Natural Dog Candida Remedies

Natural dog candida remedies, such as herbs and enzymes, can be used to treat dog yeast infections from the inside out. Several steps are involved - Step 1 is to provide a natural diet to the dog; step 2 is to use supplements and herbs to combat yeasts; step 3 is to strengthen the immune system; and the final step is to detoxify the body.

Our page on Dog Yeast Infections deals with the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and conventional treatment of dog yeast. It also looks at using natural remedies topically to control yeast growth.

This page will show you how to use natural dog candida remedies internally to treat yeast infections in dogs from the inside out.

Using natural remedies such as herbs, enzymes, vitamins and supplements can help address and correct the underlying causes of this difficult-to-cure dog health problem. However, to make sure that the natural dog candida remedies work effectively, a step-by-step action plan with proper timing is necessary.

Here's how:

Pre-Treatment with Natural Dog Candida Remedies

Before starting treatment with any natural dog candida remedies, check the dog's thyroid levels first to rule out hypothyroidism. (As mentioned in our page on Dog Yeast Infections, there seems to be a direct connection between dog yeast infections and hypothyroidism. If your dog has hypothyroidism, treating the disease will eliminate the root cause of his yeast infection.)

Also, since drugs like steroids and vaccines can weaken the immune system thereby causing dog candida, avoid these medications and other conventional treatments that can disrupt the immune system. Consult and work with a holistic veterinarian instead.

Step 1 - Proper Diet

One of the most important natural dog candida remedies is proper diet. In fact, if your dog has yeast infections that affect many parts of his body, the first thing to do is to address his diet. This will help restore and maintain a healthy flora level in the body and reduce the population of Candida albicans in your dog.

Since yeast thrives on sugars, an anti-yeast diet should be meat-based, sugar-free, grain-free, and starch-free. Your dog should not be allowed to eat any form of sugars, including honey, corn syrup, and even white or sweet potatoes. Also, high-glycemic vegetables (such as sweet potatoes, corn, carrots) should be avoided.

An example of a very healthy, natural, and organic diet suitable for dogs with yeast infections (actually, it is good for dogs with or without yeast infections!) is ZiwiPeak Daily Cuisine Grain-Free Air-Dried Dog Food.

*For added benefit, coconut oil can be added to the dog food (1 teaspoon coconut oil per 10 pounds of body weight). The fatty acids in coconut oil can kill candida and other damaging organisms without harming friendly bacteria. The oil also speeds the healing of perforations in the intestinal wall - effective for leaky gut syndrome.

A good product of coconut oil is Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil.

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Step 2 - Use Supplements and Herbs to Combat Yeasts

The next important element of natural dog candida remedies is using herbs and dietary supplements that have anti-fungal properties to combat yeasts and control yeast overgrowth.

Herbs and supplements that are helpful include:

Pau d'arco: The inner bark of this South American tree is effective against fungi and yeasts. In addition, it has also been shown to have anticancer activity.
Rosemary and Thyme: The oil extracts of these herbs also have strong antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Caprylic Acid: This is a medium chain fatty acid found naturally in, among other things, coconut oil and palm oil and is known to have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
Undecylenic Acid: This is an organic unsaturated fatty acid that is derived from castor oil and is a natural fungicide.

An excellent natural product that contains the above ingredients and more is Integrative Therapeutics Phytostan. This Phytostan supplement is an excellent natural antifungal blend of powdered extracts for anti-candida intestinal support.

In addition, digestive enzymes (such as Prozyme) should be added to the dog's food as a dietary supplement. Enzymes are essential not only for digestion but also for helping to cleanse dangerous free radicals and toxins from the dog's body, thus they play a very important role in fighting yeast infections in dogs. However, very often enzymes are destroyed when food is cooked. By supplementing and replacing the enzymes destroyed during the processing of your dog's food, it ensures that toxins are removed from the dog's body.

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Step 3 - Strengthen the Immune System

In addition to the above dog candida remedies to eliminate fungal growth, we also need to strengthen the dog's immune system. Immune-boosting herbs such as Oregon grape or echinacea are effective. A natural herbal product such as Animals' Apawthecary OL-Immune is a good choice.

Furthermore, probiotics should be added to the dog's food in order to help re-establish the "friendly bacteria" environment in the dog's digestive system.

However, proper timing is important.

First, we have to reduce the candida population (by taking the above steps).

Then, two weeks after that, beneficial bacteria can be effectively added to the system.

The Final Step - Detoxification

Using the step-by-step action plan above works, but it takes time (weeks and sometimes months depending on the physical conditions of the patient). Moreover, very often, the symptoms of the dog patient may appear to worsen after the initial treatment. The dog may also exhibit some flu-like symptoms such as exhaustion, body aches, diarrhea, and nausea. This is normal.

The reason? When large numbers of yeasts or fungi die, their physical remains and the toxins they produce remain in the dog's system. These toxic substances and remains overwhelm the body, and it takes time for the body to eliminate such toxins, during which symptoms such as itching or skin breakouts may increase.

At this final stage, it is important to supply the dog's body with systemic enzyme supplements which help significally during detoxification. They circulate in the blood and break down inflammation and digest dead candida cells.

Here is a good systemic enzyme product:

Integrative Therapeutics Bio Zyme 100 Tablets

This supplment, Bio-Zyme digestive enzymes, contains pancreatin, bromelain, and other digestive enzymes which support healthy digestion of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

Given between meals (with a treat), this supplement will help in the reduction of inflamation systemically and detoxify the body.

In addition, the dog's liver, being a major toxin-removal organ, needs amino acids to work efficiently in this final stage of detoxification.

Here is a good natural product:

Proper Nutrition Seacure for Pets Powder 100 g

Seacure is a combination of an easy-to-absorb protein with essential minerals and omega-3 fatty acids. These protein elements are provided by Seacure in their simplest forms and therefore are readily absorbed by the body. It helps to promote general healing after an injury, illness, or surgery.

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To Recap ...

If your dog suffers from recurring infections of the skin, ear, or urinary tract, chances are these infections are caused by an underlying root problem - yeast infection. However, very often, conventional veterinarians fail to see the "big picture" and, instead of eliminating the root cause, simply prescribe drugs to get rid of the secondary problem or problems.

If you are one of those dog parents who do not want to see your dog suffer from recurring infections (and who do not want to spend $$$ on medical bills), consider dealing with dog candida the natural way. Natural dog candida remedies are safe and they address the root problem and so you can see good and long-term results. Good luck!

Dogs with candida often have recurrent ear infections as well.
Visit our page on Dog Ear Infections for some natural remedies
specifically for infected dog ears!