Quick and Easy Homemade Dog Food For Yeast Infections (Foolproof Recipe)

Just like humans, dogs can develop yeast infections. These infections can sometimes become chronic in nature. Whether or not they are, however, yeast infections will make your dog’s skin very uncomfortable. I’ve only really seen a handful of instances in which a dog was seemingly ignoring their yeast infection, and those dogs were either too old or sickly to care. Even the toughest, most stoic, and well-trained and active dogs can crumble into an itching mess when a yeast infection rolls around.

One of the best ways to help your dog get over a yeast infection is by optimizing their diet, cutting out the pro-yeast stuff and giving them a healthy helping of natural anti-fungal ingredients. But while diet is important, I always advise dog owners to let the vet take a look at their dog if it’s the first time they’ve gotten a yeast infection. This is always good practice before trying any home remedies, including an anti-yeast diet. Depending on your dog’s physiology, sometimes that might not be enough and could be an exercise in futility, or worse even harm your dog. They should be able to tell you for sure if it’s worth going down that path.

How Dogs Get Yeast Dermatitis

Yeast infections in dogs are referred to by veterinarians as yeast dermatitis. This condition is caused by an overgrowth of yeast microorganisms. 

Just like us, dogs have a type of yeast called Malassezia living on their skin at all times. Although the yeast rarely causes problems, it can end up multiplying at an accelerated rate.

This often happens due to dietary issues, but anything that could decrease or even increase immune system activity can cause an overgrowth of yeast on your dog’s skin. 

Symptoms of Canine Yeast Dermatitis

One of the first symptoms pet parents may notice is his constant scratching. Does your dog constantly scratch his ears or back? Itching becomes intense with severe yeast infections and should be monitored. The following are other symptoms you may notice with canine yeast dermatitis. 

• Red, inflamed skin
• Cracked lips
• Chewing at the paws
• Foul odors

The Optimal Homemade Dog Food For Yeast Infections

Before I share the recipe and instructions with you, I want to give you a warning. This dog food does not supply dogs with adequate and balanced nutrition for the long term. 

Have you heard of the yeast starvation diet? It essentially just means you have to cut off carbs and sugars in order to restore the balance of yeast in the body. Of course, this also means going with yeast-free dog food, so no bread or bread-adjacent ingredients (kibble is notorious for having a lot of these!).

This literally starves the yeast cells of usable nutrients, making them die off if it is maintained for a long enough period. Hence, the best yeast starvation dog food to give your dog would be one that keeps to the regular diet that your dog eats, which should be full of protein, but without anything that could supply the yeast with energy. This means removing potatoes, yeast, and grains from your dog’s diet. These foods have higher sugar content which feeds the yeast and makes them proliferate. 

There are a number of dog food recipes out there for a yeast starvation diet, but I find this one to be the easiest and most accessible to make, while still being very effective.But if cooking your own dog food isn’t for you, you may also try checking the best fresh dog food delivery service brands today for meals that are customized depending on the needs of your pet.

Ingredients

If you are trying to heal your dog’s yeast infection, give him a yeast-free dog food. This means removing potatoes, yeast, and grains from your dog’s diet. These foods have higher sugar content which feeds the yeast and makes them proliferate. 

The ingredients for this homemade dog food are simple, and you likely already have them in your home. 

• 3 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs 
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 pound of frozen vegetables

You may be surprised to hear I included garlic in this homemade dog food recipe. Like some pet parents, you may think garlic is toxic to dogs.  While experts disagree on whether or not that’s true, the reality is that plenty of dog owners have been feeding their dogs garlic without ill effects, and it’s a fairly common ingredient in commercial dog food.

Garlic is only toxic to dogs in large amounts. Small amounts are highly beneficial to dogs. Garlic is a powerful natural antibiotic for dogs,  able to perform well as an antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-parasite agent. 

Directions

What I really love about this recipe is that it is a slow cooker one. All you have to do is throw all the ingredients, except the veggies, in the slow cooker before work, and your dog’s dinner will be ready when you get home. 

You should cook the ingredients for about six hours on low. Do not add the frozen vegetables until the last 30 minutes. Allow the dog food to cool completely before serving your dog. 

How Much Homemade Dog Food Should You Feed For Yeast Infections?

You should feed your dog 1/2 cup of this dog food for every 20 pounds of their body weight. Provide your dog with two servings a day, adjusting for how active they are, whether they’re nursing, and other factors. Consult with your vet if you have concerns.

How to Store This Homemade Recipe Once Cooked

You should store the homemade dog food in an airtight container in the fridge. This recipe will keep for about six days, and it freezes well if you make too much or just want to cook extra. 

Tips for Treating Canine Yeast Infections

Chronic yeast infections will likely require an anti-yeast diet. The above recipe is a basic starting point. Yeast infections are sometimes difficult to get rid of if your dog has allergies or a poor immune system^[1] , so you may need to consult with your vet if the infection does not respond to your efforts. 

In addition to the recipe above, I also recommend the following tips. 

• Feed your dog a raw diet of mostly meat. Follow my raw dog food recipes for skin allergies. 
• Try a limited ingredient diet. The main ingredient should be meat, and the food should contain no grains. 
• Minimize processed pet foods always. Make sure treats and food do not contain high fructose corn syrup or any sugar derivative.
• Prioritize protein in your dog’s diet. 

Foods to Avoid When Your Dog Has a Yeast Infection

• Crackers
• Bread
• Bacon
• Cheese
• Mushrooms
• Peanuts
• Buttermilk
• Lunch meat
• Fruit
• Peanuts

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What can I feed a dog with a yeast infection?

You should stick to a basic diet that is free of grain and processed foods. The recipe above is a good starting point. Focus on protein and veggies to get rid of the yeast infection. 

2. How do I starve my dog’s yeast?

Sugar is the biggest food source for yeast. The glucose in foods can feed the yeast and make them thrive and increase. Eliminate all forms of sugar from your dog’s diet, including those found in grains and fruits. 

3. What ingredient in dog food causes yeast infections?

Sugar can cause yeast to grow in numbers. If your dog’s immune systems cannot handle fighting the yeast, infections will occur. While sugar does not cause a yeast infection, it can cause yeast to grow in numbers and will make a yeast infection worsen. Yeast in bread and carbohydrates also excel at supplying yeast with energy.