5 Best Dog Food for Yeast Infections [Updated May 2023]: Canine and Pet Parent Approved

No fur mom or fur dad (or any pet lover for that matter) wants to see his or her four-legged companion suffering. Like a mom is to her kid, a pet parent also goes crazy when he or she sees his furry pal enduring mild skin issues, not to mention self-induced pain brought about by constant scratching. Enter yeast infection.

Yeast infection is a common skin condition that afflicts various dog breeds. It can range from mild to severe. You are probably among the many dog owners who have a dog who has to put up with this type of skin problem. Thankfully, there’s a way around it.

One sure-fire way to manage this is by making sure that your pet’s nutrition is kept in check. This is when dog foods for yeast infection, aka anti-yeast dog foods or anti-inflammatory dog foods, come in handy.

We are well aware that picking the RIGHT pet food for yeast issues can be confusing since you will not find any dog food with the labeling “Anti-Yeast.”

Fret not, though, because Dog Food Guide just made choosing the best anti-yeast dog food trouble-free by narrowing down the list and giving you the top 5 best dog foods for yeast infections.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR BEST DOG FOODS FOR YEAST INFECTIONS

Top 5 Best Dog Food For Yeast Infections

Finding a way to soothe your dog’s non-stop itching, scratching, butt rubbing, or paw licking can be nerve-wracking. We know how troubling this is but hang in there. There are a couple of effective yet low-cost treatment options that you can try to help ease your pooch’s pain.

Since having an imbalanced immune system is one of the main culprits for these so-called yeast infections, nurturing your dog’s immune system is a top priority.

Thus, we ensured that all five foods for yeast infections are highly recommended by pet parents and approved by dogs with yeast infections. Keep in mind, however, that talking to your vet should be on your to-do list.

Still at a loss? Our unfiltered and unbiased reviews are also here to give you an idea about what other pet parents are saying (good or bad) about these anti-yeast dog foods.

And as a fringe benefit, we made sure to include in this article everything you need to know about anti-yeast dog foods and yeast infections: the whats, the whys, and the hows.

1. K9 Natural Lamb Green Tripe Booster Topper
2. Olewo Itch & Allergy Relief Red Beets Topper
3. The Honest Kitchen Turkey Recipe
4. Brothers Complete Turkey Meal & Egg Formula
5. FORZA10 Nutraceutic Legend Skin Icelandic Fish Recipe

 

1. K9 Natural Lamb Green Tripe Booster Topper

Ingredient: New Zealand Lamb Green Tripe

Limited ingredient diet grain-free foods are a good choice for dogs with yeast infections. That is why K9 Natural’s Lamb Green Tripe Dog Food Topper is our top pick.

A dog food brand made with only one ingredient – freeze-dried grass-fed lamb green tripe, you’re assured that this low-carb diet does not contain any ingredients that will promote yeast growth.

Lamb tripe is loaded with probiotics, digestive enzymes, as well as essential fatty acids. Adding this to your pet’s diet would not only make your dog’s food highly palatable but would also strengthen your furball’s immune system and gut health.

It’s also worth knowing that this New Zealand-made product contains zero additives, zero artificial preservatives, and zero-grains.

Pros:

• Excellent immune system booster. Pet parents were pleased with this protein-rich lamb dog food’s health benefits. Their fidos were noticeably happier and energized. 
• A healthy treat. Expect your dogs to ask for seconds when you serve their dinner and breakfast with this grain-free dog food topper.
• Say goodbye to upset tummies. This formula worked wonders on dogs with sensitive stomachs.
• Suitable for pups with skin conditions. A dog owner gave this a thumbs up. His pet’s itching (which happened 24/7 from head to toe) finally reduced after adding this to his diet.

Con:

• Disgusting smell. Its scent might be appetizing for dogs, but a good number of fur moms and dads hated its poop-like odor. The good thing here is that it smells better than raw tripe.

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2. Olewo Dehydrated Red Beets for Dogs

Ingredient: Dehydrated red beets

Relieve your dog from the discomfort brought about by those dreaded yeasts with the help of Olewo’s Itch and Allergy Relief Dog Food Topper.

This anti-yeast diet mentions explicitly in the package that it is made for ear infections and yeast infections. You’ll seldom find this on pet food. As such, we can’t help but add this to our list of best dog food for yeast infections.

Made of dehydrated red beets grown on pesticide- and herbicide-free farms, this German-made dog food is made without any preservatives or additives that can exacerbate your dog’s skin condition.

But why feed your fur babies red beets?

Red beets contain health-boosting vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, potassium, folate, manganese, and fiber. These nutrients will help improve your dog’s digestion, calm inflammation and repair their skin and coats, and most importantly, strengthen their immune system.

