The trend of feeding yogurt to dogs is becoming popular. Yogurt is tasty and contains calcium, protein, and probiotics. In this blog, we will look at some considerations of giving yogurt to your dogs and puppies. Let’s get started!

Is yogurt safe for dogs?

Dogs don’t need dairy once they are weaned. Dogs can eat yogurt but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they should. While yogurt is not toxic to dogs, many dogs will have trouble digesting it. The best kind of yogurt is plain or even non-fat plain. You need to check the ingredients first.

“Non-fat plain yogurt is safe for dogs in small amounts. Too much yogurt or the wrong type of yogurt can cause some health problems” says Laura Robinson.

Few considerations before giving yogurt to dogs

While plain yogurt is not toxic to dogs, many dogs have difficulty digesting yogurt and other dairy products. Here are a few things that you must look at before giving yogurt to your pooch:

• Before feeding yogurt to your dog, you need to make sure your furry friend is not allergic to lactose. If your dog is lactose intolerant, it may experience digestive upset when it eats yogurt. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, nausea, or stomach cramps.
• How much yogurt you feed your dog should be based on the ten percent treat rule. The right serving size for dogs varies based on the kind of yogurt and your dog’s size, weight, daily calorie intake, underlying health issues, and activity level.
• If you are going to feed your dog yogurt, it should be plain and free of any added sweeteners, both natural and artificial. Some yogurts labeled “sugar-free” will likely contain a sugar substitute like xylitol. Always make sure the yogurt contains no xylitol which is toxic to dogs.
• You need to be concerned with the fat content in yogurt. Dogs can’t handle large amounts of fats. Any time you give your dog too much fat, it can suffer from stomach upset or even pancreatitis.
• Yogurt can cause dangerously high levels of calcium and magnesium, which can result in seizures, G.I. upset, and heart issues.

Limiting excessive intake of yogurt can help prevent digestive upset. If you would like to share yogurt with your pup, give her a small amount and see if she handles it without any problems.

Are the probiotics in yogurt good for dogs?

Probiotics are good for both you and your furry companion. Adding probiotics to your dog’s diet can be an important part of keeping his immune system strong. 

Your dog needs specific probiotic strains that are beneficial for them. There are many ways to give your dog healthy bacteria and yogurt is a popular choice. 

If you’re feeding yogurt for the probiotics, it isn’t the best way to get these friendly bacteria into your dog. A moderate amount of yogurt won’t be enough to get many probiotic benefits from its active cultures. 

Conclusion

It is undeniable that your dog will enjoy the taste of yogurt. As a responsible pet parent, you must ensure to satisfy their tastes wisely and safely. 

Yogurt falls within the “ten percent” rule that’s often used by veterinarians. Even as a treat, yogurt isn’t a great healthy food for dogs. So, next time you think of yogurt as a probiotic for dogs, take a pass. There are better sources of probiotics for dogs.

Did you find this article useful? Feel free to share your thoughts. We would be happy to hear from you!

References

Ripley, Katherine. (2015) ‘Can Dogs Eat Yogurt?’, AKC, 11 May, Available at https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-yogurt/ (Accessed 24 January 2022)

https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-nutrition/what-can-dogs-eat/can-dogs-eat-yogurt (Accessed 24 January 2022)

Grewal, Gogi. (2022) ‘Is Yogurt Good For Dogs?’, DogsNaturallyMagazine, 4 January, Available at https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/can-dogs-eat-yogurt-probiotics/ (Accessed 24 January 2022)

Lesser, Jennifer. (2021) ‘Can Dogs Eat Yogurt?’, The Spruce Pets, 5 April, Available at https://www.thesprucepets.com/can-dogs-eat-yogurt-4802021 (Accessed 24 January 2022)

El-Abbadi, Naglaa Hani et al. ‘Yogurt: role in healthy and active aging’, The American journal of clinical nutrition, 2014, 99(5), pp. 1263S–1270S

Some Pets Unable to Tolerate Dairy Products. Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, 2012

People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. ASPCA Animal Poison Control, Available at https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets?ms=MP_PMK_GGPoisonControl (Accessed 24 January 2022)

Clinical Nutrition Team. (2016), ‘What are safe and healthy treats for my pet?’, Vet Nutrition, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, 5 January, Available at https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/01/what-are-safe-and-healthy-treats-for-my-pet/ (Accessed 24 January 2022)