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.
What Are Yeast Infections in Dogs?
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:
- Skin redness and irritation
- Itchy skin/scratching
- Strong odor from ears or skin
- Shaking head or pawing at ears (if an ear infection is present)
- Licking paws or skin
- Brown-tinged staining on hair from excessive licking
Why Do Yeast Infections Occur in Dogs?
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:
- Skin diseases such as allergies
- Hormonal disorders
- Autoimmune disease
- Conditions that cause an overproduction of oils or keratin in the skin
- Genetic predispositions for excess oil production
- Excess skin folds.
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.
What is the Best Food to Feed Dogs with Yeast Infections?
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.
Carbohydrates
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.
Food Allergies
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.
Effective Treatments for Yeast Infections
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:
- Topical antifungal wipes, rinses, or creams
- Antifungal ear medications (if there's an ear infection)
- Antifungal oral medications (often prescribed when the infection covers a very large area or cannot be treated topically)
Additional testing may be necessary for dogs with recurring yeast infections to get to the bottom of the underlying cause.
How to Prevent Yeast Infections in Dogs
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:
- Flea and Tick Prevention: Make sure your pup is on a monthly preventative for fleas and ticks.
- Clean Skin Folds: Ask your vet about using wipes on your dog's skin in areas that are hard to keep clean and dry.
- Antifungal & Antiseptic Shampoo: Some dogs will benefit from regular baths with an antifungal and antiseptic shampoo.
- Ear Cleaning: Check your dog's ears regularly and clean the ears if needed. Use a dog-specific ear cleaner with a drying agent to help keep the ear canals clean and prevent yeast infections.