Pros:

• Noticeable positive effects. Pups with food sensitivities, yeast infections, and skin issues (even those with chronic skin conditions) finally took a breather from all the itching. A good number of pet parents noticed an improvement within two days of eating this dog food.
• Made for all breeds. This anti-allergy dog food topper is for all dog breeds – small, medium, and large.
• Easy to prepare and store. Dog owners were delighted with its no-fuss preparation and storage. It quickly rehydrates after adding hot water.
• Energy-boosting. Apart from relieving them from their nonstop itching, this also improved their energy levels.
• Softer fur and better-looking skin. Pet parents love its effect on their fur babies’ coats and skin.

Cons:

• Fussy eaters may not like its taste. A small number of dogs turned their noses up and rejected it even when mixed with their regular food.
• Expect beet stains. If your dog is a messy eater, you might want to protect your floors from beet stains.

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3. The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Turkey Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Dehydrated Turkey, Organic Flaxseed, Dehydrated Potatoes, Dehydrated Spinach, Dehydrated Carrots

If you are a pet parent searching for a US-made dog food for yeast infections, then you’re in luck. Our list of best dog food for yeast infections includes The Honest Kitchen – a US brand that provides 100% human-grade dog food.

The Honest Kitchen’s company is made up of pet lovers who promise to nurture your pup’s health by giving them all-natural and whole foods. As proof, they came up with this grain-free dry dog food.

This one is loaded with pounds of cage-free turkey, so you’re guaranteed that your dogs are eating top-notch meat. A bunch of spinach, a handful of cranberries, and tons of other vitamins are included to give your BFF a complete and balanced diet.

And oh, did I mention that this is also free of grains, GMOs, preservatives, and by-products. This makes this formula another rightful contender in our list of best dog food for yeast problems despite having dehydrated potatoes in the first five ingredients.

Pros:

• Helped dogs with food allergies, ear infections, and gut problems. A good number of dog owners were all praises for its health benefits.
• Easy prep. Preparing this can be done in a jiffy. Just add water, stir well, wait for 3 minutes, and it’s all set.
• Dogs of various breeds can’t get over its turkey taste. This one got the votes of many pups for its heavenly flavor.

Cons:

• Stinky breath and body odor. A few dog owners complained about their dog developing an unpleasant odor after eating this formula.
• Visually unappealing. Since it is loaded with spinach, its green color looked unappetizing for a handful of fur parents.

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4. Brothers Complete Turkey Meal + Egg Formula

First 5 Ingredients: Turkey Meal, Whole Eggs Dried, Pea Starch, Cassava/Tapioca, Peas

If you’re on the lookout for an advanced allergy care grain-free dry dog food, the Brothers Complete Turkey Meal & Egg Formula is worth your consideration.

Made with over 90% animal protein source, this dog food includes turkey, chicken, and dried whole eggs. Its minimum crude protein content is 36%.

If your dogs are not into turkey meat, you can also try other flavors. Brothers Complete made sure to provide pet parents with a variety of options when it comes to taste. Flavors include lamb meal, goat meal, chicken meal, and venison meal.

Apart from containing high-quality animal proteins, this grain-free, GMO-free, and potato-free formula is also packed with digestive enzymes, prebiotics, and probiotics.

This will not only help soothe your dog’s itching but will also manage your dog’s weight and nourish their digestive health.

To seal the deal, this turkey meal dog food formula also meets AAFCO’s established nutritional levels for dog food nutrient profiles and is made for all life stages.

Pros:

• Reduced itching in a matter of weeks. Dogs with yeast infections and food sensitivities finally wagged their happy tails, all thanks to this grain-free dry dog food’s ability to alleviate the endless itching. 
• Helped with tummy problems. Pet parents liked this Brothers Complete dry dog food formula since it restored their pup’s gut health.
• Healthier skin and shinier coats. A dog owner was particularly pleased after seeing his dog’s full coat and nourished skin. His pup’s fur fell out after all the constant itching and scratching.
• Dogs love its turkey flavor. Many fur babies gave this formula five stars taste-wise and gobbled this dry dog food up in a few minutes.
• High-quality. Despite being pricey compared to other dry dog food products, the quality of this grain-free dry dog food is top-notch. These made fur moms and dads repeat customers.

Cons:

• Storage issues. Unlike other dog food brands that came in easy-to-seal bags, this turkey meal dry dog food diet isn’t. One wished it came in a zip-lock container.
• Carb-content. Since this is a dry dog food, manufacturers need to add a binding agent to make the kibbles. In this case, tapioca and legumes (which contain a fair amount of carbs) are included in its first five ingredients. 

