Can Dogs Eat Nutritional Yeast?

Nutritional yeast or yeast extract has garnered a lot of popularity amongst health-conscious eaters. Due to its cheesy and umami taste, it’s often used as a nutritious flavor enhancer and cheese substitute in various dishes. 

But can you share nutritional yeast with your dog?

The short answer is yes! Dogs can eat nutritional yeast, but you shouldn’t confuse it with active yeast used for rising dough. They aren’t the same thing, and while nutritional yeast is safe and healthy for a dog, active yeast can be very dangerous for their health.

To avoid confusion between these two and understand what nutritional yeast is, let’s start with some basics.

What is Yeast, and how is Nutritional Yeast Made?

Yeasts are single-celled microorganisms that are classified as members of the fungus kingdom. Currently, there are at least 1,500 species of yeast recognized.

Baking and Brewer’s yeast are two popular types of yeast that are used to convert the sugars of the fruit into alcohol and generate carbon dioxide gas that causes the bread to rise. 

While shopping in a supermarket, you’re most likely to find baker’s yeast, which isn’t safe for a dog. If your dog accidentally licks some of this yeast, you should contact a veterinarian immediately. 

Brewer’s yeast, on the other hand, is safe for a dog. 

Can Dogs Eat Nutritional Yeast?

Another popular type of yeast is nutritional yeast, which is safe and healthy for a dog. It’s made by deactivating the yeast with heat, which is then harvested, washed, dried, and packaged to be sold commercially as a food product. 

In a store, you’ll find nutritional yeast in many forms, including yellow flakes, granules, paste, or powder. It can have a strong nutty or cheesy flavor that makes it a popular cheese substitute for vegans or people with lactose intolerance. 

Health Benefits of Nutritional Yeast for Dogs

Below are the 6 amazing health benefits of feeding nutritional yeast to your dog:

1. Rich Source of Protein:

Nutritional yeast is a complete protein as it contains all nine amino acids. This makes it a high-quality source of plant protein that you can add to your dog’s diet. 

A complete and well-balanced meal enriched with protein supplements like nutritional yeast will help support many critical functions in your dog’s body. It’ll help contribute to their healthy skin & coat, muscle development, immune health, and tissue repair.

2. Contains B Vitamins:

Nutritional yeast is often fortified with B complex vitamins. It contains high amounts of thiamine (B1) and vitamin B12, both of which help support brain health and boost cognitive function.

It’s also rich in vitamin B6, which is responsible for a healthy immune response, glucose generation, and nervous system function. Plus, it contains riboflavin (B2), which is heavily involved in the production of red blood cells in a dog’s body. 

But please note that these nutrients are added to the nutritional yeast during the manufacturing process. Thus, the exact nutritional value of the product will vary from one manufacturer to another. You can read the labels and ingredients to get a more clear understanding of which vitamins are present in the product.

3. Makes the Food More Appetizing:

If your dog is a fussy eater who turns up its nose at a certain type of food, then add some nutritional yeast or yeast extract to lure them into eating. The strong cheesy and umami taste of this yeast enhances the flavor of the food and makes it more delicious. 

4. Provides Many Essential Minerals:

Nutritional yeast contains many essential minerals like calcium, iron, selenium, zinc, potassium, magnesium, copper, and manganese. These minerals are required for the proper growth and development of a dog’s bones, muscles, and brain. They also support various enzyme functions in your dog’s body.

5. Can Reduce Inflammation:

Nutritional yeast contains glutathione and selenomethionine, two powerful antioxidants. They help protect the dog’s body from oxidation or damage caused by free radicals. It prevents unwanted inflammation and reduces the risk of chronic heart disease. 

Furthermore, antioxidants can also help improve your dogs’ skin and coat health and boost their immune system. If your dog is old, then the antioxidants present in nutritional yeast will also help relieve pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints.

6. Gluten-Free Supplement:

Nutritional yeast is naturally gluten-free, making it a great food supplement for dogs who suffer from gluten intolerance or celiac disease. 

It’s also dairy-free and vegan, which means that it’s highly unlikely that nutritional yeast will trigger any food sensitivity in your dog.