There is a great deal of misinformation about what foods can help treat or cure yeast infections in dogs. The truth is that for many pups, diet has nothing to do with these infections. Here's what pet parents need to know about yeast infections in dogs and how they relate to diet.
Yeast is a kind of fungus that often causes infections of the ears and skin in dogs. Yeast is naturally present in the environment and, in small amounts, on all dogs’ skin. This yeast can multiply and cause an infection if the normal protective barrier of the skin is damaged or a dog's immune system is compromised. Dogs with yeast infections may show one or more of the following signs:
There needs to be an underlying reason why the normal protective barriers of the skin are not functioning properly, allowing the yeast infection to take hold. Some of the most common reasons for yeast overgrowth include:
Any condition that causes a dog to be itchy or to have fragile, oily, or moist skin can allow yeast to set up shop and multiply. Some of the breeds that are known to have these predisposing factors include the West Highland white terrier, cocker spaniel, dachshund, German shepherd, shih tzu, poodle, and boxer.
Changing the diet for your dog will not help prevent or cure a yeast infection unless your veterinarian determines your dog has an allergy to a specific ingredient.
Some myths suggest that restricting carbohydrates, such as grains, can prevent yeast infections, but there is no scientific evidence to support this. We also know that some formulations of grain-free diets may put our pups at risk for a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy, so these should be avoided.
The only situation where diet may play a role is for dogs who have a specific food allergy. A veterinarian can diagnose food allergies and recommend a safe, balanced diet to ensure all of your pup’s nutritional needs are still being met. This may involve an elimination diet trial where certain common triggers are excluded from the diet to see if the dog’s symptoms improve over time.
A diet change will not cure an existing yeast infection, but it may prevent an allergic dog from developing more yeast infections in the future.
To treat yeast infections in dogs, veterinarians aim to destroy the overgrowth of yeast and treat any underlying health problems that may have caused the infection. Your vet may prescribe one or more of the following treatments to eliminate a yeast infection:
Additional testing may be necessary for dogs with recurring yeast infections to get to the bottom of the underlying cause.
Keeping your pup’s skin and ears healthy is the best way to prevent yeast infections from occurring in the first place. See your vet to treat underlying conditions as soon as possible and prevent irritation to the skin from conditions like fleas and other skin parasites. Always consult your veterinarian before taking any of these preventative measures:
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