Can Dogs Eat Yogurt?

Everyone wants to make sure that their dog has the best advantage when it comes to overall health issues.

However, like us humans, different dogs possess different tastes, allergies, digestive systems, and needs. What’s good for one dog could potentially cause intestinal health problems for another.

Yogurt is one of those foods that’s still raising questions regarding its health benefits for dogs. Many veterinarians I have spoken to have also mentioned that they regularly get asked this question.

If you’ve pondered whether giving yogurt to your dog is okay, keep on reading because in this article, I have spoken to three local vets and here’s what you need to know.

The Nutritional Value of Yogurt

Straight away, I can tell you that regular yogurt is a rich source of various proteins and calcium. It’s these two nutrients that are essential in promoting muscle and bone health in your dog.

Potassium is another mineral found in yogurt (and bananas, too). This mineral acts as an electrolyte, which helps to regulate the correct body fluid balance.

Potassium is also essential for enzyme regulation and maintaining the proper functioning of muscles and nerves.

Regular intake of potassium also improves and aids in your dog’s heart health. Yogurt also contains magnesium, which is essential in promoting the absorption of other necessary nutrients and vitamins, including potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and sodium, and vitamins E and C.

Benefits of Feeding Dogs Yogurt

Okay, so now you have a good understanding of some of the nutritional benefits of giving yogurt to your dog.

Let’s take a closer look at a few more benefits of this human food as an occasional treat for your furry companions.

Before you start adding yogurt to your dog food, it’s essential to pick yogurts containing live bacterial cultures so that your dog will get all of the probiotic benefits.

Yogurts that contain live “good bacteria,” typically referred to as probiotics, are essential for promoting the digestive health of your dog.

Natural unsweetened Greek yogurt (not flavored yogurt) is the best option for your dog since it contains a higher concentration of naturally occurring good bacteria than traditional sweetened yogurt and typically has no added sugar or artificial sweeteners.

It’s worth mentioning that the live bacteria found in Greek yogurt is called acidophilus.

These active bacteria play a vital role in maintaining the right balance of healthy bacteria while minimizing the harmful bacteria in the gut of your dog.

Suppose your veterinarian has prescribed antibiotics for your dog to fight infection. In that case, one of the lesser-known side effects is that the antibiotics kill the good bacteria along with the bad inside of the gut.

Therefore, it’s recommended that you give your dog yogurt a few hours before administering the medicine for the added beneficial bacteria that would otherwise be destroyed by the antibiotics.

Another benefit of this healthy food is its ability to help fight and prevent yeast infections, commonly found in young-growing puppies and dogs suffering from chronic skin and ear infections.

Even though yogurt comes packed with goodness, I have often found that some dogs don’t like the taste. So, suppose your dog has a similar dislike for this deliciously creamy treat.

In that case, I recommend that you give your dog a dog chew or a probiotic supplement that contains all of the advantages and health benefits of yogurt but has explicitly been manufactured just for dogs.

A good example is the NutraPet Probiotics for Dogs Soft Chews, which contain a unique probiotic culture.

It has been designed to offer several gastrointestinal benefits and aid in promoting good immune health in your dog. There are many other brands, but from my experience, all my dogs love the taste of NutraPet.

Watch Out For Lactose Intolerance

Another point to bear in mind is whether your dog is lactose intolerant, this is something you should watch out for as Greek yogurt could cause unnecessary discomfort.

Funnily enough, lactose intolerance is more common in cats. Still, some unfortunate dogs can also suffer from this condition, so it’s vital to practice caution. If your dog is lactose intolerant, it lacks lactose.

If this enzyme is not present, undigested lactose will pass through the gastrointestinal tract, leading to bloating, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and gas.

If you notice your dog starts to show any of these symptoms shortly after being fed with dairy products such as Greek or natural yogurt, ice cream, milk, or cheese, then ideally, the “trigger” food should be eliminated from the dog’s diet.

If you still want your dog to enjoy all of the probiotic goodness present in natural yogurt, but your dog is lactose intolerant, try feeding him safe supplements such as those mentioned above.

Your pooch will still reap those digestive benefits.

Always Read the Product Labels

There are certain things to consider when purchasing yogurt for your dog. Non-fat, low-fat yogurt, and plain yogurt will be the ideal choice.

However, avoid flavored, sweetened, and fruity yogurts, as they can cause more harm than good (plain yogurt also has a low-fat content).

Plain yogurt is going to be easier for your dog to digest. It will also help reduce the chance of developing pancreatitis; this severe condition might even require your dog to be hospitalized!

Another benefit of using non-fat yogurt is its low calorific value, which will prevent your dog from any additional weight gain, which can also have negative consequences on their health.

How to Include the Yogurt in the Dog’s Diet

One spoonful or two per day is the perfect serving size, and this will provide your dog with up to several minerals and nutrients, ensuring your pooch maintains a balanced diet and optimum digestive balance.

You can offer yogurt as a dessert or even spread it on his dog food.

Tip: You can also give him a special treat by making a smoothie with bananas, strawberries, and plain yogurt.

Last Words on Yogurt

Yes, dogs can eat yogurt, but yogurt and other dairy products might cause issues with certain dogs. Some dogs will fall sick after consuming dairy products, while others will not.

Always try to feed your dog a small amount first to see if they have an upset stomach or any of the other adverse reactions such as those mentioned above.

Ensuring that your dog’s immune system is in top shape is an integral part of your dog’s overall health.

Simply adding probiotics to your regular commercial dog food is enough to play an essential role in keeping his immune system healthy.