Can Dogs Eat Yoghurt?

 

Estimated Read Time: 2 minutes

Summary: In this blog, we’ll discover if dogs can eat yogurt. Does yoghurt offer any health benefits or is it something to avoid giving to your pooch? Keep reading to find out if yoghurt is good for dogs…

 

Yoghurt; it has many positive connotations! We know, for us humans, the ample health benefits it can offer us. From being a natural source of nutrients (including vitamin B, D, B12, calcium, and potassium) to supporting our digestive health, yoghurt has been touted as a miracle food for many years…

But does it offer the same health benefits for our furry companions? 

Well, it turns out the answer isn’t that simple. In fact, you can give your pup yoghurt, but it may not offer as many positive benefits to your dog as you may think…

Is Yoghurt Good For Dogs?

In short, yes, dogs can eat yoghurt, but there are actually a few things we pet parents need to know before we start adding it to our pup’s daily diet…

High in calcium and protein, yoghurt is also packed with gut-friendly live cultures that can help support gut health - acting as a natural probiotic. Yoghurt also contains lactose - which can cause some issues when your pup is trying to digest it…

You see, once your dog has grown into a young adolescent and no longer feeds from their mother, they often lose the ability to digest lactose properly, unable to make enough digestive enzymes to break the lactose down - meaning many dogs actually have a lactose intolerance…

And, if your pup is lactose intolerant, yoghurt can do more harm than good!

Signs Of Lactose Intolerance & Dairy Allergy

The signs of canine lactose intolerance are actually very similar to what us humans experience, too - commonly causing some digestive issues, including:

• Loose stools
• Constipation
• Gas
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps

If you notice any of the above symptoms after your dog has consumed yoghurt, seek medical help as soon as possible.

Is Yoghurt A Natural Probiotic For Dogs?

While yoghurt is a good source of probiotics, it isn’t the best way to provide your dog with gut support. With the risk of causing stomach upsets, it would be ideal to add a specific probiotic supplement to your dog’s daily routine.

PetLab Co.’s Probiotic chews for dogs have been formulated to provide a unique blend of properties, antioxidants & live cultures to help balance healthy bacteria and support the digestive system.

What Yoghurt Is Safe For Dogs?

If you do decide to add yogurt to your pup’s diet, it would be wise to find a plain, natural yogurt with lots of live cultures, free from any additives, artificial ingredients, or sweeteners - especially xylitol as it is very toxic to dogs!

With the right type of yogurt, in the right quantity, yogurt can be a delicious, healthy treat for your pooch. 

Whether you use it to help your pup gobble up a supplement, spread it over a lick mat, or freeze small amounts with other foods for your dog as a summer treat, yogurt has its positives and negatives.

Sources

Author Riley, Katherine “Can Dogs Eat Yogurt?” American Kennel Club, May 11. 2015 https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-yogurt/ 

Author Grewal, Gogi “Is Yogurt Good For Dogs?” Dogs Naturally Magazine, Jan 04. 2022
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/can-dogs-eat-yogurt-probiotics/