The combination of brewer’s yeast and garlic is a natural remedy that repels fleas and ticks from pets, most commonly dogs and cats. It also provides vitamins and minerals to help animals have healthy coats and skin, reduces shedding and improves the pet’s immune system. It can be given as a tablet, pill or powder and some use it as a spray. Care should be taken when administrating brewer’s yeast and garlic to pets, though, because side effects can occur.
The brewer’s yeast in this combination helps to strengthen the immune system, makes pets’ coats shiny and promotes healthy skin. This common supplement is a good source of B vitamins, proteins, amino acids and trace minerals such as zinc. Garlic also helps to strengthen the immune system and, like brewer’s yeast, repels fleas and ticks. It is believed that, because of the garlic and sulfur compounds in the brewer’s yeast, the pet develops a strong odor that pests dislike and avoid.
There are several methods of giving a pet brewer’s yeast and garlic, including giving it all at once or in small doses throughout the day. Tablets are a popular method because it is easy to control the dosage by cutting a tablet. The powdered form is easily sprinkled over food and makes it easier for pet owners to give brewer’s yeast and garlic to an animal that is hard to medicate. Pills are available but are not as popular, because it can be difficult to give pills to a pet. Some owners prefer to mix water with the herbs, spray the resulting liquid on the pet’s coat and brush it through, believing it has the same effects and is safer than giving the remedy internally.
Pets should be started on low doses of brewer’s yeast and garlic with the owner slowly working up to the full dose, because there are side effects that can occur. Some pets are allergic to brewer’s yeast and can develop itchy skin patches while some dogs may develop bloat, a serious condition that can kill in just six days. Too much garlic can cause health problems for cats, such as damage to red blood cells and gastrointestinal problems. Brewer’s yeast and garlic should be given to cats no more than every other day. This remedy should be given to diabetic pets only under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, because brewer’s yeast reduces the pet’s ability to produce insulin.