Looking for the best hypoallergenic dog food for a yeast infection?
I’ve got you covered!
Below, we’ll discuss how food plays a role in helping relieve your dog’s yeasty skin condition.
We’ll also look at some of the best “anti-yeast” foods to try!
Top Pick
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Don’t have time to read the whole article and just want to grab our top pick? Check out Stella & Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose Dinner Patties!
What is the Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food for a Yeast Infection?
First things first- we are not vets, so this is not medical advice.
If you suspect that your dog has an infection of ANY kind, please call your vet.
Now, to answer the main question, we first need to answer two other questions:
- What causes yeast infections in dogs?
- How can food play a role in worsening or relieving it?
So, let’s start with those, then we’ll get to some suggestions. Sound like a plan?
What causes yeast infections in dogs?
Yeast infections in dogs is caused by an overgrowth of candida on the skin or in the body.
This fungus (or rather fungi, as there are different types) is pretty much always present in our dog’s bodies (and ours).
Then, something tips the scales from “mellow little fungi just along for the ride” to “legions of doom staging a coup” levels.
That “something” can be a myriad of things, just like with humans.
We’re talking anything from allergies to excessive moisture to a genetic predisposition!
My friend’s dog, for example, is simply prone to them because he’s an English Bulldog.
Also like humans, a yeast infection can affect different parts of the body.
While ears tend to be the most commonly affected, it can also affect their skin, between their toes, and more.
How do I know if my dog has a yeast infection?
Here’s where I again remind you to talk to your vet, because the symptoms of yeast infection in dogs can mimic other issues.
Common symptoms include:
- Itchiness in the affected area
- A greasy odor coming from your dog’s skin or ears
- Hair loss (could look like hot spots)
- “Crusty” skin in the affected area
- Brownish discharge (especially from the ears)
- Redness or swelling
Additional symptoms for yeast infections in the ears include:
- Loss of balance (if it affects the inner ear)
- Head shaking
- Loss of hearing
- Strange eye movements
Depending on how badly the infection affects your dog’s inner ear, you may even notice vomiting.
Again, your vet will be able to give you a definitive answer, and the test isn’t invasive.
A simple skin scraping can confirm the presence of yeast.
How can food play a role in worsening or relieving it?
If your dog’s yeast infections are caused by allergies, then food can play a major role in combatting it.
Now, I’m not saying diet alone is enough to cure it or prevent recurrences.
However, it is part of an overall treatment plan.
Within a week after changing her dog’s diet, my Bulldog-owning friend saw a dramatic improvement in his skin.
I’m talking a whole new dog! I can’t promise the same results, of course, but it does give you an example of the role food plays.
Even if allergies aren’t the culprit, a good anti-yeast dog food may help your pup recover faster and prevent further outbreaks.
MAY, of course, being the operative term. Your vet will help you determine if your dog needs a diet change.
What is anti-yeast dog food?
Anti-yeast dog food isn’t actually a real thing, at least not medically speaking.
You’ll find no mention of it on vet websites or even within product names.
It’s basically a term that we dog parents (and writers) gave to hypoallergenic dog food for a yeast infection.
It just sounds catchier, right?
That said, while it may not be a real thing in the same way as “grain-free,” “limited ingredient” and so on, it is a good way to describe foods that are relatively low (or devoid of) starchy/yeasty ingredients.
Unfortunately, starch is used to bind pretty much all commercial kibbles.
So, anti-yeast dog foods often consist of raw recipes or “ready to serve” human-grade meals.
They typically contain low-glycemic veggies, which are also naturally less “yeasty” overall.
With all of that in mind, let’s look at a few of the top brands to try!
Best Hypoallergenic Dog Food for a Yeast Infection
Use the table for a quick peek at the best anti-yeast dog food available on Amazon, then read on for the full list and details.
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TOP PICK
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Top Feature:
Contains Lactobacillus
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Top Feature:
Human-Grade ingredients
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Top Feature:
Single protein source
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Top Feature:
Gluten-free, starch-free
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$64.99
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$146.99
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$150.00
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$20.99
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This list will be fairly short because I’m sticking to recommendations from people who have “yeasty” dogs and actual vets.
