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Can most dogs eat yogurt? Yes, but it’s not always a good idea. While yogurt isn’t toxic to dogs, many dogs have trouble digesting foods that contain lactose, which can lead to stomach upset.
In This Article
Is Yogurt Safe for Dogs?
If you feed your dog yogurt, it should be plain and free of any added sweeteners. Added sugars aren’t healthy for and some artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, are toxic to dogs.
Additionally, you should look for yogurt that has lots of live cultures, such as plain, Greek-style yogurt. This yogurt is typically better for dogs because it has lower levels of lactose.
Benefits of Yogurt for Dogs
Yogurt is high in calcium and protein. It also can act as a probiotic, which can be good for the digestive system.
Do the probiotics in yogurt benefit a dog’s digestive system the way they benefit a human’s digestive system? While it is possible for a dog to get this benefit from yogurt, there are better sources of probiotics.
Risks of Feeding Yogurt to Dogs
Although yogurt isn’t toxic, your dog might have trouble digesting it. Dogs’ bodies aren’t designed to digest lactose after puppyhood, and, therefore, a food high in lactose can cause gas, diarrhea, or vomiting. If your dog displays any of these symptoms, be sure to check in with your veterinarian. As with all treats, feed your dog a small amount at first and see how they react.
As with any dairy product, dog owners also have to be concerned with the fat content. Any time you give a dog too much fat in their diet, they can suffer from stomach upset, or even pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal illness. As previously mentioned, always make sure the yogurt contains no xylitol.
Best Ways to Serve Yogurt to Dogs
For a dog-friendly frozen treat, you can spoon plain yogurt into silicone popsicle molds or ice cube trays and freeze. You can also fill a stuffable chew toy, such as a KONG, with yogurt and freeze to create a long-lasting enrichment treat.
As with any foods, if you have any questions or concerns about what to feed your dog, consult your veterinarian.