health benefits. 

RELATED: Antioxidants for dogs …

Foods to Avoid for Yeast Overgrowth in Dogs

Avoid starchy vegetables, foods that contain carbohydrates and added sugars that may show on labels as dextrose and fructose. They include:

• Carrots, parsnips, peppers (which are also a nightshade vegetable that you should avoid because it contains solanine, which may further aggravate inflammation). 
• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes 
• Squash including pumpkin
• Tapioca
• Grains like rice, millet, wheat, corn and oats
• Starchy vegetables like carrots, parsnips and peas
• Legumes like lentils, chickpeas, lima and kidney beans
• Dairy, including yogurt

Note: You’ll often see yogurt recommended for yeast infections in dogs. But dairy, including yogurt, contains natural sugar that will continue to feed the yeast. Instead of yogurt, it’s best to give a probiotic supplement. Then you’ll know you’re giving enough CFUs (colony forming units) to address problems like digestive issues or diarrhea. 

The Best Supplements for Dogs With Yeast Overgrowth

Here are some of the best foods and herbs for dogs with yeast overgrowth.

Caprylic Acid  MCT oil is the best source of caprylic acid. Start slowly and work your way up to avoid diarrhea until your dog adjusts to it. Medium to large dogs should start at ¼ tsp.

Olive Leaf  Olive leaf powder contains oleuropein. Many studies show it can help with the normal detoxification of yeast. Give small dogs 1/4 tsp, medium 1/2 tsp and large 1 tsp daily, but again, start slowly. 

Pau D’Arco  Pau d’arco comes from a tree native to the Amazon. A potent powerful, it can help with yeast overgrowth. Choose pau d’arco in a dried herb that’s standardized and high quality. Give small dogs 200 mg twice daily, medium 300 mg and large 400 mg. 

Caution: Don’t give pau d’arco to pregnant dogs. 

Goldenseal  Studies show that goldenseal can help with yeast overgrowth. It contains berberine, a protective alkaloid. Choose dried goldenseal or goldenseal tincture. For powder, give 1 tsp per 20 lbs of body weight, or 5–10 drops of tincture per 20 lbs, 1-2 times daily. . 

Caution: Don’t use goldenseal long term … and avoid it with pregnant or hypoglycemic dogs. 

Yeast overgrowth is uncomfortable for your dog. When you improve his diet, you begin building better health for him, from the inside out.