A natural compound, brewer's yeast is praised for its many health benefits. And this applies not only to humans but also... to cats! Yes, brewer's yeast is also very beneficial for your cat. Very rich in B vitamins, it helps your whiskered friend maintain a healthy coat and is especially useful in fighting digestive disorders.
What exactly is brewer's yeast for my cat?
If you skipped biology classes in middle school, here is a quick reminder of what brewer's yeast is: it is a living microorganism, a microscopic unicellular fungus belonging to the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which naturally exists in the air, on plants, and on certain fruits and vegetables. It is notably used to ferment beer. Brewers rely on this yeast in the fermentation process of their brews.
Although useful for producing alcoholic beverages, brewer's yeast mainly has very interesting health properties: it is a source of minerals and trace elements (calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, potassium, phosphorus, etc.). And above all, it is very rich in B vitamins, essential nutrients for the health of cats (and also for us humans).
Available in flakes or powder to sprinkle, in capsules or tablets to ingest, brewer's yeast comes in various forms. At Ziggy, we chose to directly include brewer's yeast in our kibbles and pâtés for cats so that all our little companions can benefit from it.
Example of the composition of our kibble and pâté for sterilized adult cats with ASC chicken and salmon.
What are the benefits of brewer's yeast for my cat?
Brewer's yeast has several beneficial effects on a cat's health. As mentioned above, its main advantage is its richness in B vitamins, particularly vitamins B1 (thiamine) and B3 (niacin).
Vitamin B1 is essential for the proper functioning of a cat's body. This water-soluble vitamin concentrates in the heart, kidneys, liver, and brain.
Like dogs, cats cannot synthesize thiamine. They must therefore obtain it from their diet. Brewer's yeast is a source of vitamin B1, but it can also be found in meat (chicken, pork), egg yolk, and organ meats. However, these animal-based sources must be of good quality, which is not always the case in industrial cat foods that use reconstituted meat (a mix of animal and plant proteins) or low-quality meat parts without much nutritional value.
A deficiency in thiamine can have serious health consequences for cats: it can cause beriberi, a disease also found in humans that manifests with muscle weakness and neurological disorders (head ventroflexion, seizures). Cats are even more prone to thiamine deficiency than dogs, requiring four times more thiamine to stay healthy!
Note that the flesh of some fish contains thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine. Regular consumption of raw fish can also cause a thiamine deficiency.
Another essential vitamin found in brewer's yeast is vitamin B3 (niacin). It is also called vitamin PP for “Pellagra Preventive” because a deficiency causes pellagra in humans (apathy, gastrointestinal problems). In cats, it can lead to weight loss, weakness, anorexia, mouth ulcers, and diarrhea.
Vitamin B3 supports the proper functioning of the digestive system but also skin health and the quality of the cat's coat. It helps your cat have a beautiful shiny coat rather than greasy or dull fur. Niacin is mainly found in brewer's yeast but also, like thiamine, in meat and especially organ meats.
At Ziggy, our products contain brewer's yeast and high-quality organ meats to guarantee our little companions a sufficient and balanced intake of B vitamins. We do not use reconstituted meat, mechanically separated meat (MSM), or any kind of animal "waste" (carcasses, skin, feathers, bones).
Finally, minerals and trace elements ensure the growth and maintenance of hard and soft tissues in cats.
An important note: brewer's yeast improves the palatability of kibbles and pâtés, making them tastier for cats. A good point for picky cats who often turn their noses up at their bowls!
Brewer's yeast for my cat: daily or as a course?
Brewer's yeast can be given daily to cats but in small amounts. Excess can cause diarrhea or constipation. Therefore, the dosage must be precise! This is the case for our Ziggy pâtés and kibbles, whose recipes were formulated by Dr. Géraldine Blanchard, a veterinary expert in feline nutrition.
Our Ziggy products: perfectly dosed brewer's yeast + quality animal proteins = 😻
Brewer's yeast can also be consumed as a supplement for several weeks. In this case, ask your veterinarian's advice—especially if your cat has a medical condition (kidney failure, diabetes). They will advise you on the form (tablets, flakes, powder) and the right amount to give your little cat.
Note that brewer's yeast must be specially made for cats. Do not give brewer's yeast bought in supermarkets.
And for kittens? Our baby cats can definitely consume brewer's yeast as long as they are fully weaned!
Bonjour,
Je souhaite donner de la levure de bière à ma chatte de 14 ans voire plus…
En attendant de lui donner votre pâtée, ou dans le cas où elle n’aimerait pas car pas facile niveau pâtée, puis-je lui donner de la vivifiable ou la traditionnelle convient et en quelle quantité car je pense qu’elle doit se limiter en phosphore? Merci à vous
Bonjour,
Merci pour votre commentaire 😺
La levure de bière est source de vitamine B3, vitamine qui participe au bon fonctionnement du système digestif, mais aussi à la santé de la peau et à la qualité du pelage de nos chats.
Dans nos pâtées Ziggy, nous ajoutons de la levure de bière pour que nos petits félins aient un poil soyeux toute l’année. 😻
Mon chat perd ses poils puis je lui donner de la levure de bière ?
Bonjour,
Vous pouvez donner de la levure à votre petit chat sans risque, à raison d’une petite cuillère à café sur une journée 😺
Bonsoir.
Je commence les croquettes chat stérilisé saumon pour mon gaspar aujourd’hui et il a l’air ravi😻
Je le demandais si je pouvais lui faire une cure de comprimé levure de bière. En plus des croquettes ? Il fait 9 kg .Il sort d’une giardiose en janvier. Et lundi piquure antibiotiques pour gingivite .
Il a des boulette gingiva 1 par jour pendant 30 jours
Je pensais faire ça le mois prochain
Merci pour votre réponse.
Jessica
Bonjour, mes chats n’ont pour l’instant pas de problèmes mais j’aimerais savoir si on peut donner quotidiennement de la levure de bière à un chat insuffisant rénal ?
Bonjour Fabienne,
Merci pour votre commentaire ♥️
On vous conseille une levure de bière destinée aux chats !
Dans nos pâtées, la levure de bière est présente en petite quantité <1%. Il n’y a pas de risque de surdosage si vous ajoutez de la levure de bière dans sa gamelle. Cela dit, pas besoin d’en ajouter car nos pâtées apportent déjà tout ce qu’il faut pour Sybelle 😻 On lui envoie plein ronrons 😽
Bonjour
Je rajoute de la levure de biere en paillettes aux pâtés Ziggy pour qu’elles soient plus appétentes pour notre chatte Sybelle qui avait tendance à les bouder un peu.
Je lui donne de la levure Gerblé alors que vous dites qu’il faut donner une levure spécifique. Puis je continuer et cela ne risque t il pas de faire trop si il y en a déjà dans les pâtés Ziggy?
Merci d’avance
Bonjour,
Si c’est pour Ruby, on fait ça très très vite 😻
Bonjour
Pourriez vous faire un article sur le Sibérien.
Ma Ruby serait ravie 😀
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