Is yogurt good for dogs?

Can Dogs Eat Yogurt? Everything You Need To Know

Yes, dogs can have yogurt. A good source of protein, calcium, and probiotics, this heavenly food holds a valuable call in keeping humans and canines healthy.

Regular intake of yogurt builds a healthy amount of vitamin B in dogs which plays a major role in controlling autoimmune diseases.

Let’s find out more about yogurt and how it helps to keep your dog in good shape.

What Kind Of Yogurt Can Dogs Eat?

According to nutritional experts, non-fat plain or simply plain yogurt works well. The most important factor is that yogurt should be without sweeteners or artificial preservatives.

In addition, there are different types of yogurt available in the market for your dog.

Greek yogurt is generally recommended for obese dogs. Another type is Kefir, which also has all the benefits of yogurt.

All three types help boost better digestion and aid acceptable weight loss in dogs.

Benefits Of Yogurt For Dogs

Regular intake of yogurt builds up calcium content and makes your dogs’ bones stronger and athletic.
The valuable bacterial cultures present in yogurt significantly improve the performance of the dog’s immune system.
This delicious snack has a high amount of lactic acid that not only enriches the dog’s skin but also moisturizes the dry, dull coat.
The “good bacteria” in yogurt help to get rid of bloating problems in dogs. It helps better digestion and enhances gut function.
Magnesium and potassium present in yogurt help to keep a healthy heart function.

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How Much Yogurt Is Safe For Your Dog?

The amount of yogurt a dog can eat actually depends on the weight and size of the dog, activity and health level, amount of calorie intake, and also neuter status.

Look for your pet’s requirements and decide on how much to feed. However, make sure the amount of yogurt should never go above 10% of your dog’s regular food intake.

Is Yogurt Good For Dogs?

Technically yes, dogs can have yogurt which is good for them. However, many dogs suffer lactose intolerance issues.

If you notice the following symptoms after your dog consumes yogurt, better stop giving any type of yogurt or any dairy products to them.

Vomiting or nausea
Diarrhea
Belly cramps
Constipation

Actually, the recommended ones are plain yogurt or yogurt free from artificial sweeteners and xylitol. Greek yogurt is also advised.

Never buy sugar-free yogurt as it will contain sugar substitutes that can potentially harm your dog. Xylitol is another dangerous substance that can slay dogs.

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Can Dogs Eat Greek Yogurt?

Both regular and Greek yogurt are beneficial and make uncomplicated snacks. However, Greek yogurt is better as it has lower levels of lactose than regular ones. Also, it contains almost twice the quantity of protein and has lesser carbs and sugar content compared to plain yogurt.

Is Plain Yogurt Good For Dogs?

Yes. plain yogurt is safer for dogs than other types of yogurt for dogs with lactose intolerance issues.

Check the ingredient label always and look for the active cultures without any artificial elements or preservatives.

However, for dogs with a deficient immune system, live bacteria present in even plain yogurt can cause unchecked sickness.

It is not like plain yogurt will only work for dogs with digestive issues. Yogurt can also induce vomiting, diarrhea, and even gas problems in dogs with lower digestive abilities.

Can Dogs Eat Blueberry Yogurt?

Unsweetened plain yogurt with blueberries is safe for dogs. Blueberries contain antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins and are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. You can always add any safe fruits to pep up the treat.

You can mix chopped blueberry (never give full blueberries to tiny dogs for the problem of choking) with yogurt, freeze it in trays or kong and feed your furry friend.

Can Dogs Eat Peach Yogurt?

Yes, your dog can have peach yogurt. However, if you want to feed your dog yogurt with peaches, better prepare the treat yourself at home with plain yogurt and peach pieces.

Store-bought peach yogurt is not recommended for dogs as it may contain artificial flavoring agents and sweeteners.

Feed your furry friend with a little bit of yogurt first to check for any lactose intolerance problems.

Healthy Homemade Yogurt Dog Treats

Dogs will love this healthy and energizing low-calorie treat.

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

¼ cup banana slices (Medium size)

¼ cup greek yogurt (no fat)

Instructions

Add yogurt, and banana slices to a mixer and grind. Bananas are a great source of fiber aiding better digestion in dogs. (You can add peanut butter also)
Pour the mixture into a kong and freeze. (You can even feed the mixture without freezing)
Ready to feast

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Can Dogs Eat Yogurt?

Jennifer Lesser is a pet health and wellness expert and writer with over a decade of experience covering pet behavior, health, and news. Her work can also be found in Whole Dog Journal, Health, Dogster, Catster, and Animal Sheltering.

