You are enjoying your favorite yogurt and your excited pup jumped over and want to have a share of it. You have not fed it yogurt before and are afraid of any future health issues. Can dogs eat yogurt?
Yogurt is suitable for your dog. It provides nutrients that are useful for your dog’s growth. Some of the nutrients found in yogurt include proteins and calcium. We recommend feeding them plain, unflavored, and non-fat yogurt.
It would be best if you noted the kinds of yogurt that are right for your dog. Also, ensure that you give it the right amount of yogurt. It is crucial because yogurt contains varying ingredients. So, not all types of yogurt are suitable for your pup. Read on to find out more.
Quick Navigation
Can Dogs Eat Yogurt?
Note that your dog’s nutritional need is different from that of human beings. It is because the dog is a canine animal. Therefore, you should identify a way to feed the dog and meet its dietary requirements.
According to Veterinarian Laura Robinson, you can feed your dog with plain yogurt. Such yogurt does not contain fats. You should feed your dog with non-fat yogurt to avoid stomach upsets.
Your dog can also develop gastrointestinal problems if you feed it with too much yogurt.
You should feed your dog with yogurt that contains probiotics. It helps boost the health of the dog. Make sure that you buy yogurt that contains live active cultures because it is not harmful.
There are other sources of probiotics for your canine friend. Getting these nutrients elsewhere helps you to avoid overfeeding your dog with yogurt. The sources of probiotics include Proviable and FortiFlora.
Importance of Probiotic to Dogs
- It offers protection against viruses, fungi, and bacteria
- Creates a barrier to allergen products and toxic substances
- Promotes metabolism through the provision of vitamin B
- Promotes nutrients absorption through the production of enzymes
- Improves brain functioning
- Improves dental health
- Supports brain functions
4 Hidden Dangers That Yogurt Pose to Your Dog
Yogurt does not cause harmful infections to your dog. Even so, you need to have some knowledge about yogurt before feeding your dog.
Lactose Imbalance
First, dogs produce less lactose as they grow old. Therefore, lactose imbalance can cause discomfort to your furry pal.
According to Robinson, the digestion process of lactose in dogs is slower than it is in humans. Therefore, your canine friend may have diarrhea or vomit because of gastrointestinal issues.
Sugar or Sugar Substitutes
The ingredients used in manufacturing yogurt can be harmful too. You may find a label on the yogurt that shows it does not contain sugar, yet it has sugar substitutes. Therefore, you should ensure that it does not contain any form of sugar.
One of the sugar substitutes that you should avoid is Xylitol. The sugar type can make your dog have liver failure, low blood sugar, seizures, and make it vomit.
Fats & Nutrients Intake
A dog’s digestive system is delicate. It cannot digest vast amounts of fat as human beings do. Feeding your canine friend with many fatty yogurts can make it suffer from pancreatitis.
You should ensure that you regulate your dog’s level of calcium and magnesium intake too. These two nutrients are available in yogurt and can cause heart problems.
Pasteurization
Pasteurization also lowers the nutritional value of yogurt. It is because the milk used to make yogurt is usually heated at a very high temperature. Heating kills bacteria and pathogens that can be harmful when consumed.
Two things can happen during pasteurization. Due to insufficient heating, harmful bacteria can be available in the yogurt. Therefore, your pup may consume unhealthy yogurt.
Also, the milk may get subjected to very high temperatures. Such a process destroys valuable digestive enzymes.
Ensure that you introduce your puppy to yogurt in bits. You can give your dog a small amount in a day and check how it reacts to it. If there are no danger signs, you can increase the amount and frequency as time goes by.
[Related Article: 11 Best Dog Food Toppings That You Can Mix In Your Pup’s Meal]
Types of Yogurt That Are Safe for Dogs
Plain, unflavored, and non-fat yogurt is the best for your dog. Non-fat Greek yogurt is also good for your pet. You can top the yogurt with edible fruits for dogs. These fruits include strawberries, blueberries, and bananas.
Are Flavored Yogurts Good for Dogs?
Not all flavored yogurts are bad for your puppy. You can feed your dog with fruity yogurt, vanilla, and non-fat yogurt. You need to ensure that the yogurt is sugar-free by buying a plain one.
You can also prepare frozen yogurt for dogs, which can be a good trick in the summer. You need to have a few ingredients to prepare it, but you can be sure that it will take less than 15 minutes.
Yogurt Quantity That Is Safe for Your Dog
The kind of yogurt and the type of your dog determines the serving quantity. Also, ensure that you have a record of the following about your dog:
- Weight
- Size
- Activity levels
- Health condition
- Calorie intake per day
According to Dempsey, you should feed your dog with yogurt that contains less than 10% calories daily. So, ensure that you are aware of the nutritional requirements of your furry pal.
Where To Find Information About the Nutritional Value of Yogurt
You should read the information on the label of the yogurt container. Note that the number of calories contained in different yogurts varies. Therefore, the quantity of serving differs too.
If you wish to ensure that you do not overfeed your dog with yogurt, you can add it to its food. Doing this also introduces a new flavor to the food, thus, making your canine friend like it.
Is Greek Yogurt Safe for Dogs?
Dogs can eat Greek yogurt that is plain. Avoid feeding them with flavored Greek yogurt. It is because it contains sugar substitutes. Sweetened Greek yogurt can cause health issues related to gastrointestinal problems.
Greek yogurt can be suitable for your dog because its level of lactose is lower. Therefore, if your dog is sensitive to lactose, you should buy this type of yogurt. You can be sure that it will enjoy it every day.
[Related Article: Can Dogs Eat Honey Like Human Beings?]
Wrap Up
Hope that we have answered all your questions about feeding your dog yogurts. If you are not sure whether it is safe to feed your dog with yogurt, always check with your vet or a professional.
You will find detailed information about the benefits of yogurt to your pup. In addition, you will gain knowledge about yogurt products that are good for your dog.
