Going against the grain.
Why I don’t recommend Brewer’s yeast for dogs and cats.
Discover safe, health supportive alternatives.
The Pet Food Industry and Pet Supplement Industry wants you to believe brewer’s yeast is good for your dog and cat.
The industry promotes brewer’s yeast as a desirable ingredient to repel fleas, aid appetite, support fur and skin health. All good right?
Wrong.
Truth…
The pet industry fails to divulge the rest of the story - the FACT that…
Brewer’s yeast can trigger and contribute to health issues and conditions.
There I said it.
So why would the pet industry ardently promote the use of brewer’s yeast? Maintenance of high profit margins. Brewer’s yeast is a very low-cost, readily available substance.
What Is Brewer’s Yeast?
Brewer’s yeast is a type of one-celled fungus – scientific name “Saccharomyces cerevisiae”. The word Saccharomyces comes from the Greek word for sugar. The fungus species name ‘cerevisiae’ comes from the Latin language, and means beer.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae was discovered thousands of years ago.
Mesopotamians made an alcoholic beverage with sugar and water fermented with yeast. This beverage later became known as beer.
Today there are three main sources of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Brewer’s yeast).
One – brewer’s yeast is still used by breweries to make beer. Breweries cultivate the yeast on hops, malted barley or other grains. Yeast sits in the grain-liquid solution to ferment. Yeast microbes lose their viability when used many times. When no longer useful to ferment beer, inactive yeast (waste-yeast) is replaces with new yeast.
Two - brewer’s yeast is also grown on molasses made from sugar beets or sugar cane. This yeast is grown for human and non-human-animal food. It's also used in the making of 'health' supplements.
Three - Saccharomyces cerevisiae exists in the natural environment. It's also present in human and non-human animals gastrointestinal tract. On the skin of humans, and non-human animals including cats and dogs.
Brewer’s Yeast Use in Food and Supplements
Breweries sell the inactive yeast to the food processing industry. The inactive yeast is a food and supplement ingredient. Used for humans, and non-human animals – farm animals, zoo animals, and domestic animals. Brewer's yeast, a waste product of alcohol manufacturing, makes money for the industry.
Brewer’s yeast appears in a wide range of made-for-pet products. Products advertised as "high quality", "all natural", "holistic". Veterinarian Prescription pet food, treats and supplements contain Brewer's yeast..
Beneficial Properties of (inactive) Brewer’s Yeast
Protein (non-mammalian protein)
Vitamin B
Minerals
Harmful Properties of (inactive) Brewer’s Yeast
Degraded, Toxic Source of Minerals, Protein, and Vitamin B
Most brewer’s yeast is cultivated on conventional grains. Glyphosate is sprayed on conventional grain to desiccate (dry-out) the crops prior to harvesting.
Glyphosate is also used on GMO grains, GMO sugar beets, and GMO sugar cane. These crops contain high levels of glyphosate residue.
On March 20, 2015 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) released its findings on glyphosate. IARC’s conclusion; there is “sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity”.
Conventional crops are cultivated with synthetic chemical fertilizers that contain (toxic) heavy metals.
Heavy metals are drawn into the plants via the root system and remain in the plant after harvesting.
Glyphosate, heavy metals and other toxins used to grow grain crops result in a crop deficient in nutritive value. The crops are also toxin-contaminated.
Vitamins and minerals yielded from these crops are of poor quality. Brewers' Yeast is cultivated on these crops. The resulting yeast provides poor quality nutritive value contaminated with toxic residue.
Brewer’s Yeast – A source of MSG
The protein in Brewer’s yeast is a source of free glutamic acid – also known as MSG.
Glutamic acid (MSG) has an inflammatory effect on the brain. Inflammation contributes to onset of cognitive issues such as dementia. MSG is known as the 'silent killer'.
Brewer’s Yeast Contributes to Overgrowth of Bad Bacteria
Brewer's yeast can exacerbate bad bacteria overgrowth. Dogs and cats prone to, or experiencing overgrowth of bad bacteria should not consume Brewer's yeast.
The pet food and supplement industry does NOT want you to know Brewer’s yeast IS an inflammation-promoting substance.
Brewer's Yeast Proven to Be Ineffective as a Flea Repellent
Inactive Brewer's yeast; this is the type of Brewer's yeast used by the food industry has been proven ineffective as a flea repellent for dogs and cats.
You Will Hear
You will hear people say, “since I put my dog on Brewer’s yeast his skin and fur is so much better”. Or “my dog isn’t getting so many fleas since I put her on brewer’s yeast”.
A dog may experience an improvement in one set of symptoms. But the dog or cat is also exposed to an increased toxic load. Also increased risk of inflammatory issues and conditions in the short and long-term.
The Pet Industry profits while your cat and dog pay the ultimate price. Degradation of long-term health. An unfair and unnecessary outcome when there are so many safe, affordable, alternatives.
Alternatives to Brewer’s Yeast
Supplemental Foods That Help Repel Insects and Parasites
There are many supplemental foods that can help your dog and cat be less-attractive to fleas.
These alternatives are inexpensive, readily available, and don’t have adverse side effects.
These supplemental foods and herbs support health and make your companion animal less attractive to insects and parasites. For instructions on dosing and use of these items is go here.
Species Appropriate Foods for Cats, Dogs - Rich in B Vitamins and Protein
A few examples below. You can go to the link for each item to read more, including how to include the item in your dogs and cats diet...
Holistic Wellness and Behaviorist Services
Do you need holistic advice to support your companion animal's health and well being? Become a client. Book your consultation. My professional holistic nutrition, wellness and behavioral services are available to you:
🌿 Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats 🐕 🐈
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Available Holistic Consultations and Sessions:
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Menu of Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats 🐕🐈
For more information go here.
✅ Maintain Health, and;
✅ Address Health Issues and Conditions:
✓ Treatment and Remedy
✓ Pre-Surgery holistic support protocols
✓ Post-Surgery holistic healing protocols
✓ Pre-Vaccine holistic support protocols
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✓ Natural Insect and Parasite Prevention
✓ Natural Treatment for Insect, Parasite Infestation, Co-Infection, Disease
✅ Custom Designed Whole Food Diets - raw or gently cooked, and;
✅ Advice and Recommendation:
✓ Premade Diets - raw, dehydrated, freeze dried
✓ Supplemental Fresh Foods - raw, gently cooked
✓ Super foods
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✓ Herbs
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Menu of Holistic Behaviorist Services for Dogs 🐕
For more information go here.
In-person Sessions - available locally
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Affiliations to Companies
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karen@ottawavalleydogwhisperer.ca
Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld
