Here is my detailed guide to the best yeast free dog foods in 2022.
There are several reasons you may want to buy yeast-free dog food for your canine. This can be sensitivity, allergies, or yeast infection.
And which dog food should you choose? Don’t worry; I’ve spent over an entire day finding the answer. In my article, you can find the best products. None of them contain yeast; in fact, the ingredients in them are not conducive to yeast fungi’ growth.
Best of all is the Zignature Zssential Multi-Protein Formula. From my article, you can also determine if yeast is harmful to dogs and why it is found in so many dog foods.
You will also find information on the symptoms of yeast infection and its treatment. So you might want to read the full article.
Let’s get started!
What are the best Yeast Free Dog Foods?
- Zignature Zssential Multi-Protein Formula
- The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Diet
- Nutrisca Grain-Free Salmon & Chickpea Recipe
- Stella & Chewy’s Stella’s Super Beef Meal Mixers
- I and Love and You Nude Super Food
- Brothers Complete Lamb Meal & Egg Formula
- Earthborn Holistic Venture Limited Ingredient
- Pinnacle Turkey & Pumpkin Recipe
- Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
- CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Petite Salmon Formula
10 Best yeast free dog food reviews
Below I have selected the top 10 dog foods for the problem. These recipes will not only be yeast-free, but they will also contain high-quality ingredients. In addition, they will contain little sugar and starch. This is because these two ingredients are very conducive to the growth of yeast fungi.
Zignature Zssential Multi-Protein Formula
Key features:
- The first 5 ingredients are Turkey, Turkey Meal, Salmon, Lamb Meal, Duck Meal
- Carefully sourced ingredients
- Contains a lot of protein, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals
- Features fiber-rich, low-glycemic carbohydrates
- Free of corn, wheat, soy, dairy, and chicken
When it comes to quality, Zignature is definitely one of the brands that come to mind. This recipe doesn’t contain yeast, but that’s not the only reason I chose it for my list. The first five ingredients are some types of meats or meat meals.
This means that its protein content is very high, and the starch content required for yeast to survive is low.
Turkey, Turkey Meal, Salmon, Lamb Meal, and Duck Meal are sources of protein that provide all the necessary amino acids but rarely cause sensitivity or allergies.
Besides, meals are an excellent source of glucosamine and chondroitin. This means that you also support your dog’s joints with this diet.
Chickpeas, Peas, Chickpeas Flour, and Pea Flour are low-glycemic carbohydrate sources that are less supportive of yeast reproduction, such as potatoes or potato starch. And their fiber content supports digestion.
Sunflower Oil, Flaxseed, and Salmon Oil are sources of fat whose omega fatty acid content has a good effect on dogs’ skin, coat, and overall health.
The added vitamins and minerals also support the immune system to the maximum. If your dog has a yeast infection, is prone to it, or is sensitive to yeast, be sure to consider this product.
It’s suitable for all sizes of adult dogs or puppies.
The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Diet
Key features:
- The first 5 ingredients are Dehydrated White Fish, Dried Organic Coconut, Dried Chickpeas, Dehydrated Pumpkin, Dehydrated Celery
- A limited ingredient recipe
- Great source of vitamins and minerals
- Made without corn, wheat, soy, or added sugars
- Human-grade quality
The Honest Kitchen manufactures human-grade dehydrated dog food. This means that the ingredients are carefully selected. During dehydration, protein, carbohydrates, and fat sources retain their nutrient content.
Serving is effortless. All you have to do is add water to the product. This food provides the perfect nutrition for dogs of all sizes and ages.
It is gluten and grain-free and does not contain harmful artificial chemicals and cheap fillers. The number of ingredients is limited, so dogs with sensitive stomachs can consume it as well.
The main protein source is Dehydrated White Fish, which is very digestible and an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids promote coat and skin health.
The product contains suitable carbohydrate sources for dogs with yeast infections. Chickpeas and Pumpkin have high fiber content and low glycemic and starch content.
Organic Coconuts, Celery, and Spinach add additional fiber and valuable vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals to the recipe. Incidentally, vitamins and minerals are also found in the added form in this food.
