Like their human friends, pets also need a big boost of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to stay healthy, active, and disease-free. Since animals have fewer food options as compared to their human counterparts, apart from diet certain other alternatives can work well to fulfill their daily dietary requirements. An easy way to get proteins and vitamins into a dog’s diet is by adding nutritional yeast. Also called ‘nooch’, nutritional yeast is a type of food supplement made from a single-celled fungus called Saccharomyces cerevisiae (grown on molasses and sugarcane) which is harvested and dried out to create the final product. Nutritional yeast is most often used for protein, and Vitamin B deficiency in pets in cases where nutrients are not being absorbed by them properly due to mild or chronic gastrointestinal disorders.

Also Read: Dogs And Milk Diet: How Important Is It? Myths And Side Effects

Why Is Nutritional Yeast Given To Dogs?

A complete protein form, nutritional yeast also contains adequate amounts of essential amino acids and antioxidants that can help your canine buddies fight against diseases caused by free radical damage. Also high in fiber, the yeast contains riboflavin, thiamine, and minerals like calcium and potassium. Not only it does add a pinch of an extra dose of these nutrients in your canine’s meal when they are young, but it is also safe and simple for your pup to consume this kind of supplement. However, always remember it should not replace their regular meals or normal protein consumption.

Also Read: Pet Snacks: What Healthy Eatables Your Four-Legged Can Nibble On To Anytime Of The Day

Is Nutritional Yeast Good for Dogs?

Every pet parent will have this question before planning to add it to their furry buddy’s diet. While nutritional yeast can be your dog's good source of protein, but only an occasional supplement. In fact, a little bit goes a long way, so a pinch or two should be good to begin with.  But before you start, it is important to discuss this addition with a veterinarian. Also, look at the recommended guidelines for feeding as the amount of nutritional yeast to give your dog will depend on their size, age, and breed. Nutritional yeast for pets is widely available in supplement form, as a chewable tablet or fine powder that can be added to dog food. Though pet parents may be advised to use nutritional yeast meant for humans for the dog, it is better and safer to use pet-specific products containing nutritional yeast.

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Benefits of Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast offers several benefits for dogs and some of the best ones are as follows:

Improves digestion. Nutritional yeast contains significant amounts of Vitamin B complex, which supports nutrient absorption and healthy digestion in dogs.

Augments liver function. Nutritional yeast also contains folic acid. This component is helpful to maintain a healthy liver in canines.

Gives healthy skin and a shiny coat. Nutritional yeast has an essential component called selenium, which helps to maintain a healthy skin and soft coat in dogs. Selenium also combats free radicals that can cause oxidative damage to the cells in the pet’s body.

Supports immune system function. B vitamins help to prevent infections such as parvovirus and distemper virus from entering a pet’s body through exposure to other infected animals or toxins from the outside environment.

Improves Taste Of Dog Food: One big benefit of nutritional yeast is its capacity to aid dietary palatability for your dog. As an extra treat, nutritional yeast can help picky pets to eat well.

Aids in Intestinal Health: Nutritional yeast can help to reduce fecal E. coli counts in pets. This can help to improve intestinal health and promote better immune function.