I looked at a lot of other lists and was disappointed to find a bunch of “here are ten expensive grain-free foods” on a lot of them.
Grain-free kibble alone isn’t enough to combat a yeast infection, as the grains are often replaced with starchy veggies.
As always, I’d rather give you a short list of legit recommendations than pad it out with junk just so I can say “Top 10!!” 🙂
I’ve included links to both Amazon and Chewy when applicable.
1. Stella & Chewy’s Duck Duck Goose Dinner Patties
Creating a complete raw diet on your own is so tricky. Stella & Chewy makes it SO much easier.
They offer numerous fabulous freeze-dried foods, but their Duck Duck Goose Dinner Patties are one of my favorites.
First, duck isn’t as common an allergen as chicken or beef, so it’s more hypoallergenic right off the bat.
It also contains Lactobacillus, which is great for yeast infections.
Plus, it comes in such a convenient format (patties) that there’s little to no guesswork involved in feeding time.
The only drawback? It’s not cheap! Then again, very few high-quality dog foods are.
2. Brother’s Complete Lamb Meal & Egg Formula
Really want to stick with a kibble?
Brother’s Complete comes highly recommended by other dog owners dealing with yeast infections over on Dog Food Advisor’s forums.
It is a bit on the pricey side, but worth it.
They do offer a 5-lb bag for just over $27, though, so you may want to start with that before dropping $90 on a big bag.
It’s one of the few kibbles made for dogs with both allergies and a propensity for yeast infections.
It contains probiotics and uses roots of the cassava plant in place of more traditional carbs.
Kibble- even a good one like this- is never the “best of the best” when it comes to anti-yeast food, though.
Just keep that in mind! Still, it’s good to have one option if that’s all your dog will eat.
3. Honest Kitchen’s Limited Ingredient Fish Recipe
The Honest Kitchen makes “just add water” dog food with real, wholesome ingredients.
They pride themselves for being the world’s first dog food “made in the USA with 100% human grade ingredients produced in a human food facility.”
While many of their recipes could work well for yeasty pups, I particularly like their fish recipe for dogs with food allergies.
It’s made with low-glycemic veggies and a grand total of just 6 ingredients.
Again, it’s pricey, so start with the smallest package first to make sure your dog actually likes it.
I wish I could find you a good cheap hypoallergenic dog food for a yeast infection, but I don’t think it exists.
4. Raw Paws Signature Blend Complete Goat for Dogs
If you’re looking for a good totally raw option, Raw Paws is a great choice.
They offer a huge selection of single-protein foods in rolls, patties, and more.
Goat is a great hypoallergenic option, as it’s a fairly novel ingredient.
Raw Paws also sells a smaller selection of their most popular recipes on Amazon (not the Goat, though).
I recommend going through their website directly, though.
The company has a 3.8/5 star rating on Consumer Advocates and an A+ rating with the BBB.
They also offer custom meal plans. Just call or email them to discuss that option.
5. Weruva Dogs in the Kitchen Lamburgini
If you’re looking for the best canned hypoallergenic dog food for a yeast infection, Weruva is my top choice.
While they offer chicken, beef, and other common proteins, I’m leaning towards their Lamburgini Lamb & Pumpkin Au Jus recipe.
Lamb isn’t exactly the most novel of ingredients, but it’s also not as common an allergen as poultry and beef.
Pumpkin- in humans at least- shows promise in helping fend off yeast infections, according to studies.
Weruva’s “Dogs in the Kitchen” line contains no grains, starches, or gluten.
It’s fairly affordable, too! Not cheap, per se, but definitely more affordable than some of the other options here.
Use it alone or as a topper for one of the other options above.
Final Recommendation
Remember, before you even think about switching to hypoallergenic dog food for a yeast infection, call your vet.
We research everything like crazy here at DogVills, but we’re not a replacement for someone with an actual veterinarian degree.
It’s also important to manage your expectations.
If your dog has a severe case, or is super prone to recurring yeast infections, food alone won’t be enough to cure it.
However, it’s definitely a good first step to getting things under control.