The only downside to this product is that it is a bit pricey. On the other hand, for me personally, this is usually not a problem. I know full well that it is maximally true that you get what you pay for in the pet food industry. Be sure to consider this wonderful product.
Nutrisca Grain-Free Salmon & Chickpea Recipe
Key features:
- The first 5 ingredients are Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Peas, Chickpeas, Salmon Meal
- Made without potatoes, corn, wheat, and soy
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids
- Chelated minerals help with nutrient absorption
- Chickpeas are good sources of fiber and protein
Nutrisca is a lesser-known brand, but the quality of its products is impeccable. This recipe is ideal for adult dogs of all sizes. Because it does not contain grains, potatoes, or other high-starch carbohydrate sources, it is suitable for dogs prone to yeast infection.
The main protein sources are Salmon and Menhaden Fish Meal. Not only do they contain all the essential amino acids, but they are easy to digest and are rich sources of omega fatty acids. This way, you can be sure that your dog’s skin and coat will also be supported.
Peas and Chickpeas are legumes that do not raise your dog’s blood sugar. They have a high fiber content, which has a good effect on digestion.
The product’s fat sources (Sunflower Oil, Flaxseed, and Salmon Oil) contain even more valuable omega fatty acids. And that’s still not all.
The added vitamins and minerals support your dog’s immune system, preparing it for yeast infections and other diseases.
Stella & Chewy’s Stella’s Super Beef Meal Mixers
Key features:
- The first 5 ingredients are Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Beef Heart, Beef Tripe
- Made with grass-fed beef raised without hormones or antibiotics
- Real raw nutrition
- Free of grains, gluten, fillers, artificial preservatives, or colorings
- Made in the US
Stella & Chewy’s products provide a real raw diet for dogs. This is since a significant portion of the ingredients in animal sources.
The currently reviewed recipe includes beef and various internal organs (liver, kidney, heart, etc.). This gives an impressive 44% protein content, so this diet is actually similar to the diet of dogs’ ancestors.
There is no source of carbohydrates with a high sugar or starch content among the ingredients. Therefore, this product will be suitable for dogs sensitive to yeast or who have a yeast infection.
Organic fruits and vegetables (cranberries, blueberries, carrots, squash, spinach, broccoli, etc.) support the digestive system of the canine with a lot of fiber. Also, their vitamin and mineral content is significant, helping the immune system to function.
And the benefits are not over here. After all, the added vitamins, minerals, and prebiotics make this special recipe perfectly balanced and healthy.
I and Love and You Nude Super Food
Key features:
- The first 5 ingredients are Pork, Beef Meal, Herring Meal, Peas, Chickpeas
- Grain-free, high-protein, heart-shaped kibble
- Contains digestive enzymes, prebiotics, and probiotics
- Also contains flaxseeds, coconut oil, and turmeric
- Crafted for dogs of all ages
This brand is not the best known in the pet food market, but this product deserves a place on my list. The recipe contains everything you need to keep your dog healthy.
The 34% protein content is mainly in Pork, Beef Meal, Herring Meal, Pea Protein, and Dried Egg products.
They are all excellent sources of protein. Their digestibility and amino acid content contribute to building and maintaining lean muscle mass. Other high-quality protein sources are also in the recipe, such as Wild Boar and Pork Liver.
The main carbohydrate sources are Peas and Chickpeas. These legumes are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Carbohydrates of this nature are suitable for dogs who want to avoid yeast or have a yeast infection.
The product contains starch, but this is only the ninth in the order of the ingredients.
Different fat sources (Canola Oil, Flaxseeds, Olive Oil) add vital fatty acids to the diet. These fatty acids play a key role in many bodily processes. Yeast infection has a bad effect on dogs’ skin, so omega-3 and omega-6 intake are essential.
In addition to the benefits listed so far, the product contains plenty of added vitamins, minerals, and prebiotics. These are the nutrients that boost the immune system properly.
