The Advantages Outweigh The Risks
In addition to antibiotics causing GI tract disorders, chronic diarrhea, flatulence and appetite loss, other factors such as poor diet, stress, environmental changes and non-antibiotic prescription drugs can also deplete beneficial bacteria in the dogs intestines. Probiotics not only promote growth of good bacteria in your dogs intestines but will also:
- Improve digestive processes by facilitating breakdown of consumed food, absorption of vitamins and minerals and removal of toxic waste products
- May help reduce minor food intolerances and their side effects
- Reduces inflammation in the GI tract to relieve diarrhea or constipation
- Increases energy levels by eliminating some chronic health conditions
- Promotes manufacturing of folic acid, biotin and B vitamins
- Stimulates and regulates all components of the canine immune system
- Helps degrade and neutralize food toxins and carcinogens
- Keeps hormone levels balanced and regulated
- May reduce the risk of female dogs suffering urinary tract infections
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Dog Nutrition : What Kind Of Food Does Your Dog Need For Yeast Infection
Different dog breeds have different nutritional needs, and so do dogs in various stages of their life.
Large breed puppies need carefully balanced amounts of calcium and phosphorus to ensure proper joint development.
Teeny tiny puppies will need more calories to sustain their fast metabolisms, plus they reach maturity much sooner than larger breeds.
On the other hand, senior dogs require fewer calories and may need softer dog food, depending on their activity level and dental health.
On the topic of activity level, the diet of adult dogs should help keep them at an optimum weight.
Symptoms Of Yeast Overgrowth In Dogs
Yeast overgrowth is uncomfortable for your dog. Here are some of the signs you might see:
- Dark rusty-red hair between the toes
- Chewing or licking the feet
- Seasonal allergies
- Hair loss on the tail or upper back
If your dog has more than one of these signs, it could be yeast. And theres a way to manage it with homemade dog food for yeast overgrowth.
So heres what to feed when a dog has yeast overgrowth.
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Homemade Dog Food Recipe For Yeast Overgrowth
Here’s a recipe you can use to help manage your dog’s yeast overgrowth.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground turkey 1/2 pound chicken hearts, chopped1 oz beef liver , chopped2 eggs without shells2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar2 Tbsp ground pumpkin seeds2 tsp turmeric2 tsp garlic2 tsp ginger
Omega-3 oil 1/2 tsp Himalayan pink salt
Directions
Mix up the meat and organs. Add in the vegetables and eggs. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. When adding Safe-Sea or fish oil, use 3/4 tsp for a 50-pound dog or the same amount per 1 lb of food.
This makes about 2 lbs of food. Feed a 50 lb dog about 16 oz and adjust according to your dogs weight. The recipe can be doubled or tripled for larger dogs.
Whats Causing My Dogs Allergies
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from a range of allergies.
There are atopy allergies , contact allergies , flea allergies and asthma. Allergies to foods such as beef, chicken, fish, corn, wheat, soy, eggs and dairy are also common.
Again, like humans, some dogs will sneeze and itch and have red, irritated eyes, while others will suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, hair loss, raw skin, an upset tummy and ear infections. Symptoms will vary, but they all impact your pets quality of life.
Treatments such as steroids, antihistamines or allergy shots may provide temporary relief, but theyre essentially band-aid solutions that don’t address the root cause of the problem. Some treatments also come with harsh side effects.
To get to the bottom of the issue, its important to pinpoint the trigger of your dogs allergic reaction. This is easier said than done , as they could be allergic to something simple like one protein or food ingredient, or there could be multiple allergies at play.
Your vet can test for allergies, including environmental and food, but another effective way of figuring out the problem is a limited ingredient diet, which is something you can do at home.
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The Best Foods For Dogs With Allergies
The following may contain Chewy links. PetMD is operated by Chewy.
Humans arent the only ones with allergiesour dogs can get them, too. Canine allergies can lead to numerous skin conditions that can be frustrating to manage. These allergies can be due to environmental causes or from the food our dogs eat.
What Kind Of Snacks Can I Feed A Dog With Kidney Disease
Our dogs seriously LOVE snack time, but snack time has had to seriously change! Dogs with kidney disease should avoid meat based chews/treats that are high in phosphorus, so you may find that you need to explore new types of treats for your dog instead. My probiotic rich Pumpkin & Yogurt Bowlsare our dog’s favorite treat these days! They also really enjoy thin apple slices, blueberries, and fresh banana chunks. When it comes to crunchy chews they both are SUPER into dehydrated banana chips, pumpkin, and sweet potato. I swear, our dog’s drool for them like they are the jerky chews we used to treat them with!
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Final Thoughts On 25 Best Dog Foods For Itchy Skin In 2022
No matter what the cause of your dogâs itchy skin is, there are a few things you can do to help provide relief. By following the tips above and working with your veterinarian, you can help your dog find relief from their itchiness and get back to enjoying life.
Donât forget to switch your dogâs food to one of the best dog foods for itchy skin featured here today as a first step in solving your dogâs itchy situation.