Updated on 05/04/21
Reviewed by

Dr. Monica Tarantino, DVM, is a small animal veterinarian and writer with five years of general practice, emergency medicine, and geriatric pet health experience. She is certified as a Fear Free doctor. Dr. Tarantino is part of The Spruce Pets’ Veterinary Review Board.

Jam-packed with nutrients like calcium and protein, as well as probiotics that help support digestive health, yogurt is a nutritious food that has been consumed by humans for hundreds of years. It’s believed to provide health benefits ranging from the prevention of diseases like heart disease and osteoporosis to boosting the immune system and aiding in weight control. But is it safe (and healthy) for our pets?

Generally speaking, yes, yogurt if done with certain precautions can be safe to share with your favorite four-legged friend—but veterinarians warn that just because its safe doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for every dog.

Is Yogurt Safe for Dogs?

Rich in both calcium and protein, yogurt is an extremely healthy food for humans. Often touted for its digestive benefits, yogurt is a well-known food source of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that promote gastrointestinal health. These benefits may extend to our pets with small amounts of yogurt from time to time.

However, many veterinarians agree that offering your pet a probiotic supplement formulated specifically for dogs is going to be more beneficial, as the amount of yogurt that would be recommended to offer dogs isn’t going to be quite enough to provide significant health benefits.

Dangers of Yogurt for Dogs

While plain yogurt is not toxic to dogs, many dogs have difficulty digesting yogurt and other dairy products due to the fact that they contain lactose. After your dog leaves his or her year of puppyhood behind, their bodies are no longer designed to digest lactose—so feeding your dog yogurt or other sources of dairy might cause GI upset and symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and gas. Any of these symptoms will warrant a call to your veterinarian, who can help guide you on how to safely ease your pooch’s stomach upset.

Not only is the lactose in yogurt a concern, but its fat content. The high fat content in yogurt can cause your dog additional stomach upset. Too much fat in your pet’s diet can even lead to more serious conditions, such as pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that can be potentially fatal.

If you are chosing to feed your dog yogurt, be very careful that the yogurt you are feeding your dog does NOT have an articial sweetener like xylitol. Any yogurts containing artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, are toxic for dogs, so any sort of sweetened or «low-fat/low-calorie» varieties should be off-limits for Fido as they often contain artificial sweeteners and other additives. In addition, high sugar foods are also not the healthiest for dogs just like for humans and yet many yogurts are high sugar. Be sure to read the label closely.

As with all treats, only offer your dog a small amount of plain xylitol free yogurt to see how he reacts. If your dog can tolerate yogurt, experts agree it’s safe to offer a small amount as approved by your veterinarian as an occasional treat (try mixing it a little into your dog’s food, smoothing it into a Kong toy, or even using it to bake healthy homemade dog treats).

Choosing a Yogurt for Your Dog

If you are going to feed your dog yogurt (and got the okay from your veterinarian), be sure to only choose varieties that are plain and free of any additives, such as either natural or artificial sweeteners like xylitol which can be very dangerous.

You’ll always want also look for yogurt with active live cultures, such as plain Greek-style yogurt. This yogurt is also a better choice for your four-legged friend because it contains lower levels of lactose than regular yogurt. Your dog may also prefer the thicker texture of Greek yogurt (the whey has been strained out).

Unfortunately, even a small amount of xylitol-sweetened yogurt is toxic for dogs, as it can lean to dangerously low blood sugar and death. Therefore, pet owners should always stay away from yogurt varieties that are flavored with fruits or other types of “mix-ins,» as these typically contain added sugar in the form of sugary syrups and other types of artificial sweeteners, including xylitol.

The bottom line is that while you’ll want to limit any «human» food for your dog, yogurt falls within the «ten percent» rule that’s often used by veterinarians—that is, treats like yogurt should comprise no more than ten percent of the calories your dog consumes every day. As such, factors such as your dog’s size and weight will play a role in how much yogurt they can tolerate, as will any underlying health issues. Generally speaking, if approved by your veterinarian, adding a tablespoon of plain yogurt (without xylitol) to his or her food will likely be a safe addition to your dog who may enjoy a new and exciting texture to their meal.

Article Sources

The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

El-Abbadi, Naglaa Hani et al. Yogurt: role in healthy and active aging. The American journal of clinical nutrition vol. 99,5 Suppl (2014): 1263S-70S. doi:10.3945/ajcn.113.073957
Some Pets Unable to Tolerate Dairy Products. Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
Pancreatitis and Other Disorders of the Pancreas in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual
People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. ASPCA Animal Poison Control
What are safe and healthy treats for my pet? Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University