Brothers Complete Lamb Meal & Egg Formula
Key features:
- The first 5 ingredients are Lamb Meal, Dried Whole Eggs, Turkey Meal, Cassava/Tapioca, Pea Flour
- Made with free-range lamb and low-glycemic carbs
- Contains digestive enzymes
- Suitable for all sizes of breeds
- Contains probiotics, and omega fatty acids
Brothers’ dog food does not contain yeast and also contains minimal starch. For this reason, it is a perfect choice if your dog has a yeast infection or is prone to this condition.
Lamb Meal, Dried Whole Eggs, and Turkey Meal provide a significant portion of the 30% protein content. These are high-quality sources, and meals are high in glucosamine and chondroitin. These two compounds play an important role in joint health.
Carbohydrates are provided by Tapioca, Pea Flour, and Pea Starch. They are highly digestible and low-glycemic sources.
Starch favors the growth of yeast fungi, but this ingredient is only in sixth place. For this reason, I think it doesn’t contain too much to be harmful to your dog’s yeast infection. In any case, consult your veterinarian about this.
The main source of fat is Chicken Fat, which makes this food tasty and healthy for dogs.
Added vegetables, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and probiotics make this recipe a very healthy alternative. If you are looking for yeast-free dog food, be sure to consider this Brothers product.
Earthborn Holistic Venture Limited Ingredient
Key features:
- The first 5 ingredients are Rabbit Meal, Pumpkin, Tapioca, Alaska Pollock Meal, Sunflower Oil, Flaxseed
- Limited ingredient recipe
- Free from grains, gluten, potato, colors, fillers, by-products, and artificial preservatives
- Contains vitamins, and minerals
- Made in the US
The Earthborn recipe is the perfect option if you’re looking for yeast-free dog food. The main protein sources are Rabbit Meal and Alaska Pollock Meal.
Not only are they well digestible, but they are good sources of glucosamine. This is how they support the joints of the canines.
Pumpkin and Tapioca are very healthy sources of carbohydrates, full of vitamins, fiber, and minerals. Also, they do not support the growth of yeast fungi as much as potatoes.
Sunflower Oil and Flaxseed are excellent sources of fat, high in omega fatty acids. This is good news for the health of your dog’s skin and coat.
The added vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and probiotics make the recipe truly complete and balanced. Thanks to these ingredients, you can be sure that your dog’s immune system will also be maximally supported.
Pinnacle Turkey & Pumpkin Recipe
Key features:
- The first 5 ingredients are Turkey, Turkey Meal, Peas, Pea Flour, Garbanzo Beans
- Grain-free dry dog food with high-quality ingredients
- Made with quinoa seed
- Contains antioxidants
- Free of corn, wheat, soy, or white potatoes
This product has protein sources such as Turkey and Turkey Meal. These are highly digestible meats that provide all the necessary amino acids.
Peas, Pea Flour, Garbanzo Beans, and Pumpkin are high in fiber and other useful nutrients. This allows you to support your dog’s immune system and intestines.
The added fermentation products serve as prebiotics, thus creating a favorable environment for beneficial probiotics. Probiotics and a healthy gut flora play a key role in the fight against yeast fungi.
Canola Oil, Flaxseed, and Salmon Oil are healthy fat sources with a high omega fatty acid content. Your dog’s skin will be healthy, and his coat will be shiny.
Additional vitamins and minerals are included in this recipe, which greatly contributes to a healthy immune system’s functioning.
Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe
Key features:
- The first 5 ingredients are Salmon, Garbanzo Beans, Peas, Menhaden Fish Meal, Pea Starch
- Supports muscle development
- A grain-free diet
- Free of corn, wheat, or artificial colors, and flavors
- Contains added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed for active dogs
Nature’s Recipe proves to be the right choice because of its excellent ingredients. Plus, this is the most affordable formula on my list. If you are on a budget, be sure to consider it.
Instead of the usual high-sugar and high-starch carbohydrate sources, we find ingredients like Garbanzo Beans, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, and Pumpkin here. These are high-quality, nutrient-rich plants.
Ingredients include Pea Starch, which means that this dog food is not completely starch-free. I don’t think it’s a big deal, but be sure to consider it when choosing.
The protein sources are Salmon, and Menhaden Fish Meal, whose omega fatty acid content has a great effect on dogs’ health.