How To Treat Yeast Infections In Dogs
First off, if you suspect your dog has a yeast infection, it’s best to have a chat with your vet to confirm the diagnosis. Yeast infections are easily diagnosed by your vet in clinic using a swab from the ear or sticky tape impression of the skin, stained and viewed under the microscope.
Armed with a diagnosis, the first step to adressing a yeast infection of the skin in dogs is to use topical treatments including medicated shampoo like Malaseb. Be sure to follow your vet’s directions with regards to how often to use the treatment, for instance Malaseb is usually used twice weekly, leaving the foam to stand for 10 minutes before rinsing away. In some cases your vet may also prescribe an oral anti fungal medication to try and get on top of the infection.
Top products for managing yeast infections in dogs
PAW Mediderm Gentle Medicated Shampoo is a low irritant, antibacterial and antifungal treatment that effectivly treats and controls skin infections.
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Things To Look For In The Best Dog Food For Yeast Infections
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in a dog food for yeast infections:
- Whole meat or meat meal proteins heading up the ingredients list
- Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
- Enriched with probiotics, digestive enzymes, and helpful supplements
- Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
- Contains no added sugar
Ask Your Vet About Specialised Veterinary And Prescription Diet Options
Even though it is unlikely that your dog is allergic to yeast in their food, there can still be some benefit to making a few changes to their diet. Increasing the amount of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids in the diet can help to support the natural barrier function of the skin, reducing itching, flaking and dryness. Prescription veterinary diets such as Hill’s Prescription Diet Derm Defense and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Skin Support contain high levels of anti inflammatory omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, as well as other ingredients to support skin barrier function. As these are specialised therapeutic diets, it’s important that you check with your vet prior to use to ensure that they are suitable in your dog’s individual circumstances.
Top therapeutic vet diets for supporting skin health
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Topical Treatments For A Dog Yeast Infection
If we permit the infection to fester deep in the ear canals, oral medicines and even surgeries may be required. So lets try a few things first before those things are even considered.
The good news is there are lots of natural ways to take care of a yeast infection in a dogs ear. The best method appears to be garlic oil with mullein.
Check out those reviews, many for humans but many for dogs too. All for ears!
How to use it?
Simply soak a cotton swab with the oil and make his ear nice and juicy. You can even drop it in, if he allows you. You need that ear nice and juicy so you can massage it right down to the bottom of their L-shaped ear canal.Another gentle solution that will restore the pH level in the ears and help eliminate all gunks and nasty smells is Apple Cider Vinegar .
ACV essentially extracts the water from the yeast cells, killing it straight away. Its also an excellent anti-bacterial solution, which can often get into minor scratches made in the ear from the dog scratching at his poor ears.
If you want to properly clean more significant parts of your dogs whole body, then using a natural anti-fungal shampoo might help them.
The Anti-Bac, Anti-Fungal Itchy Dog Skin Shampoo from Cooper & Gracie seems to be going down extremely well with people treating yeast infections in dogs. Again, all those reviews dont lie.
Also, make sure to dry your dog well after his bath!
Nulo Small Breed Freestyle Limited
PetListed Verdict:
Featuring a single protein, Nulo small breed freestyle is available in either a turkey or salmon recipe, and is made without most common allergens. The brand also boasts a patented probiotic to promote digestive health. Multiple bag sizes are available if youd like to test out the food before making an investment.
Key Features:
- Ingredients include essential vitamins and minerals
- Added information about dog allergies included
- Suitable for dogs of all life stages
Cons:
- Very expensive. At only 2 pounds of food per bag, some customers are saying this brand is better as a treat rather than a full meal
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Why Is Dog Food Designed For Pets With Allergies So Expensive
Keep in mind that food created for the specific purpose of preventing allergies involves more effort on the part of the manufacturer. There are research and development costs in order to find formulas that contain all the necessary nutrients your dog needs, as well as sourcing higher quality ingredients than are found in regular dog foods. In other words, the manufacturer spends more money making the food, and that cost is reflected in the price.
Theres a wide range of prices that can be found when purchasing limited ingredient or hypoallergenic food so its likely you can find one that fits your budget and also keeps your dog allergy free. However, when you take into consideration the vet bills you end up paying when your dog experiences severe allergies, it can actually end up being more cost effective to proactively invest in a high quality dog food. Not only does it make your dog feel better, youll have peace of mind knowing your best friend is feeling good.
Instinct By Natures Variety Limited Ingredient
As you will find out later on, one way to prevent yeast infections from your dog is to limit the number of ingredients you feed him. Natures Variety Instinct Dog Food is one such pet food that has a limited ingredient formula. Its grain-free, meaning that it does not pose any risk of allergies.
The primary ingredient in this dog food is lamb meal, which makes it a fantastic option for proteins. Another perk of having lamb meal as the key ingredient is the fact that it makes this dog food very tasty.