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5. FORZA10 Nutraceutic Legend Skin Icelandic Fish Recipe

Ingredients: Salmon, Water Sufficient For Processing, Cod Liver

A limited ingredient diet like FORZA10’s Nutraceutic Legend Skin Icelandic Fish Recipe Grain-Free Canned food deserves to be one of our top picks. Why? You might ask.

Specifically designed for dogs with sensitive skin, this “Made in Iceland” anti-yeast dog food made sure to remove all the ingredients that would make your dog’s skin crawl. This includes starchy ingredients like wheat, corn, soy, and other types of fillers, meat by-products, GMOs, artificial flavors, and colors.

Besides leaving out all the allergy-causing ingredients, animal proteins like raw salmon and cod make up most of the mixture loading this diet with adequate amounts of Omega fatty acids.

Sage, dried rosehip, and cranberry extracts are also blended into the concoction. These antioxidants are known for their antiseptic properties and their ability to prevent tissue degeneration.

PROS:

• Effectively lessened/removed redness, scratching, and hot spots. Dog parents were amazed after seeing a significant improvement in their dogs’ skin issues. One even said that his dog’s itching stopped completely with the help of this limited ingredient diet salmon formula.
• Healthier skin and fluffier fur. Since this diet includes salmon in its top ingredients, you know that this is stuffed with Omega 3 fatty acids. Your pets can finally say good riddance to constant hair loss and say hello to fluffier mane and beautiful skin. 
• Addicting salmon flavor. Manufactured using clean, high-quality salmon, dogs go gaga over the fishy taste of this formula. 

CONS

• Strong, unpleasant odor. While dogs love this salmon diet, some fur parents were not fans of its fishy smell.

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Canine Yeast Infection: All You Need To Know

Yeast is a single-celled fungus. Malassezia pachydermatis, a type of fungus, is a normal inhabitant of the dog’s skin. These organisms are kept under control by their immune system.

So, when do these fungi create havoc?

Well, problems arise when there is an abnormal increase in the number of these single-celled organisms. As previously mentioned, it’s the immune system that keeps the lid on the number of yeasts. If the immune system starts to malfunction, this may lead to yeast overgrowth, which subsequently gives rise to yeast infection, aka yeast dermatitis.

Wondering if it’s contagious?

The short answer is NO. Yeast infection is not contagious. Thus, you don’t have to isolate your fur babies from their pack.

 

What Causes Yeast Infections in Dogs?

To find the best remedy, it’s always good to know the root cause. When it comes to canine yeast infections of yeast dermatitis (a springboard of ear infection and various skin issues), this is often caused by an underlying health problem that weakens the dog’s immune system.

You have probably heard about antibiotics, Immuno-suppressant drugs, trapped debris or objects in the ears, and excess skin oils being the cause of yeast problems. There is probably some truth to this. However, according to PetMD, there are no studies to validate this at the moment.

On the other hand, you’ll notice that yeast infections are commonly seen in dogs with food allergies and environmental allergies. Food allergy can be triggered by different types – from grains to meats, while environmental allergens may include dust, pollen, molds, and even yeast.

If you wish to find out the reason behind your dog’s yeast problems, it’s best if you seek the help of your vet.

Symptoms to Keep an Eye On

While yeast flourishes in damp and dark places like skin crevices, yeast infections can arise from any body part. The most common, however, are the following:

• Ears
• Paws
• Tail base
• Face or mouth,
• Armpits
• Belly
• Skin folds (especially for wrinkly dogs)

Now that you know which areas of your dogs’ body these organisms usually appear in, the next thing to do is to watch out for these signs. Remember: It’s always better to treat this in its initial stages to prevent serious damages like loss of hearing (caused by severe ear infections) and extreme behavioral disorders such as depression, anxiety, and aggression.

• Mild to severe itching in any part of the body
• Redness or swelling of the skin
• Other skin abnormalities including discoloration/hyperpigmentation, thickening, and scabbing or flaky/crusty skin
• Sweet/musty/pungent odor
• Hair loss
• Discharge of blood or waxy residue
• Repetitive movements like paw licking, rubbing, scratching, and head shaking

Dog Breeds Prone to Yeast Infections

All dog breeds can get a yeast infection; however, some breeds are more susceptible. Dogs with floppy ears are easy targets. Want to know if your dog belongs to the line prone to yeast infections? Check out the list below.