The vitamin and mineral content of the product also strengthens the efficiency of the immune system. Thanks to this, it will be a very healthy diet for your pup.
CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Petite Salmon Formula
Key features:
- The first 5 ingredients are Salmon, Salmon Meal, Peas, Lentils, Tapioca
- Contains a single animal protein sourced from real salmon
- Formulated for small breeds
- Contains probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids
- Raw coated with freeze-dried salmon
The last member of my list is for those looking for yeast-free food for their small breed dog. This freeze-dried kibble contains limited ingredients, so sensitive stomach pups can consume it.
Salmon and Salmon Meal are perfect sources of protein containing the essential amino acids and plenty of omega fatty acids. This is very important for dogs with sensitive skin.
Peas, Lentils, Tapioca, and Garbanzo Beans are low starch carbohydrates. This allows this diet to fit well even in the event of a yeast infection.
And the added vitamins, minerals, and prebiotics underpin the health of the immune system. This makes this product really complete and balanced.
Finding the best diet for your dog is not easy. You have to consider several aspects, e.g., activity, breed, age, health condition, etc. If you want to make the best decision possible, check out my comprehensive guide on how to choose the best dog food.
More about yeast infection in dogs
There are countless microorganisms in the body and skin surface of living things. Yeast is a fungus species found in the digestive system and on the skin of humans and dogs.
And that’s perfectly fine since the immune system can handle them. The problem begins when they multiply. This is called a yeast infection.
This condition occurs in almost any dog. But some breeds are more prone to yeast infection. These dogs have floppy ears or grow hair in their ear canals.
Breeds prone to yeast infections are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, etc. Fungi and other microorganisms multiply faster in hot and humid places. Therefore, you should frequently check your dog’s ears and body fold regions.
One of the most common yeast infections is Yeast Dermatitis, also known as Malassezia dermatitis. This is a fairly common condition in dogs with sensitive skin.
And what causes it? There may be environmental factors in the background, or allergens, like pollen, dust, mold, cleaning chemicals, and feathers. Or even an improper diet. In my article, I will write mainly about the latter.
Common Symptoms of Yeast Dermatitis
This disease occurs regularly in dogs with sensitive skin. When yeast fungi multiply too much, and this causes the problem. Dogs can also have yeast allergies.
Allergy and infection have similar symptoms, but the infection is a more serious condition. Let’s look at the symptoms of yeast infection:
- Bad odor
- Ear problems (hearing, or ear hair loss)
- Balance problems
- Scaly and flaky, or thickened skin
- Ear infections
- Itchy skin
- Inflammation
- Pigmentation change (darker skin)
If you see any of the above symptoms on your dog, you should definitely visit your veterinarian. He will be able to do tests to determine the exact condition of your dog.
In the case of Yeast Dermatitis, the use of various medicated shampoos and mousse, dietary changes, or possibly some antibiotics should be considered.
Candidiasis infection
Candidiasis is another form of yeast infection that can appear in the urinary tract, ears, mouth, and nose. The symptoms depend on which part of the dog’s body is affected by the disease. So they could be:
- Head shaking and scratching
- Excessive drooling
- Bladder inflammation
- Inflammation
- Fevers
- Odors
How to treat yeast infection in dogs?
As with the diagnosis, you should work with your veterinarian to find the right treatment.
Veterinary treatments are not cheap, but they can be very effective. These include various antifungal medications, creams, or possibly surgery to clean the ear canals.
Great home remedies are solutions made from marigolds, coconuts, or vinegar. (Of course, ask your vet about this as well.).
However, another effective way of treatment is to change your diet. The so-called Anti-Yeast Diet can do a lot to help you overcome this problem.
How Does Anti-Yeast Diet Work in Dogs?
No, the Anti-Yeast diet does not only means that dog food does not contain yeast. Rather, it means that it does not contain ingredients that feed the yeast fungi.
These microorganisms need sugar and starch to survive and reproduce. So eliminating these from your dog’s diet is key during treatment.
