Yogurt contains proteins which play an essential role in building and repairing dogs’ muscles, skin, and nails. Furthermore, calcium found in yogurt promotes bone and tooth health in pups.
However, some dogs may be lactose intolerant and will experience abdominal distress or diarrhea from eating too much yogurt. Furthermore, many yogurts contain sugar or artificial sweeteners like xylitol which is toxic for dogs.
Table of Contents
Small Dogs
Yogurt is an ideal treat and meal supplement for dogs, providing lots of calcium, protein and probiotics which aid digestion while decreasing stomach upset risk. Because some dogs may be lactose intolerant, you should start by offering only small quantities (a teaspoon for small dogs and one tablespoon for larger breeds), gradually increasing them if no adverse symptoms such as gas or diarrhea arise.
Yogurt should be plain, free of added sugars or artificial sweeteners that could be toxic for dogs. Flavored yogurts often contain an excessive amount of sugar or the artificial sweetener xylitol which has been proven toxic for canines. In addition, choosing low-fat or fat-free varieties will reduce obesity risks as excess dietary fat consumption has been linked with obesity and pancreatitis in dogs.
Soy yogurt is usually safe for dogs as long as there are no allergies to soy, however the same rules as with any form of yogurt apply; ensure there are no toxic ingredients present and limit how often your pup eats it as overfeeding can cause digestive issues in their system.
Plain Greek style yogurt is ideal for dogs as it contains essential probiotics while boasting lower lactose levels than its milk-based counterparts. Plus, Greek style is great because of the calcium it provides which is essential for bone health in pets. Feel free to add fruits or vegetables for added nutrition if your pup likes it but beware exceeding recommended serving sizes as an overdose of nutrients could potentially be dangerous!
One or two spoonfuls of yogurt is an appropriate serving for small dogs, though be wary as certain products contain far more. Too much yogurt may lead to digestive issues in your dog including constipation and gas. If an accident happens and too much yogurt gets consumed by accident you should seek professional veterinary advice on how best to deal with this situation.
Medium Dogs
Vets advise only allowing lactose-intolerant dogs to consume yogurt; however, vets suggest no more than 10% of daily calories should come from yogurt consumption. Yogurt provides calcium which is essential in building strong bones for pets as well as protein, vitamins B & D and probiotics that assist digestion.
However, it’s essential that you opt for low-fat or fat-free yogurt so as not to overfeed your dog. Too much sugar and extra calories could be detrimental to his or her health and may lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure issues.
Medium-sized dogs should receive about a tablespoon of low-fat plain yogurt daily. You should avoid artificial sweeteners like strawberry and blueberry as these contain artificial sweeteners which could harm their health. Vanilla flavoring from real vanilla pod extract should be safe; synthetic vanilla flavoring cannot.
Yogurt is an excellent source of soluble fibre, helping alleviate constipation and lower cholesterol levels in dogs with hyperlipidemia. Plus, its delicious cool treat makes an enjoyable summer snack!
However, yogurt alone won’t provide your canine with the benefits of probiotics; to truly benefit them veterinarians suggest giving your four-legged friend an animal-specific probiotic supplement designed specifically for dogs.
At its core, the ideal yogurt is simply plain, low-fat, non-sugar whole milk-based yogurt – no matter the brand – for your pup’s digestive health and coat strength. But remember, no matter how many tablespoons you give him or her of this food supplement will fix any underlying digestive or immunity issues; so if they experience itchy skin patches, loose stools or poor appetite, consult with a veterinarian first before trying new food or supplements.
Large Dogs
If you have read up on probiotics and their advantages, yogurt is an excellent source of beneficial bacteria that will benefit your pet’s digestive system by decreasing gas, bloat and diarrhea. Yogurt also contains protein, calcium and other vital nutrients; however, too much yogurt could lead to digestive issues for dogs; for optimal results opt for plain, unsweetened and low in fat varieties of yogurt for their needs.
Before giving your pet yogurt, consult your veterinarian first. They can offer specific guidance as to how much yogurt to feed them based on their size and other factors. Flavored varieties contain sugar as well as ingredients which could harm them. Also check the ingredient label to make sure there’s no trace of xylitol, an artificial sweetener which is toxic for dogs and can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels, seizures and liver failure.
Keep in mind that although most dogs can tolerate dairy, some are lactose intolerant and will display symptoms of dairy allergy such as diarrhea or vomiting after consuming too much yogurt containing milk which contains high amounts of lactose. Nursing puppies produce enough lactase enzyme to digest lactose found in mother’s milk; once weaned off this sustenance they lose this ability and become lactose intolerant.
At first glance, yogurt might appear to be an easier solution than milk for digesting lactose; its beneficial bacteria help break it down into simpler sugars that your dog’s digestive system can easily absorb. Though yogurt does contain probiotics in sufficient quantity to aid its digestive health benefits for dogs, many vets still advise supplementation with specific probiotic formulas designed for animals as it simply may not suffice alone.
Just by adding one tablespoon of yogurt to your pup’s daily food regimen, it can help replenish natural and beneficial bacteria lost due to poor diet and stress. Mix in fruits and veggies rich in prebiotic fibers which feed beneficial bacteria for maximum effect – providing additional variety to their diet while keeping them happy and healthy!
Puppies
Yogurt is a nutritious health food enjoyed by both humans and canines alike, offering both probiotics and calcium/protein sources for your pup’s diet. Unfortunately, some animals can be sensitive to lactose or have dairy allergies which could result in stomach upset if fed yogurt regularly.
General guidelines suggest a teaspoon of yogurt daily is ideal for most small and medium sized dogs, though you should always check its calorie and fat content to ensure your canine is getting just the right amount. Too much may lead to weight gain as well as other health complications, while too little won’t provide the benefits associated with yogurt consumption.
When purchasing yogurt for your canine friend, look for one without added sugars, artificial ingredients or sweeteners like xylitol which has been known to cause liver failure in dogs. Also keep your choices low-fat as excess fat may cause other health problems including pancreatitis.
Addition of fruit or vegetables to yogurt treats can increase its appeal for your pup while simultaneously increasing its nutritional value. In addition to providing additional proteins, fruits and vegetables also contain prebiotic fibers that nourish beneficial bacteria in their gut. Popular options for add-ins for yogurt treats are berries, bananas, steamed carrots, zucchini and kale.
Some yogurts contain live cultures that can help restore balance to your dog’s intestinal flora after antibiotic treatment, including diarrhea caused by antibiotics or bacteria infections, while also improving digestion. Probiotics may provide effective support and aid in alleviating symptoms associated with diarrhea caused by antibiotics or infections as well as improving digestive efficiency.
If you are searching for yogurts that contain probiotics, the highest concentration is found in plain Greek yogurt. Be sure to read through its ingredient list to check for added sugars or artificial sweeteners; additionally if your dog has dairy allergies or intolerances try a product specially formulated and tested to meet these standards.