Are You Feeding the Yeast Beast? Five Unexpected Ways Sugar Can Sneak Into Your Dog’s Diet
Does your dog suffer from itchy skin? Despite our best efforts to provide grain free food, healthy supplements, and wholesome treats (see our recipe for Grain-Free Anise Seed Dog Treats), Crumpet recently developed a serious case of itchy feet. The culprit? A yeast infection – a common ailment among dogs, according to our veterinarian.
We carefully examined Crumpet’s diet and eliminated all sources of sugar, grain, dairy, and vegetable oil; common foods that yeast thrive on. Despite this, his feet continued to itch. We decided to dig a little deeper and examined his supplements. To our surprise, we discovered that his glucosamine chews contained sugar. This made me wonder what other sneaky sources of sugar might be out there. My research uncovered several surprising culprits:
1. Chews and Supplements:
Examine the ingredient list carefully when selecting chews and supplements for your dog. Sugar goes by many names, including (but not limited to) sucrose, dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, galactose, maltose, dextrin, and maltodextrin.
2. Table Salt:
Did you know that table salt contains dextrose? American manufacturers add sugar to their table salt to stabilize the iodine additive. Why add iodine to salt? Morton addresses the issue on their website: "In 1924 Morton became the first company to produce iodized salt for the table in order to reduce the incidence of simple goiter”. To avoid added sugar, choose an iodine-free alternative such as sea salt or kosher salt.
3. Broth and Stock:
Sugar is often added as a flavor enhancer, especially in fat-free products. Be sure to examine the list of ingredients before adding stock or broth to any recipes that may be shared with your pup.
4. Bacon and Ham:
Sugar gives a flavor boost to sodium-rich foods such as bacon and ham. Examine the ingredient list before purchasing to see if your product contains sugar.
5. Peanut Butter:
Some peanut butters are a sneaky source of sugar, especially those labeled “reduced fat”. Read the ingredients carefully to avoid added sugar. To maximize the health and nutritional offerings of peanut butter, it should have just one ingredient: peanuts. Added salt can be problematic (see item 2 above).
Be especially careful to avoid any peanut butter that contains xylitol, a sweetener that is poisonous to cats and dogs. If you suspect that your pet has ingested xylitol, immediately contact your vet or the pet poison helpline (855) 764-7661.
I hope you find these tips helpful as you battle the yeast beast. From our home to yours, wishing you healthy feet and happy dogs!
