Other additive

Dried Yeast

Dried or broken-down yeast, used for its B vitamins and its savoury taste.

Yeast is a single-celled fungus grown or left over from brewing, then dried. It’s a source of B vitamins and protein, and its savoury taste makes food more appealing, which is often the main reason it’s there. Yeast culture and hydrolyzed yeast also contain cell-wall compounds, which are studied for gut and immune effects.

An allergy to yeast is possible but isn’t commonly reported, and yeast in food isn’t the same as the skin yeast that causes ear and skin problems. Ask your veterinarian if your pet has one of those.

Also written as: Brewers Dried Yeast, Brewer's Dried Yeast, Dried Brewers Yeast, Dried Brewer's Yeast, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Yeast Culture, Yeast Extract, Dried Yeast Culture, Brewer's Yeast.

Sources

Swanson et al.: Supplemental fructooligosaccharides and mannanoligosaccharides in dogs. J Nutr (2002)
National Research Council, Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats (2006)

Updated November 2, 2026. General information, not veterinary advice.