Best Dog Food for Yeast Infections: 7 Top Picks for 2023

Has your dog started itching constantly? Do they suddenly smell funky? Is their skin becoming thickened? Your dog is likely suffering from a yeast infection.

At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Dog Food for Yeast Infections:

• Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties – Our Top Pick
• Only Natural Pet MaxMeat Holistic Grain-Free Air Dried Dry Dog Food
• Zignature Zssential Formula Dog Food
• Earthborn Holistic Venture Grain Free Dry Dog Food
• Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Recipe Natural Dog Food

The first thing you need to do is take your dog to the vet for a diagnosis and medication. The next thing you should consider is switching your dog to an anti-yeast dog food.

Best Dog Food for Yeast Infections – Top Picks

1.  Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties

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If you want to find a low-starch food for your yeasty dog, you have to get away from kibble. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties are low in carbs and allergens, so they should help your dog’s yeast regardless of the cause. The food is available in several different flavors, including rabbit, duck, and venison.

Key Features and Characteristics:

• Less than 12% carbs
• Great for dogs with food allergies
• Almost as convenient as kibble – serve patties as-is or rehydrate with water
• Absolutely Rabbit flavor starts with 90% rabbit organs and bone plus 100% organic fruits and vegetables
• Made in the USA

First 6 Ingredients: Rabbit with ground bone, olive oil, rabbit liver, pumpkin seed, organic cranberries, organic spinach

Customer Reviews: Nearly all the complaints are about the patties arriving crumbled after shipping. There is a small handful of complaints about dogs who got sick from the food. By and large, even picky dogs love Stella and Chewy’s.

Bottom Line: The high protein and fat content aren’t right for every dog. However, this is an excellent anti-yeast dog food for dogs that need food low in carbohydrates or who have food allergies.

One last thing to note – make sure to check the ingredient list if your dog has known allergies. They hide turkey in the “Duck Duck Goose” flavor, for example.

2.  Only Natural Pet MaxMeat Holistic Grain-Free Air Dried Dry Dog Food

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This air-dried dog food has the convenience of kibble without as much starch required to bind the food together. The food is heated to 160 degrees to kill off pathogens that may be found in raw food and then air-dried to retain maximum nutrition. The Lamb & Cod flavor is excellent for dogs with food allergies.

Key Features and Characteristics:

• Paleo-inspired, high meat, high protein diet that follows the whole prey formula which mimics your dog’s ancestral diet
• Made from a balance of natural ingredients for a complete nutritionally packed meal, adding to kibble or canned foods as a delicious topping on food, and rewarding as a training treat
• Made in New Zealand with free-range lamb and wild-caught cod
• No grain, corn, soy, wheat, or oats
• Jerky-style food has the convenience of kibble

First 6 Ingredients: Lamb, cod, lamb liver, lamb heart, lamb kidney, pumpkin

Customer Reviews: The only complaints were a few people who got a bad/crumbly batch of food. However, even the pickiest of dogs love this food, and there aren’t any complaints about it making dogs sick.

Bottom Line: This food does have more carbohydrates than you might expect (up to 37%), so it won’t work if you need a super-low-carb diet for your dog. However, Only Natural Pet MaxMeat is lower in carbs than most kibble and is easier to feed than raw or homemade dog food.

3.  Zignature Zssential Formula Dog Food

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If you prefer to feed your dog kibble, Zignature Zssential Formula dog food might be the best dog food for yeast infections in kibble form. This high-protein dog food uses low-glycemic legumes, such as whole chickpeas, which promote stable blood sugar and provide valuable dietary fiber. While this formulation uses several different proteins, it’s still low in common allergens.

Key Features and Characteristics:

• No chicken ingredients; no ingredients that are common allergens like corn, wheat gluten, soy, or dairy
• Multi-Source Protein Recipe made from turkey and turkey meal from the American Midwest, salmon from the Northwest, duck meal from France, and lamb meal from New Zealand
• Nutritionally correct ratio of fruits and vegetables includes powerful antioxidants and fiber-rich low-glycemic carbohydrates
• High In protein, low in saturated fat, loaded with essential omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and selenium

First 6 Ingredients: Turkey, turkey meal, salmon, lamb meal, duck meal, chickpeas

Customer Reviews: Interestingly, there is no consistency to the complaints about this product. A few people complained about shipping. Some people’s dogs didn’t like the flavor.

A few dogs got sick. Some people pointed to the FDA report showing a possible link between grain-free dog food and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This food has overwhelmingly positive reviews, though, with many reports of improved skin, ear, and stomach problems.

Bottom Line: There is a small chance you or your dog will have a problem with this food. However, there is a better likelihood that your dog will like the flavor and will benefit from decreased symptoms of yeast infection.