This is not easy, as starchy carbohydrate sources are widespread in the dog food industry. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, wheat, corn, or rice are found in most dry dog foods.
Many people think that a grain-free diet is a right solution against yeast infection. However, based on the above, you can see that grain-free carbohydrate sources also contain starch essential for yeast fungi.
I will list below the ingredients that should be avoided in an Anti-Yeast diet and the worth including.
Ingredients to avoid if your dog has a yeast infection
- Rice
- Corn
- Wheat
- Other grains
- High sugar fruits
- Processed foods
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Corn syrup
- Peas
- Binding ingredients
Best ingredients in an anti-yeast diet
- High-quality animal protein
- Green veggies (spinach, seaweed, kale)
- Broccoli
- Low sugar fruits
- Probiotics
- Unprocessed foods
- Animal-based fats with omega-3 and omega-6
- Dietary fiber
- Antioxidants
Based on what has happened so far, you can see that an anti-yeast diet is the best option if your dog has a yeast infection. To do this, you need to look for dog food with unprocessed whole ingredients. The best products contain lean meat, low-starch vegetables, enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids.
Understanding Yeast in dog food
You’ve probably come across dog foods that also have some form of yeast.
Brewer’s yeast is a by-product of brewing. It is a deactivated yeast also known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
It contains a lot of B vitamins, so it is especially beneficial for the health of dogs. It has a calming effect and promotes skin and coat health. Some experts also say it has a tick and flea repellent effect.
Nutritional yeast is also found in many dog foods. This is the same fungi as brewer’s yeast but is made by a different process. It tastes sweet because of the molasses.
Another type of yeast is yeast culture. It can be in an active or inactive form. Rich in amino acids – vitamin B, and various enzymes. But it also has an excellent effect on digestion as it helps in the formation of the correct intestinal flora.
So you can see that yeast is not necessarily a bad thing in dog food. However, never give yeast dough as human food to your dog. This is because yeast dough starts to grow in the stomachs of dogs, which can cause bloat. This condition can even be fatal.
It is also worth avoiding yeast in case your dog is sensitive or allergic to it. Your veterinarian can find out this with the help of appropriate tests.
Frequently asked questions
We looked at the best yeast-free dog foods and wrote in detail about other yeast infection topics. But you still have questions. I answer the most common questions below.
Is yeast in dog food bad?
Yeast contains a lot of nutrients that are useful for dogs. However, never give yeast dough to your canine because it can cause bloat, which can even be fatal. Also, avoid yeast-containing dog food in case of allergies or intolerances.
Do carbs cause yeast infections in dogs?
Carbohydrates do not directly cause yeast infection in dogs. However, a diet high in carbohydrates, sugar, or starch creates favorable conditions for yeasts’ growth. Therefore, these should be reduced if your dog has a yeast infection.
Is yogurt good for dogs with yeast infections?
Yogurts contain probiotics that can help fight yeast infections in dogs.
Is Brewer’s yeast bad for dogs with yeast infections?
Yeast is very high in protein and vitamin B. It also helps with digestion and is considered by some to be an excellent tick and flea repellent. Because of this, it can have a positive effect on the health of dogs. However, if your canine is prone to yeast infection or has a yeast allergy, you should look for a dog food that does not contain this type of fungus.
How Do You Get Rid Of Yeast In Dogs?
It provides effective treatment for yeast infection with ingredients such as miconazole, ketoconazole, or chlorhexidine. There are oral antifungal medications such as terbinafine, ketoconazole, or fluconazole. Tea tree oil and vinegar have also been shown to be effective in treatment.
My final choice
As you can see, when choosing the best yeast-free dog food, it’s not enough to just look to see if that particular product contains yeast. Other conditions must also be met, as we cannot be satisfied with poor quality.
Sugars and starches support the growth of yeast fungi. Therefore, you should choose a product that contains little of these ingredients.
My favorite is the Zignature Zssential Multi-Protein Formula. This recipe fulfills the conditions to the maximum. Of course, I recommend the other products as well, as I put a lot of energy into the research.
Remember to check with your veterinarian about your dog’s diet. Also, keep in mind that the dietary change should be gradual.
