Can Dogs Eat Nutritional Yeast?

Yes, dogs can eat nutritional yeast but only in limited amounts.

Also called nooch, nutritional yeast is an inactive type of yeast made from sugarcane and beet molasses. It is low in calories but packed with protein, fiber, B vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Usually appearing in powder or flake form, the yellow-coloured yeast is used as a seasoning by vegans and vegetarians because of its cheesy, savoury, and nutty flavour. It is also commonly used as a meat replacer, food additive, and supplement.

Dogs can eat limited amounts of this type of fungus. However, it is important to note that nutritional yeast is different from activated yeast with the latter being used for bread leavening. Feeding your dog activated yeast can result in alcohol poisoning or deadly bloating.

How to feed nutritional yeast to your dog: Let your dog try a small amount of vet-approved nutritional yeast. Observe his reaction to the inactive yeast before feeding it regularly. There are some cases in which dogs may be allergic or intolerant to nutritional yeast. Others may suffer from gastrointestinal upset or gain weight because of it.

Here are three ideas for nutritional yeast-based treats your dog will love:

Sprinkle one teaspoon of nutritional yeast over his kibble.
Cook polenta using nutritional yeast with chopped carrots or zucchini.
Try this dog treat recipe using your pet’s favourite ingredients.

In summary: When fed correctly to your pet, nutritional yeast can help improve a dog’s metabolism, mental agility, and immune system because of the B vitamins found in it. More than just being a great flavour enhancer, it can aid in intestinal health.