Can I give my dog yogurt instead of probiotics

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

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Healthy Foods Checklist: Yogurt for Dogs

While most dog foods on the market dont contain yogurt, the yummy dairy product may provide some nutritional benefits for your dog as a meal additive.

Plain, low or non-fat yogurt provides probiotic benefits and serves as an excellent source of calcium for our canine companions. Adding a small spoonful of yogurt to your dogs regular kibble at mealtime can provide digestive benefits and even help your dog stay full longer.

If you decide to feed yogurt to your dog, make sure to read ingredient labels carefully. Avoid flavored yogurts that are packed with sugar, and never feed yogurt that contains the ingredient xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic for dogs. Its also important to avoid yogurt that is chocolate flavored, since chocolate is also poisonous to dogs.

Before making yogurt a regular part of your dogs diet, consult your veterinarian to ensure proper serving suggestions.

Some dogs have a harder time digesting dairy products, so keep an eye out for any signs of lactose intolerance. These may include diarrhea, gas, and vomiting. If your dog displays any of these symptoms following yogurt consumption, follow up with your veterinarian.

The 5 Best Yogurts For Dogs | Yummy Probiotics For Your Pooch!

Searching for a new way to spoil Spot? Yogurt can serve as an excellent treat or food-topper for dogs, and it may even provide health benefits in some cases.

Well share everything you need to know about yogurt for dogs below along with some of our favorite options available to share with your four-footer.

#1 Seven Stars Yogurt [Best Regular Yogurt for Dogs] Certified organic by the USDA and made without GMOs, this is the best all-around yogurt for most dogs.
#2 365 Organic Greek Yogurt [Best Greek Yogurt for Dogs] An organic Greek yogurt fortified with five probiotic strains and made by a brand you trust.
#3 Happy Belly Greek Yogurt [Most Affordable Yogurt for Dogs] Packed with protein and made with only grade-A skim milk, this is an excellent option for cost-conscious canine owners.

Is Yogurt Safe for Dogs?

In general, plain, unsweetened yogurt is one of the foods that you can share with your dog safely.

That said, not all yogurt is safe for your furry friend. So, here are a couple of key pointers to keep in mind before feeding Fido some of this delightful dairy delicacy:

Keep it simple. Look for yogurt that is totally plain without added flavoring, sweeteners, or sugar. Its also a good idea to seek out yogurt that has lots of live cultures (aka beneficial bacteria or probiotics).
Stay clear of toxins. Remember to steer clear of any ingredients that can be toxic to your dog. This includes but is not limited to grapes, nuts, chocolate, xylitol, and sugar.
Dont use diet versions. Diet versions of yogurt sometimes contain the artificial sweetener xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs. Instead, focus on limiting your dogs plain, full yogurt intake according to your veterinarians recommendations.
Monitor calories. Dont forget that yogurt and any other treats should count towards your canines daily caloric intake.
Keep an eye on fat content. Youll want to keep an eye on the yogurts fat content as well, particularly if your pooch is overweight. Generally speaking, yogurt should be served in small quantities.
Go for Greek. Greek yogurt has less lactose, so many dogs are able to digest it easier. Its also more nutritious and has thicker texture that many pooches prefer, so its a better buy overall.

Why Give Your Dog Yogurt, Anyway? Is Yogurt Nutritious For Dogs?

When consumed in reasonable amounts, yogurt can be nutritious for your pooch and even help alleviate digestive issues. Some of the health benefits yogurt provides dogs include:

Supports digestion The probiotics found in yogurt can help support Spots healthy digestion.
Good source of protein Yogurt is an excellent source of protein for helping your hound maintain his muscles and stay energized.
Packed With Calcium Calcium helps your canine build strong bones and teeth. Thankfully, yogurt has plenty of this essential nutrient so you dont have to worry about dog calcium supplements.
Control Cholesterol Levels Yogurt can help reduce cholesterol levels for dogs struggling with hyperlipidemia.
Yummy Dont forget that yogurt is just a tasty treat! And ensuring that our dogs get the chance to enjoy some safe and nutritious foods from time to time is important.

