Can Dogs Eat Yogurt? Plain Only, Please
Dog Nutrition & Diet
A spoon left in an empty yogurt cup has a way of drawing a very hopeful nose across the kitchen. So, can dogs eat yogurt? Most can enjoy a small amount, as long as it is plain, unsweetened and free of xylitol, and as long as their tummy handles dairy well.
Yogurt is not toxic and is one of the easiest treats to freeze for hot days with your dog or spoon over dinner. The catch lives on the label: sugar, sweeteners, flavorings and the lactose many adult dogs find hard to digest.
Is Yogurt Good for Dogs?
Plain, unsweetened yogurt is safe for most dogs in small amounts and can be a healthy occasional treat. It offers protein, calcium and live cultures, but it also contains lactose, which can upset dogs who are sensitive to dairy. Choose plain or Greek yogurt with no xylitol or added sugar, start with a teaspoon or two, and keep it within your dog's daily treat allowance.
Protein, Calcium and Live Cultures in Yogurt
Yogurt brings a little protein, calcium and B vitamins to the bowl, which is why it often turns up among superfoods for dogs. Its live cultures can support digestion, though the strains are chosen for people rather than dogs.
For real gut support, a canine probiotic from your vet does more than a dollop from the fridge, so think of yogurt as a treat with a small bonus, much like sauerkraut for dogs.
Lactose and Dairy-Sensitive Dogs
Many dogs make little lactase, the enzyme that digests milk sugar, once they grow up. The ASPCA notes that this is why dairy can bring on diarrhea or other digestive upset.
Fermentation leaves yogurt with less lactose than milk, and straining takes Greek yogurt lower still. Dogs with a dairy allergy or delicate digestion may still react and often do better with these dog foods for sensitive stomachs.
Which Yogurt Is Safe for Dogs
The safest choice is plain, unsweetened, low-fat or nonfat yogurt with live cultures and a short ingredient list.
Plain Greek Yogurt for Dogs
Plain Greek yogurt is the top pick for most dogs. Straining removes much of the whey, leaving a thicker yogurt with more protein and less lactose than regular varieties. Choose nonfat or low-fat over full-fat, since rich dairy can be hard on sensitive stomachs.
A few fresh blueberries for dogs pressed into a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt make a pretty, naturally sweet treat with no added sugar.
Vanilla, Strawberry and Other Flavored Yogurts
Vanilla, strawberry, cherry, blueberry and peach yogurts are better skipped. Flavored tubs usually carry added sugar, and light or sugar-free versions may use artificial sweeteners, including xylitol.
For the same flavor without the extras, stir fresh fruit into plain yogurt yourself, using strawberries in dog-safe portions rather than strawberry yogurt.
Coconut and Dairy-Free Yogurt
Plain, unsweetened coconut yogurt contains no lactose, but it is high in fat and can loosen stools, so keep portions tiny and check for sweeteners. Almond and soy yogurts follow the same rule: plain, unsweetened and xylitol-free only.
Frozen Yogurt and Fruit-on-the-Bottom Cups
Store-bought frozen yogurt is usually sweetened and is often finished with chocolate, which is toxic to dogs. If your dog sneaks a chocolate-topped cup, this dog chocolate toxicity calculator helps you gauge the risk while you call your vet.
Fruit-on-the-bottom cups and yogurt parfaits can hide syrups, granola or raisins, and grapes and raisins are never safe for dogs.
Xylitol in Yogurt: The Label Check That Matters
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that appears in some light, low-sugar and "no sugar added" yogurts. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that it triggers a surge of insulin that can drop a dog's blood sugar within 30 minutes to two hours, and larger amounts can cause liver failure.
Check the ingredients for xylitol and its other names: birch sugar, wood sugar and birch bark extract. If your dog eats some, call your vet or a poison helpline straight away and do not induce vomiting unless a vet says to.
Signs of Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs
- Vomiting
- Weakness, sluggishness or lethargy
- Wobbly walking or trouble standing
- Tremors or seizures
How Much Yogurt to Give a Dog by Size
Yogurt counts as a treat, and treats should make up no more than about 10 percent of your dog's daily calories. A starting guide for plain, nonfat yogurt:
- Toy dogs under 10 lb (4.5 kg): 1 to 2 teaspoons
- Small dogs, 10 to 20 lb (4.5 to 9 kg): about 1 tablespoon
- Medium dogs, 21 to 50 lb (10 to 23 kg): 1 to 2 tablespoons
- Large dogs, 51 to 90 lb (23 to 41 kg): 2 to 3 tablespoons
- Giant dogs over 90 lb (41 kg): 3 to 4 tablespoons
Offer these a few times a week, not daily, and less for a dog watching their weight, since pet obesity in dogs is common and preventable.
Introducing Yogurt Slowly
Start with a teaspoon for small dogs or a tablespoon for larger ones, wait a day, then build up over several days.
Signs Yogurt Disagrees With Your Dog
- Loose stools or diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Extra gas or a bloated, tight belly
- A dip in appetite
Mild upset usually settles once you stop. Call your vet if it lasts beyond a day, or if your dog seems lethargic or their belly looks swollen.
Easy Ways to Serve Yogurt as a Dog Treat
- Spoon a little over their regular dog food to tempt a picky eater.
- Freeze it in an ice cube tray with mashed banana for dogs or plain pumpkin puree.
- Stuff it into a hollow rubber toy and freeze it for a longer-lasting chew.
When to Skip Yogurt for Your Dog
Leave yogurt off the menu for dogs with a history of pancreatitis, a diagnosed dairy allergy or a vet-prescribed diet, and ask your vet first if your dog has diabetes.
If your dog turns up their nose, that is fine; yogurt is an extra, not a need, and plenty of dog-safe fruits make equally lovely treats.
The ASPCA also keeps a helpful list of people foods to avoid feeding pets.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control, People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs
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