Can cats eat nutritional yeast? You might have this thought if your cat begs for a taste while you’re using nutritional yeast to replace cheese as part of a vegan recipe. If humans can eat nutritional yeast, can cats safely eat it too?
The short answer is yes, cats can eat nutritional yeast. In fact, there are health benefits that nutritional yeast can provide for a kitty. In some cases, nutritional yeast has even been used to encourage picky eater felines to finish their regular meals!
However, you must remember that this is not the same yeast you use in bread or rising dough recipes. That type of yeast is highly dangerous for cats, and they should never eat it.
As always, you must ask your regular vet before sharing any human food with your favorite kitty, including nutritional yeast. Here’s what you need to know about nutritional yeast and cats.
How Is Nutritional Yeast Good For Cats?
As a food supplement, nutritional yeast is lauded for containing a high amount of B vitamins along with being a complete protein.
When it comes to B vitamins, these can help to improve the condition of your cat’s skin and coat.
Nutritional yeast can also provide a little bit of an energy boost for your cat. In some cases, it has been shown to have a positive effect on a cat’s immune system.
If you find yourself living with a finicky feline who seems to turn their nose up at their regular food, you can also try sprinkling a little nutritional yeast into their meals. The glutamic acid in the nutritional yeast can help make the dishes more appetizing to a kitty.
How Can I Safely Give Nutritional Yeast To My Cat?
You can buy nutritional yeast at most health food stores and many supermarkets. But it’s always advisable to consult with your veterinarian first and select a brand that they recommend.
When it comes to serving nutritional yeast to your cat safely, you’ll want to start small. A quarter of a teaspoon can be enough to begin with. Again, it’s always smart to speak to your vet before deciding on the exact amount of human food that you’ll be serving to your cat.
As a last reminder, nutritional yeast is different from the uncooked yeast that you’d use when making bread or pizza doughs. While that yeast can be highly dangerous for cats, nutritional yeast is safe for felines.
Has your cat developed a taste for nutritional yeast? How do you serve it to your kitty? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!
