Treating Yeast in Dogs Naturally Through Diet and Supplements
Yeast infections in dogs, primarily caused by Candida and Malassezia, can be a persistent and troubling issue. Candida, a fungal pathogen, naturally resides in the gut and genital tract, while Malassezia, a skin-based yeast, thrives when the skin barrier is compromised. Addressing these infections involves a comprehensive approach to both diet and supplementation. This article explores natural methods to manage and treat yeast infections in dogs.
Understanding Yeast Infections in Dogs
Candida is a type of yeast naturally found in a dog’s gut and genital tract. It is usually kept in check by beneficial bacteria. However, an imbalance in the gut microbiome, often due to poor diet, stress, or underlying health issues, can lead to Candida overgrowth. This can cause symptoms such as itchy skin, excessive licking, and a distinctive odour.
Malassezia, on the other hand, is commonly associated with environmental allergies. When the skin barrier is damaged, this yeast can proliferate, leading to symptoms such as rust-coloured staining on the skin, persistent itching, and hair loss.
Malassezia is a genus of yeast that is part of the normal flora on the skin of many animals, including dogs. Canine Malassezia refers to infections or overgrowth of this yeast on a dog’s skin. While Malassezia is typically harmless and part of the natural skin microbiome, it can become problematic under certain conditions, leading to various skin issues.
Signs of a yeast infection
• Itchy skin or ears
• Red, inflamed, or irritated skin
• Unpleasant odor, especially from the ears or skin folds
• Frequent ear infections or head shaking
• Thickened or scaly skin
• Hair loss or bald patches
• Oily or greasy coat
• Dark or discoloured skin Especially in the groin or armpit areas.
Diarrhoea and or digestion issues
Hair loss on the base of tail/back
Reddish fur on paws and between paw pads
Gunky/reddish brown inside the ears with strong smell.
Heavy tear stains.
Yeast infections in dogs often resemble allergy symptoms, which can lead to misdiagnosis. It’s frequently only when the skin darkens or a distinctive yeasty odor appears that yeast is identified. To confirm the condition, consult your veterinarian for a yeast test or use a Feclab home testing kit . Keep in mind that allergies can coexist with yeast imbalances.
Dietary Approaches to Combat Yeast Infections
1. Fresh Food Diet: One of the primary steps in managing yeast infections is to transition from dry kibble to a fresh, balanced diet. Dry foods are often high in carbohydrates, which can fuel yeast growth. Additionally, the processing of kibble can produce Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs), which can exacerbate inflammation and yeast proliferation.
Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are compounds formed when proteins or lipids become glycated as a result of exposure to sugars. This process, known as glycation, occurs when sugars react non-enzymatically with amino acids in proteins or lipids. AGEs can form both inside the body and during the cooking process of foods, especially when high temperatures are involved.
A fresh diet, whether raw or home-cooked, minimizes starchy carbohydrates and reduces inflammation. For raw feeding, the recommended ratio is 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, and 10% secreting offal. Omega-3 sources like green lipped mussel and algae are beneficial, and low-starch vegetables such as broccoli and kale can be added gradually on opposite days to feeding meat.
2. Avoiding Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates in kibble can be a significant food source for yeast. By reducing high histamine/high starch carbohydrates, you limit the food supply for yeast and help maintain a healthier gut environment.
3.Avoid High Fat Diets: Interestingly, fat—not sugar—is a significant contributor to yeast problems, especially in cases like Malassezia dermatitis. This yeast thrives on fats and can cause symptoms such as oily skin, scales, redness, and hair loss. These symptoms are often mistaken for allergies, leading to ineffective treatments like steroids or antifungals.
4.Separate Carbohydrates and Proteins: Feeding fruit and vegetables separately from protein helps prevent digestive issues and waste buildup, which can feed yeast. While dogs are primarily meat eaters, small amounts of plant matter can be beneficial. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide essential nutrients and antioxidants.
5.Digestive Rest and Fasting: Regular fasting or intermittent fasting can benefit dogs with yeast issues by allowing the body to focus on healing rather than digestion. This approach can also prevent overfeeding, which can exacerbate yeast problems.
6.Avoiding High histamine foods: While fermented foods can be good for gut health, they may worsen yeast problems due to their histamine content and prebiotic properties that feed yeast rather than eliminate it. Examples include sauerkraut, kefir, apple cider vinegar, tripe, and probiotic yogurts. If yeast imbalance is suspected, these foods should be given with caution or avoided until balance is restored.
External factors to consider when managing and treating yeast
When addressing yeast infections in dogs, it is essential to avoid certain factors that can significantly worsen the condition. Vaccines, particularly those with ingredients that may damage the gut, can exacerbate yeast infections. The DHP vaccine, for instance, has been shown to have long-lasting effects on a dog's health, potentially disrupting gut flora and increasing susceptibility to yeast overgrowth. This gut damage impairs the body's ability to regulate yeast levels, making it crucial to carefully follow vaccination guidelines and avoid administering vaccines to dogs already suffering from yeast infections or those in poor health. Learn more about over vaccination here.
Antibiotic use, while sometimes necessary for bacterial infections, can also contribute to yeast problems. Antibiotics indiscriminately kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria in the gut, disrupting the delicate balance of the microbiome. This disruption creates an environment where opportunistic fungi like Candida can thrive unchecked. Overuse or inappropriate use of antibiotics can therefore lead to an overgrowth of yeast, worsening the infection and complicating recovery.
Chemical flea and worm medications, especially those that are internal or chewable, pose another risk. These products, designed to target parasites, can also negatively impact gut health by disrupting the microbiome and increasing the likelihood of yeast overgrowth. Switching to natural pest control methods can help mitigate this risk, as natural products are less likely to harm the gut flora and contribute to yeast problems.