While yogurt does have its benefits, it may not be the best fit for some dogs due to its dairy content; unfortunately, most dogs are lactose intolerant. That said, the bacteria contained in yogurt can actually allow some dogs to digest it more easily than some other dairy products.

Youll just have to see how your individual doggo handles it.

Bottom line: Yogurt may be a good occasional treat or meal topper for your pooch, but check with your vet before adding it to your dogs diet.Also, when you are introducing yogurt into your dogs diet, be sure to do so slowly and steadily.

The Five Best Yogurts for Dogs

Without further ado, here are five of the best yogurts for dogs.

While these arent the only options available, these yogurts are pooch-approved due to their minimal ingredient list, lack of added sweeteners, and abundance of active cultures. Just remember to stick to dog-safe recipes when picking a yogurt for your floof if you stray from our recommendations.

1. Seven Stars Yogurt

Best Regular Yogurt for Dogs

Seven Stars Yogurt

USDA-certified organic, low-fat, plain yogurt thats packed with plenty of probiotics.

About: If you cant find a suitable Greek yogurt option for your four-footer, this regular yogurt from Seven Stars Dairy is the next best thing. The organic yogurt is made with just whole milk and probiotics making a pure treat for your pooch.

Features:

Organic, non-GMO yogurt option
Yogurt comes in a generous 2-pound container
Plain yogurt has 8 grams of protein per serving
Added probiotics and active cultures help support doggie digestion

Pros

Users were impressed with the consistent quality of this yogurt
Contains added probiotics

Cons

This yogurt naturally produces a collection of cream, or a cream line towards the top of the product. While this can be mixed in to adjust consistency, some dogs may prefer a different texture.

2. 365 Organic Greek Yogurt

Best Greek Yogurt for Dogs

365 Organic Greek Yogurt

Plain, affordably priced, organic Greek yogurt featuring five live probiotic cultures.

About: This organic Greek yogurt from 365 by Whole Foods is an excellent, plain yogurt option at an affordable price. With 16 grams of protein and no fat, this is a nutritious option that is sure to get your pups tail wagging.

Features:

2 pounds of organic, Greek yogurt derived from nonfat milk
Features five different active and live cultures
16 grams of protein per serving
Affordable price point for pure, Greek yogurt

Pros

Customers loved the consistent quality and texture of this yogurt
Organic yogurt features five active cultures

Cons

This yogurt had very few critical reviews, though it may have a thinner texture than other Greek yogurt options since its derived from non-fat milk, which some pups may not enjoy as much

3. Chobani Non-Fat Greek Yogurt

Best Low-Fat Yogurt for Dogs

Chobani Non-Fat Greek Yogurt

Non-GMO, low-fat Greek yogurt with 19 grams of protein per serving.

About: While its important to stay away from diet or light versions of yogurt since they may contain artificial sweeteners toxic to dogs, a low-fat yogurt can be ideal for pups with weight concerns. This low-fat yogurt from Chobani is perfect for pups looking to pack in some protein without the excess fat.

Features:

Plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt
19 grams of protein per serving
Processed from non-fat milk with added cultures
Non-GMO yogurt with no added ingredients
Large 2-pound container of yogurt

Pros

Thick and creamy texture is great for pups
Great Greek yogurt option for dogs with weight issues

Cons

Some users found that this Greek yogurt was thinner than other Greek options, though this is to be somewhat expected, given that its a low-fat product.

4. Siggis Whole Milk Yogurt

Best Protein-Packed Yogurt for Dogs

Siggis Whole Milk Yogurt

Plain, whole milk yogurt loaded with 25 grams of protein per serving.

About: This yogurt from Siggis is made with whole milk giving it an ultra-thick, creamy texture. The yogurt is packed with 25 grams of protein per serving and five active probiotic cultures.

