Yes, dogs can eat yogurt, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they should. While yogurt is not toxic to dogs, because it contains lactose, many canines will have trouble digesting it.

Is Yogurt Good For Dogs?

Yogurt is high in calcium and protein. It also can act as a probiotic, which can be good for the digestive system. If you are going to feed your dog yogurt, it should be plain and free of any added sweeteners, both natural and artificial. Added sugars are not healthy for dogs or humans, and some artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, are toxic for dogs.

Additionally, you should also look for yogurt that has lots of live cultures, such as plain, Greek-style yogurt. This yogurt is better because it has lower levels of lactose than regular yogurt.

Hazards of Feeding Dogs Yogurt

Again, although yogurt is not toxic, your dog might have trouble digesting it. Dogs’ bodies are not designed to digest lactose after puppyhood, and, therefore, a food high in lactose can cause gas, diarrhea, and vomiting. If your dog displays any of these reactions, be sure to check in with your veterinarian.As with any dairy product, dog owners also have to be concerned with the fat content. Any time you give a dog too much fat in his diet, he can suffer from stomach upset, or even pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal illness.

Always make sure the yogurt contains no xylitol, an artificial sweetener, which is toxic to dogs.

As with all treats, feed your dog a small amount and see how he reacts. If he doesn’t have any of the above symptoms, it’s fine to feed him this treat once in a while.

Can Yogurt Benefit Dogs?

Do the probiotics in yogurt benefit a dog’s digestive system the way they benefit a human’s digestive system? While it is possible for a dog to get this benefit from yogurt, there are better sources of probiotics.

Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets FortiFlora® is a probiotic supplement designed for dogs and cats, which is frequently recommended by veterinarians. FortiFlora® provides the good bacteria that can help improve your dog’s intestinal health, without the lactose that may be difficult for him to digest.

If you have any questions or concerns about what to feed your dog, consult your veterinarian.

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Text Source: AKC