Stress is another critical factor that can aggravate yeast infections. Stress triggers inflammation in the gut and reduces the levels of beneficial gut microbes, further destabilizing the microbiome. This weakened state makes it easier for Candida to proliferate. Managing stress through calm environments and dietary supplements such as magnesium can help support your dog’s overall health and reduce the impact of stress on yeast infections.
Addressing these factors through careful management and the use of natural alternatives can significantly improve your dog's ability to recover from yeast infections and maintain a healthier balance of gut microbiota.
Supplements for Managing Yeast
1. Gut Healing Supplements: Restoring gut health is crucial for managing yeast infections. Supplements such as Slippery Elm, Marshmallow Root, and Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice help soothe and repair the gut lining. A product like Gut soothe includes these mucilage herbs, along with probiotics which can be beneficial in balancing the gut microbiome.
2. Probiotics: Probiotics are essential for rebalancing the gut microbiome. Specific strains such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Saccharomyces boulardii can help outcompete harmful yeast and bacteria, promoting a healthier gut environment. Learn more about choosing a probiotic for your dog here and you can learn more about SBO probiotics here.
3. Turmeric: Known for its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, turmeric (or its active compound, Curcumin) can help combat yeast infections. Liposomal Curcumin is a highly bioavailable form that may offer additional benefits. However, turmeric should be avoided if your dog is on anticoagulant medication or has upcoming surgery.
4. Neem Leaf: Neem has shown antifungal effects against Candida and may inhibit yeast growth. It can be a powerful addition to your dog’s supplement regimen.
5. Kelp: Kelp is rich in antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, creating a less favourable environment for yeast.
6.Pau D’arco: Originating from South America, Pau d'arco has been used for centuries to treat various ailments. Its active compounds, naphthoquinones, are known to effectively combat fungi, including yeast. For dogs, the recommended dosage is 12 mg per pound of body weight, administered three times daily. If symptoms worsen, take breaks to allow the body to detox before resuming treatment.
7. Oregano and Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE): Oregano, particularly its oil, has antifungal properties, while GSE is known for its strong antifungal effects against Candida.
Supporting Liver Health
Yeast produces toxins that can strain the liver. Supporting liver health with supplements such as Milk Thistle (which contains Silymarin), The silymarin in milk thistle acts as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, protecting the liver from toxins. Other helpful detoxifiers include chlorella, bentonite clay, zeolite clay, and humic/fulvic acid. Ginger, dandelion, and others can also help detoxify and protect the liver. Additionally products such as liver detox from four leaf rover or liver tonic from adored beast can assist with your dogs detox.
The yeasty beast protocol from adored beast apothecary has been a great help in killing off the bacteria for many dogs. It is a 3 product kit of natural products and can be bought in the uk, USA and Canada.
Temporary irritation in the skin in the form of detoxification zones might occur as toxins are expelled from the body. In dogs, “detox zones” or areas where toxins are thought to leach out through the skin are not formally recognized in veterinary medicine as specific diagnostic terms. However, the concept is often discussed in holistic and alternative health contexts. These zones are believed to be areas where the skin manifests symptoms related to the body’s effort to expel toxins or deal with systemic imbalances.
Addressing Allergies and Intolerances
Allergies and intolerances can exacerbate yeast infections by causing gut inflammation and immune system disruption. Addressing these underlying issues is crucial. If allergies are suspected, check out our articles to learn more about addressing them first;
External Products for Yeast Management
1. Epsom Salt Soaks: Soaking the paws daily can help to soothe irritated paws and remove toxins from the skin alternatively using bicarbonate soda can also help.
2. Colloidal Silver: An anti-fungal agent that may be helpful for external yeast infections.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar: The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar can inhibit yeast growth when applied topically.
4. Natural Shampoos and allergy sprays: we recommend only using natural shampoos (learn more about this here) additionally, the Helios pet shampoo or the Provilan LUCAA+ shampoo can help repopulate the skin’s microbiome and support skin health. Additionally, we’ve found utilising the LUCCA allergy spray to alleviate the side effects from yeast has been greatly beneficial and soothing.
If your dog has yeast in the ears, consider using the LUCCA ear spray which can also help to bring microbial balance.
LUCCA products can be bought globally via distributors;
UK; Ingenious probiotics (use code THCKCS15 for 15% off all first orders)
5. Propythium: Pythium Oligandrum: A Beneficial Soil Organism is a harmless, yeast-like microorganism that thrives in soil. Among over 50 known species, P. oligandrum is notable for its role around plant roots. It survives through mycoparasitism, where it feeds on other fungi by consuming their nutrients and killing them. This process involves the production of zoospores that target and destroy more fungi and their spores. Additionally, P. oligandrum secretes enzymes that inhibit bacterial growth in its vicinity without significantly altering the host's bacterial flora. Once its resources are exhausted, it encapsulates and leaves, allowing normal microflora to reestablish. In skin care, P. oligandrum is complemented by medicinal-grade olive oil, vitamin E, and silica, which help repair damaged skin. Propythium comes in tablet, oil and ear cleaner form.
Conclusion
Treating yeast infections in dogs naturally involves a holistic approach that combines dietary changes, targeted supplements, and supportive external treatments. By focusing on a fresh, balanced diet and incorporating beneficial supplements, you can help manage and potentially resolve yeast issues in your dog.
As always, we recommend that you consult with your holistic veterinarian before making significant changes to your pet’s diet or supplement regimen. If you encounter persistent issues, professional guidance may be necessary to tailor a treatment plan specific to your dog's needs - we highly recommend reaching out to a specialist like Theresa Young, The Canine Wellness Specialist who specialises in yeasty and itchy dogs.