Features:

Thick, whole milk yogurt has creamy consistency most pups love
25 grams of protein per serving
Yogurt features five active cultures
Non-GMO yogurt comes in large 1.5-pound container

Pros

Whole milk yogurt has notably thicker texture which some dogs may prefer
Yogurt is protein packed with 25 grams of protein per serving

Cons

This yogurt comes with the a higher fat content than other yogurt options

5. Happy Belly Greek Yogurt

Most Affordable Yogurt for Dogs

Happy Belly Greek Yogurt

Protein-packed and affordable yogurt made from grade-A nonfat milk.

About: This affordable Greek yogurt from Happy Belly is super affordable and perfect for introducing yogurt into your dogs diet. The 5.3-ounce cups are made solely from grade-A nonfat milk.

Features:

Small sized 5.3-ounce cups for convenience
Made from a single ingredient (nonfat milk)
Protein-packed affordable snack
Compact container is easier to take on the go

Pros

Compact container is great for testing whether or not this yogurt is a good fit for your pooch.
Non-fat yogurt is derived from just milk and includes 15 grams of protein per serving

Cons

There are no added active cultures to this yogurt.

How Much Yogurt Should I Give My Dog?

The ideal serving size for Spot depends heavily on his size, diet, underlying health issues, and activity level. Therefore, its best to consult your veterinarian to obtain a personalized recommendation for your pooch.

But generally speaking, yogurt shouldnt take up more than 5 to 10 percent of your dogs daily caloric intake (assuming your doggo doesnt get other tasty treats your pooch shouldnt get more than 10 percent of his daily calories from anything besides good ol dog food).

Because your pooch probably wont be consuming more than a tablespoon or two on a daily basis, there are a number of ways to incorporate yogurt into his diet. Here are a few ideas:

Pupsicles You can freeze yogurt to create a fun frozen treat for your furry friend. You can also use yogurt to make DIY doggie ice cream to cool off your canine.
Topper If your pooch isnt crazy about his dry food, you could add a small spoonful of plain, unsweetened yogurt to the top of his bowl to liven things up.Yogurt is a great bonus ingredient to mix with dry kibble to make your pups eats a little more exciting.
In Pupcakes Yogurt is included in many dog cake pops, homemade dog cupcakes (aka pupcake), and other canine-friendly treats as a cake ingredient or a simple frosting for Fido.
Sweetening The Deal If your dog doesnt enjoy taking his daily supplement or medication(s), disguising it within a spoonful of yogurt can entice him to gobble it down without issue.
As A Treat You can also serve plain, unsweetened yogurt directly to your four-footer as a treat. You can also use it to fill a KONG, or put it on a lickimat for extra pooch enrichment.

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Yogurt can serve as a delicious, nutritious treat for your furry friend. Just be sure to select a dog-safe formula and adhere to your veterinarians recommended feeding instructions.

Does your dog enjoy yogurt? Whats his favorite way to chow down on this tasty treat? Wed love to hear all about it in the comments below!

FAQs About Dogs Eating Yogurt

Can dogs eat yogurt?

Yes, dogs can eat yogurt. Many dogs have some kind of lactose intolerance though, so while a bit of yogurt can make a great snack for a dog, you wont want to go overboard and give your dog too much yogurt. When choosing a yogurt for dogs, choose plain yogurt without added flavoring, sweeteners, or sugar.

Can dogs eat greek yogurt?

Yes, dogs can eat greek yogurt. In fact, greek yogurt is the best yogurt for dogs to eat since it contains less lactose than non-greek yogurt.

Can dogs eat plan yogurt?

Yes, plain yogurt is the best option for dogs. You want to avoid any yogurt with added flavoring, sugar, or fake sweeteners. The plainer, the better! Also avoid fat-free or low-fat varieties, as these often have added sweeteners that can be toxic for dogs.