Can Your Dog Eat Yogurt?

Yogurt is a food that’s composed of milk, and the latter is a very important food in a dog’s early life when they’re still puppies, in order for them to develop correctly. In the dog food market, you can get a variety of foods containing milk, one of them is yogurt. But can, or should, a dog eat yogurt?

Many yogurts are made with cow’s milk and it’s a widely-consumed product by humans, and at the same time, a common food in families with or without pets. However, the question arises, can a dog eat yogurt? And if so, how should this product be consumed for them? Find out in this information.

What does yogurt contain?

Yogurt is a dairy product obtained by the fermentation process of cow’s milk. In this process, bacteria of the Lactobacillus and Streptococcus genera are used to achieve a complete fermentation. Fermenting the lactose into lactic acid is what gives yogurt its flavor and acidity.

For many years, yogurt was classified as a staple food for people’s lives, thanks to its healthy qualities, and it was later discovered that yogurt can be an effective intestinal soother. This discovery turned it into a product that shouldn’t be missing in our fridges.

Benefits for the dog’s health

A dog can eat yogurt as long as there are certain precautions that we’ll see later. For now, the benefits can be:

• It can provide the dog with vitamins B, C and E, as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.
• The lactic acid in probiotic yoghurts contributes to the dog’s health.
• Yogurt facilitates the digestion process, helping to improve symptoms such as diarrhea and constipation.
• Strengthens the immune system, producing more white blood cells.

However, it will always be important to get the approval of the veterinarian, to determine if the dog can tolerate the lactose in yogurt.

How to give yogurt to your dog

First of all, if your dog has never tried yogurt before, try to gradually add small portions of yogurt to their diet. This way the dog will become familiar with the taste. Then, take into account the frequency of the portions, as they depend on the age and size of the dog.

Once the dog is used to the taste of yogurt, you can prepare homemade recipes. Likewise, a creative combination is to take yogurt and spread it on chicken pieces without salt. Finally, a dog can eat it once or twice a week. Keep reading to learn the correct amount according to weight.

What kind of yogurt to eat?

Let’s start with a warning, dogs mustn’t eat yogurts that contain sugar or which are sweetened in any way, as sugar is one of the forbidden foods for dogs. Therefore, the yogurt must be unflavored. In the same way, those sweetened with chocolate or strawberry are dangerous for the dog’s digestion.

When you buy some kind of yogurt for your dog in the supermarket, take Greek yogurt as a suggestion, as it doesn’t contain lactose or sugar. It helps the dog’s digestion and, in addition, it contains proteins that strengthen the skin, coat and hair. 

How much is recommended?

As we told you earlier, the amount of yogurt a dog can ingest is determined by its size and age. Even so, the following should be taken into account:

1. When the dog weighs between 14 and 18 kilograms you can give them a spoonful of yogurt.
2. If the dog weighs between 20 and 28 kilograms, two spoonfuls are given.
3. When the dog weighs 30 to 38 kilograms they can receive 3 spoonfuls of yogurt.

Finally, these amounts can be given up to three times a week. However, the veterinarian can give a more precise appreciation of the healthy amount of yogurt for the dog.

Contraindications

A dog can eat yogurt, but not in all cases, as some dogs can’t tolerate ingesting lactose, and, as a result, yogurt becomes a toxic product for the dog. Consequently, when they consume it, they may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, intestinal and digestive problems. For this reason, yogurt should only be a supplement to the dog’s diet, and if possible, a treat to be given from time to time.