4.  Earthborn Holistic Venture Grain Free Dry Dog Food

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Earthborn Holistic Venture Grain Free Dry Dog Food is not only good for your dog, but it’s good for the environment, too. The bag is partially made from renewable and sustainable Brazilian sugarcane ethanol and can be recycled if you send it back to the company. Additionally, you can collect UPCs to have trees replanted in deforested areas.

Key Features and Characteristics:

• No grain, no gluten, no potato, no egg, no colorants, no fillers, no by-products, no artificial preservatives
• Several flavors to choose from that are unlikely to cause food allergies, including giant squid from South America, caught in highly controlled fisheries
• High-quality chickpeas, peas, and flaxseed come from the Dakotas, Montana, and Canada
• 93% of the protein in the Squid formula comes from only 3 ingredients: 65% from squid, 14% from chickpeas, and 14% from pumpkin
• Less than 28% carbohydrates

First 6 Ingredients: Squid, chickpeas, pumpkin, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), flaxseed, natural flavors

Customer Reviews: Some dogs don’t like the taste of this food, some dogs had diarrhea, and some people reported receiving a bad batch. However, the bulk of the positive reviews are from owners of dogs with food allergies whose symptoms vastly improved after switching to this food. “Best dog food ever” sums up the thoughts of many reviewers.

Bottom Line: Since this food is a kibble, it is still a little high in carbohydrates. However, if your dog’s yeast problem is from a food allergy rather than too many carbs, they will probably thrive switching to one of the unique proteins this brand offers.

5.  Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Recipe Natural Dog Food

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If you think a food allergy causes your dog’s yeast infection, Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet is an excellent choice for anti-yeast dog food. It has only one protein and one vegetable and avoids all common allergens. It contains up to 37% carbohydrates, so it’s not very low in carbs.

Key Features and Characteristics:

• No grain, dairy, eggs, chicken, beef, fish, sweet potato, potato, chickpeas, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, or preservatives
• Every piece of kibble is coated in freeze dried raw for nutrition and taste
• Only one protein (salmon meal) and one vegetable (peas)
• Made in the USA
• Great for dogs with food allergies

First 6 Ingredients: Salmon meal, peas, tapioca, salmon, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), natural flavor

Customer Reviews: There are a few complaints of bad batches or dogs getting sick. Many people report that their dog’s itching, yeast, or ear infections cleared up after switching to this food, though. One dog’s ears cleared up within a week of switching to this food after 4 years of problems.

Bottom Line: If a food allergy is causing your dog’s yeast problem, there is an excellent chance this food will help clear it up. There’s a chance it could upset your dog’s stomach, and it’s a little high in carbs compared to some of the other foods on our list, but it’s still a good bet to help dogs with food allergies.

6.  Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

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If you’re looking for an ultra-premium kibble, Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food has you covered. By sticking with a single protein, this food reduces the chance of triggering food allergies. Acana uses premium meats and avoids common starchy allergens like gluten, potato, and tapioca.

Key Features and Characteristics:

• Includes meat, organs, cartilage, and bone, delivering the nutrients dogs need naturally
• Grain-free, with no gluten, potato, or tapioca
• Limited-ingredient, nutrient-dense, and high in protein
• Made in the USA
• 27% protein, 17% fat, 30% carbohydrates

First 6 Ingredients: Deboned duck, duck meal, duck liver, sweet potato, whole chickpeas, duck fat

Customer Reviews: Most of the negative reviews are at least a year old and refer to old (2017) recalls. For the most part, dogs love this food and thrive on it. Many owners reported that their dog’s allergy symptoms cleared up after switching to this food.

Bottom Line: Since it’s kibble, it is a little high in carbohydrates. However, it’s still chock-full of high-quality protein and great for dogs with food allergies.

7.  The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Grain Free Limited Ingredient Dog Food

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If you’re looking for a simple food with few ingredients, The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Grain Free Limited Ingredient Dog Food is the way to go. It includes only 6 simple ingredients (plus vitamins and minerals). Since it’s a dehydrated dog food, you do need to add water and let it sit for a few minutes before giving it to your pup.

Key Features and Characteristics:

• Only 6 natural and grain-free ingredients
• All-natural dog food with no by-products, preservatives, or GMO ingredients
• Made in the USA: All ingredients processed in the USA in a human-grade food processing facility
• Several flavors to choose from
• Minimalist grain-free fish and coconut recipe designed for dogs with food and stomach sensitivities

First 6 Ingredients: MSC certified pollock, organic coconut, chickpeas, celery, pumpkin, spinach

Customer Reviews: Most dogs love this food, but some hate the soupy texture. There are some reports of dogs getting sick on this food, but most dogs do well on it. Many people use this food as a topper for other food.