One drawback of Natures Variety limited ingredient is the inclusion of peas, which is a carbohydrate. On the brighter side, peas are very common in dog foods and they are highly digestible. The easier your dog can digest food, the lower the risk of developing any allergies.
Zignature dry dog food is another example of a limited ingredient formula. But, rather than use lamb meal, this one uses trout and salmon mealobtained from Northwestern USA. It also has wholesome peas, chickpeas, and flax seed.
Being a meat-first recipe, the Zignature limited ingredient provides your pooch with all the proteins he needs for proper growth and development. Combine the trout and salmon with a ton of antioxidants and essential fatty acids to end with a nutrient-dense dog food for your furry friend.
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How To Diagnose A Yeast Infection In Your Dog
The only definitive way to diagnose yeast infections in dogs is to consult a veterinarian. If you bring your pet to the clinic, the vet will confirm the infection through a method called cytology or cytopathology. By taking a hair or skin sample from the affected area of your dog, the vet will review it under a microscope to determine if it is a yeast infection or not.
If the infected area is inside the ear canals, then the vet will do further tests to determine if its only a yeast infection or if its related to other causes of dog ear infections as well.
Recommended Serving Amounts For Homemade Dog Food
As a general rule, dogs will eat around 2 to 3 percent of their ideal body weight in fresh food daily. Larger breeds may need as little as 1 1/2 percent, and smaller breeds may need as much as 4 percent.
This works out to be approximately:
- 2 pounds of food per day for a 100-pound dog
- 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of food per day for a 50-pound dog
- 1/2 to 3/4 pound of food per day for a 25-pound dog
- 5 to 6 1/2 ounces of food per day for a 10-pound dog
There is much variation in what the ideal amount should be as it depends on how much your dog weighs and how active she is.
I feel that the best approach is to feed and watch if your dog is losing weight, give more, and if your dog is gaining weight, give less.
For our pugs, we feed a scoop each in the morning and a scoop each in the evening, plus all their supplements.
We have an easy system for this: homemade food is refrigerated in a sealed container with a measuring cup , and all the supplements are lined up together in a cupboard in the kitchen. Keeping your ingredients organized and accessible will make feeding time fast and smooth.
Compared to feeding commercial food, where you might scoop out kibbles or open up a can, feeding homemade food with all the supplements takes maybe 10 seconds more. And even if it took 10 minutes more, fresh wholesome food for our furbabies is worth it.
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How To Stop Dog Hair Loss
Checking for fleas in the house, ruling out mange, and keeping your dog calm may help prevent hair loss. You should also consider the type of dog food they are eating, and if the symptoms are mild, you should investigate hypoallergenic dog food options. If you don’t notice any improvement, consult your veterinarian to rule out any more serious conditions.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet to accurately diagnose your pet’s condition.
How Do The Symptoms Of Dog Food Allergy And Intolerance Compare
The symptoms of an allergy can include skin rash, hives, itching, paw biting, obsessive licking and sometimes nausea or vomiting.
The signs of food intolerance include digestive distress, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Again, lets use milk as an example
A milk intolerance would look more like gastric distress. This can include symptoms like gas, bloating or diarrhea.
However, a milk allergy would produce an immune reaction .
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Farmina N& d Ancestral Grain Lamb & Blueberry
The Farmina Natural & Delicious line is designed to not give your dog too many carbohydrates, which can cause stomach and gut issues. Use this for dogs with food allergies or intolerances, sensitive stomachs or diabetes. The grains are made from a 60/40 pre-cooking mixture of clean lamb protein and mostly sweet vegetables like blueberries. Farminas N& D Ancestral Grain Lamb & Blueberry recipe is made with high-quality lamb for a protein that easily digests and is easy on the stomach. Low glycemic, this food also contains spelt and oats to give it an even tastier flavor without being grain-free!
This yummy low-carbohydrate food has all natural ingredients that make your pup healthier from their teeth to their skin. In addition, this low calorie diet will help maintain an ideal weight while giving them all the taste they want in every package. The ancestral grains like wheat are much lighter than rice because there is less starch so theyre easier on both teeth and digestive system.
Key Features:
How Will I Know Which Food Is Best For My Dog
Finding the best food for your dog is really a matter of trial and error. Theres no one fits all answer for this question. A food that works for one dog may not be good for the next one.
Factors to consider in choosing a food include the cost, your vets recommendations, and your pets reaction to the food. A good starting place is to find a food with totally different ingredients than the food your dog was eating when the issue started.
If youre unable to do that, the next best thing is to select a food with a new protein and a limited number of ingredients. That way, if your dog continues to have issues, it becomes easier to compare the few new ingredients to those in the previous food. If you find any ingredients are in both, youll then have your suspect list for which item your dog is reacting to. You can also buy food formulated for certain breeds, such asdog food for golden retrievers.
It may also be a good idea to evaluate the treats youre giving your dog. Sometimes all natural dog treats still can have ingredients you wouldnt necessarily want to give your dog. Finding treats specifically made for dogs with allergies or other healthy dog treat options are a good starting point.
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