Can dogs eat Yogurt?

can dogs eat yogurtYes

Overview

dog-food-safety-information

Can dogs eat yogurt? Yes. Packed with calcium, probiotics, and protein, yogurt supports bone, muscle, and digestive health. When looking for yogurt to share with pooches, choose the plain and unsweetened variety. Always check the ingredients list to make sure that it is xylitol-free.

Benefits

health-benefits
  • Significant amounts of calcium can be found in yogurt.
  • Yogurt is packed with protein that supports tissue repair and muscle development and improves skin and coat quality in dogs.
  • Yogurt contains probiotics that ensure smooth digestion in dogs. In turn, this enhances their immune system making them less vulnerable to diseases.

Risks

health-risks
  • Many brands of yogurt contain added sugar or fruits that can induce health issues due to their high sugar levels. Feeding this to dogs may lead them to develop diabetes, pancreatitis, and obesity.
  • Low-fat and low-calorie yogurts often contain artificial sweeteners, particularly xylitol which is extremely toxic to dogs.
  • As a dairy product, all yogurts may have varying levels of lactose. Thus, it can cause symptoms of lactose intolerance in some dogs.
  • Most yogurt tends to be high in saturated fat, which is unhealthy for dogs. It could cause health issues such as high cholesterol levels and heart problems.
health-risks-dog

Servings

serving-suggestions
  • Serve your dog small amounts of plain, unsweetened yogurt. Make sure that it is xylitol-free.
  • Greek-style yogurt contains higher levels of calcium and protein.
  • Sheep milk yogurt has more protein and minerals and better digestibility than cow's milk yogurt.

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