Is Yeast causing your dog to chew its paws?

What is Yeast?

Yeast (most commonly Malassezia, often referred to as candida) is a normal and healthy part of a dog’s skin and gut microbiome. In a balanced body, yeast exists in small amounts without causing any problems.

However, when the immune system becomes compromised, yeast is opportunistic. It can multiply rapidly, disrupting the normal microbiome and leading to a yeast overgrowth or yeast infection. Some veterinarians may also refer to this as a fungal infection.

Signs of a Yeast Infection in Dogs

Common signs of a yeast infection include:

• Excessive scratching, licking, or chewing
• A strong “yeasty” smell (often compared to corn chips or an unusually strong “doggy” odour)
• Greasy or oily coat
• Skin that feels clammy or sweaty
• Flaking or dandruff

This dandruff is often yeast that has built up in layers on the skin and is shedding or dyeing off.

If left untreated over time, yeast infections can also cause:

• Thickened skin
• Darkened skin pigmentation
• Hair loss
• Chronic inflammation

Why Do Yeast Infections Occur?

Yeast infections are rarely the primary issue — they are usually a symptom of an underlying imbalance.

Dogs are more prone to yeast overgrowth when their immune system has been weakened or stressed by:

• Environmental allergies or food intolerances
• Food intolerances
• Gut-disrupting medications
• Immune-suppressing drugs

Other common contributing factors include:

• Hot, humid environments (such as during the wet season in the tropics)
• Diets high in processed carbohydrates
• Antibiotic use without probiotic support

Stress is another often-overlooked factor. Chronic stress disrupts gut flora through hormonal changes, which weakens immune function and increases the risk of yeast overgrowth.

What Makes Yeast Thrive?

Yeast thrives in warm, moist environments and feeds on carbohydrates, starches, and sugars.

Highly processed diets provide an abundant food source for yeast. All kibble, including some grain-free brands, typically contains 50–60% carbohydrates, despite dogs having no essential dietary requirement for carbohydrates.

By comparison, a dog’s natural ancestral diet contained less than 4% carbohydrates, obtained incidentally from plant matter. Feeding large amounts of carbohydrates is unnecessary for dogs and can create ideal conditions for yeast to flourish.

Why Conventional Treatment Falls Short

Conventional veterinary treatment typically focuses on:

• Harsh medicated shampoos
• Pharmaceutical antifungal or steroid medications
• Immune suppressing drug Apoquel
• Cytopoint Injections

While these treatments may reduce symptoms, they often act as a band-aid solution, addressing the surface problem rather than the root cause, which is commonly linked to gut and immune health. Many dogs end up on long-term medications, leading to recurring flare-ups, potential side effects, financial strain, and frustration for pet parents.

Successful treatment requires a combined internal and topical approach and may take weeks to months, depending on severity and how long the issue has been present.  Consistency and patience are essential.

Internal Treatment (Addressing the Root Cause)

To target yeast at its source — the gut — reduce or eliminate carbohydrates and starches. Feed a nutritionally balanced fresh whole-food diet.

If a 100% raw diet isn’t possible:

• Reduce dry food as much as possible
• Remove added carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, and potatoes
• Add as many fresh whole foods as you can.
  

Topical Treatment (Soothing the Skin)

Despite popular belief, shampoos containing oatmeal should be avoided, as the carbohydrates can feed yeast and worsen symptoms.

If you are already using a medicated shampoo, it can be continued initially. An alternative is unfiltered apple cider vinegar (ACV) baths. You can alternate between medicated shampoo and ACV baths weekly if desired.

ACV cleans without lather, balances the skin’s pH, and neutralises odour.

How to Do an Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Bath

1. Dilute 1 part raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with 1 part filtered water
2. Wet your dog with lukewarm water
3. Using a clean dish sponge, gently scrub the solution onto the skin - focus on symptomatic areas (usually armpits, groin, neck folds, jowls, and belly)
4. Rinse thoroughly

For yeasty paws: Stand your dog in a shallow container (such as an old ice-cream tub or litter tray) filled with the ACV mixture for a few minutes. Distract them with treats or a Lickimat if needed. 

For added soothing, you can include 1 cup of brewed and cooled chamomile or green tea (no sugar). 

Store the mixture in a glass jar or spray bottle. Bathe once weekly until symptoms improve.

Preventing Yeast Infections

• Feed a nutritionally balanced fresh whole-food diet
• Reduce kibble as much as possible
• Include raw or lightly cooked whole foods where feasible
• Use a dog-specific probiotic, especially after antibiotics

References

1. Bond, R. (2010). Superficial veterinary mycoses. Clinical Dermatology, 28(2), 226–236. (On Malassezia as normal flora and opportunistic pathogen in dogs)

2. Suchodolski, J. S. (2016). Microbiome in canine and feline gastrointestinal health and disease. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 46(1), 163–176. (On gut dysbiosis, immunity, and fungal overgrowth)

3. Devriese, L. A., & De Cock, H. (1999). Malassezia pachydermatis in dogs: frequency and significance. Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 46(9), 607–612. (On prevalence of yeast in healthy vs diseased dogs)

4. Griffin, C. E. (2001). The diagnosis and treatment of Malassezia dermatitis in dogs and cats. Veterinary Medicine, 96(9), 758–772. (On cytology and diagnosis methods)

5. McKenzie, B. (2017). Evidence review: Apple cider vinegar and pets. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. (On antifungal potential of ACV, limited veterinary evidence)

Disclaimer: Information contained here should not be substituted for advice from a veterinarian or registered animal health care practitioner. The examination, diagnosis and treatment of animals should always be made in consultation with a veterinarian.

SOURCE: AussiePooch.com.au