Nutritional Yeast

Coco1 · 04-08-2005, 06:50 AM

I was wondering what form / brand of yeast you guys prefer? Do you prefer the health food type, or the cat / dog tablets given as half a tablet once a week? Any other brands ? (USA brands especially). Thanks.

**babyboos** · 04-08-2005, 05:37 PM

I used powdered nutritional yeast when required to increase the B vitamin intake of my furballs.

Coco1 · 04-08-2005, 09:38 PM

OK. This was one way I've heard of giving it. How much? Do you sprinkle it on their food? Once a week?

SnuggleHam · 04-09-2005, 05:23 AM

I never heard of giving this to hamsters... what's the reason for offering it and should I be giving it to my hamsters?

**babyboos** · 04-09-2005, 06:21 AM

Hamsters eat their own droppings (called coprophagia), and this is thought to be important as a source of vitamins B and K. Sunflower seeds are also rich in B vitamins. B vitamins are good for hairloss and act on the nervous system and therefore also very good for reducing stress. Stress is the primary cause for many hamster diseases which is why it is also good to use a pro-biotic on a regular basis. Stress tends to lead to a disturbance in the hamster's digestive system, and the pro-biotic helps to encourge the growth of replacement good gut flora/bacteria. There are threads on pro- and pre-biotics in the Hamster Care Section if anyone wants to read more.

If you do wish to supplement your little one's diet with yeast a pinch a week of good nutritional yeast is sufficient. It can be found in health food stores and is better than baker's yeast as it is less bitter and therefore more palatable to our babies. Tablets designed for pets such as cats and dogs can be used, however make sure they are plain and don't contain any garlic as this has been found to be harsh on hamster's kidneys. A half a tablet a week should be fed if you decide to use this source of B vitamins.

Coco1 · 04-11-2005, 08:02 AM

Thanks Babyboos. I'll try and get some of the powder, not sure how much he'll actually eat of this though - most will probably fall through the food to the bottom of the dish?

I've been looking for the tablets also but as yet have not found any cat / dog ones withOUT Garlic! Urrgh. I'll keep trying. I used to give the brewers yeast years ago, but then I guess thats all they had available at that time. It worked anyway! Grew Whiskeys fur back!

**babyboos** · 04-11-2005, 03:50 PM

Same here - I even got it myself as a child as I have always been vegetarian.