Bottom Line: Not all dogs enjoy the texture of this food. However, most dogs love this food and thrive on it, even those with food allergies. If a food allergy is the cause of your pup’s yeast, this food may help.

Treating Yeast Infections in Dogs

Did you know that dogs always have yeast on their skin? It only becomes a problem when something triggers the yeast colony to grow out of control.

Yeast loves warm, moist environments, so yeast infections commonly affect dogs’ ears or paws. Wrinkly dog breeds like Shar Peis and English Bulldogs are also prone to yeast infections in between their wrinkles.

However, any or all of your dog’s skin may be overtaken by yeast. Signs of a yeast infection may include:

• Red or itchy skin
• Crusty, flaky, or scaly skin
• Hyperpigmentation (skin that’s turned darker than usual)
• Thickened skin (“elephant skin”)
• Hair loss
• Yellow, brown, or bloody discharge (like from the ears)
• Musty odor (might smell like yeast, popcorn, or Fritos)
• Recurrent or chronic ear infections

There are two ways to treat a yeast infection – internally and externally. Your vet may recommend one approach or both.

• Internal (oral) treatment – In severe, widespread, or chronic yeast infections, your vet may prescribe oral medication for your dog. Usually, your vet will prescribe an antifungal medication like fluconazole, itraconazole, or ketoconazole. Yeast infections can also trigger secondary bacterial infections, so your vet may also prescribe an antibiotic. Your dog may need to take these medications for several months.
• External (topical) treatment – In addition to (or sometimes instead of) oral medication, your vet may prescribe topical treatment in the form of a medicated shampoo. Your dog may need baths about twice a week with an antifungal shampoo massaged into their coat and left on for at least 10 minutes before you rinse it out. It may take up to 12 weeks of twice-weekly baths to fully clear up a yeast infection.

About Anti-Yeast Dog Food – Is it Simply Yeast-Free Dog Food?

Yeast eats sugar to survive, so many vets recommend cutting sugar and starch out of your dog’s diet to help clear up a yeast infection. Many carbohydrates (such as grains and potatoes) break down into sugar, so you want to find a dog food that’s as low in carbohydrates as possible.

However, starch is necessary to form kibble, so you may need to look beyond kibble to find the best dog food for yeast infections. While a raw or homemade dog food diet may be best, there are still some commercial foods available that may benefit your yeasty dog.

In any case, while you don’t necessarily want to add any more yeast to your dog’s system through their food, the main thing you’re trying to avoid is feeding their existing yeast overgrowth with starches and carbohydrates. You aren’t looking for yeast-free dog food; you’re looking for low carbohydrate dog food.

However, it is important to note that not all vets support the idea that a low-starch diet will benefit dogs with yeast infections (unless they have diabetes). That’s because your dog’s body naturally produces insulin, which breaks down starches and maintains a steady level in your dog’s blood regardless of how many carbohydrates they eat.

With that being said, diabetes and food allergies are common causes of yeast infections, so our anti-yeast dog food recommendations may still help many dogs recover. That’s because we included dog foods that are unlikely to trigger food allergies and work well for diabetic dogs, too.

Worst Ingredients for Dogs with Yeast Dermatitis

There are many ingredients you should try to avoid when looking at dog food for yeast infections, including:

• High fructose corn syrup
• Fruits high in sugar
• Starchy vegetables like peas or potatoes
• Starchy grains like wheat, corn, or rice
• Highly processed ingredients
• Artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

Best Ingredients for Dogs with Yeast Infections

On the flip side, these are the type of ingredients you should look for in anti-yeast dog food:

• Dietary fiber
• Lean, whole animal proteins
• High-quality animal fats (like fish oil)
• Greens like kale, spinach, and seaweed
• Wholesome, natural, unprocessed foods
• Low carb vegetables like broccoli and zucchini
• Probiotics and prebiotics
• Antioxidants from natural sources
• Low-sugar fruits

What about Homemade or Raw Diets for Yeast Infections?

The best way to ensure your dog eats a low-carbohydrate diet is to make it yourself. The tricky part is making sure you are giving your dog a well-rounded diet.

Always talk to your vet or a veterinary nutritionist before switching your dog to a homemade or raw diet. The last thing you want is to accidentally cause malnutrition or another health condition while trying to solve your dog’s yeast infection.

Wrapping Up: The Best Anti-Yeast Dog Food

Hopefully, you’ve found a dog food on our list that can help your dog overcome their yeast infection. We’ve tried to include dog foods that are low in carbohydrates, sugar, and common allergens to cover several different causes of yeast infections.

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