• American Cocker Spaniel
• Silky Terriers
• Basset Hounds
• Boxers
• Chihuahua
• Dachshunds
• English Setters
• Golden Retrievers
• Labrador Retrievers
• Lhasa Apso
• Maltese
• Poodles
• Shelties
• Shih Tzus
• West Highland White Terriers

Best Anti-Yeast Dog Food: Ingredients to Look For

If you”re a busy fur mom or dad who does not have any time to spare to cook your pooch a homemade anti-yeast dog food, then getting a store-bought food for yeast infections is your best bet.

Easy peasy, right?

Sadly, it’s not that simple since you will not find “Anti-Yeast or For Yeast Infection” in the labels. Don't worry, though, because there is a way to find the best anti-yeast dog food. Just keep an eye on these ingredients, and you're all set.

Beneficial Ingredients That Make Dog Food A Great Anti Yeast Diet

To help your pooch increase his or her chances of fighting off yeast infections, a healthy immune system must be achieved. The best way to pull this off is by looking for a dog food that has wholesome immune system boosting ingredients.  

• Fresh animal protein source like real lamb or lamb meal, and salmon or salmon meal
• Named animal fat sources
• Green leafy and low-starch or low-carb veggies such as seaweeds, spinach, and zucchini
• Fruits with low sugar content like raspberries
• Ingredients loaded with Omega fatty acids
• Prebiotics and probiotics
• Ingredients rich in dietary fiber like broccoli and berries
• Antioxidants that can be found in foods like kale and beets

Ingredients You’d Want To Avoid 

Now that you know what you want in your dog food’s ingredient list, here is a list of ingredients that you would like to avoid as much as possible. 

• Additives and preservatives
• Starchy foods like rice, corn, oatmeal, potato, and sweet potato
• Corn syrup
• Fruits with high sugar content like mangoes

It gets tricky from here since pet foods (especially dry dog food) usually contain ingredients used to bind the stuff together and keep the food fresh. The key here is to look for a limited ingredient diet filled with wholesome and natural ingredients. This way, you’re confident that the food your dog is eating only contains all the good stuff.

Adding to the confusion are the heated debates on carbs being the cause of yeast infection. You’ve probably heard from your vet that carbohydrates do not increase blood sugar levels.

However, the other side of the spectrum negates this. They say that yeast uses sugar or carbs as an energy source, thereby increasing the levels of blood sugar on your dog’s body, which will consequently lead to yeast growth. 

Both may have valid points. If you’re confused, the best course of action is to try both and find out which one actually works for your dog.

Keep in mind that dogs’ nutritional needs vary so much that there is no one-full-proof ingredient formula that will work for ALL dogs. 

Alternative Home Remedies For Your Dog With Yeast Infection

You’re probably a pet parent who has tried every type of dog food for yeast infection or limited ingredient diet grain-free foods in the isle? Perhaps you are one of the fur moms and dads who has consistently talked and followed the recommendations of your vet? After all the money and effort, your dog may not have shown any signs of improvement.

Sad but true, even the best dog foods for yeast infections may not affect your pup. Treating yeast infections in dogs, especially dogs with food allergies, can be tiresome, especially if you have a pooch suffering from a recurring yeast issue. 

Keep calm, though, because there are other safe and cheap treatment options you can try at home. While there are no studies available to back this up, we can’t ignore the good number of positive reviews these have been getting from both pet parents and holistic vets. In fact, some of these home remedies are highly recommended by wellness veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker.

• Add an antifungal ingredient to your dog’s food. This includes fermented veggies, oregano, coconut oil, thyme, garlic, and raw, organic apple cider vinegar.
• Disinfect infected areas at least once a day. If you’re applying topical creams in the infected areas, it is best to disinfect it first using witch hazel or store-bought solutions. You can do this when disinfecting ears but make sure to get rid of all the gunk using large cotton balls. Using q-tips is not recommended.
• Keep your dogs’ ears clean and dry. Cleaning will depend on how much debris and gunk your dog accumulates. If your dogs frequently get dirt and debris in their ears, then everyday cleaning must be done.
• Use natural, antifungal shampoos like those with tea tree oil to bathe dogs with skin infections. You can do this at least once a week or as often as necessary. Avoid using oatmeal shampoos. Make sure to leave the shampoo on the skin for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.
• Use antifungal rinses and sprays. Vinegar, essential oils (such as peppermint or lavender oil), and lemon juice can be used as an antifungal spray or rinse.

Final Thoughts

We’ll keep this part short and sweet.

Whatever type of treatment method or ingredient formula you choose to use, make sure to give this some time to take effect. Nothing happens in an instant.

You may also need to use a combination of the methods to see actual results. If you are one of the pet parents who think you have already tried everything, don’t lose hope. The appropriate treatment option for your furry pal might just be in the corner. You just need to keep searching and to keep an open mind.