My guy Luca loves yogurt. So does Picasso. I usually give the boys a big spoonful of Kirkland’s Non-Fat Greek Yogurt on top of their breakfast kibble a few times a week.
But once in a while, they get a little treat with some flavored yogurt.* They like to lick the empty yogurt container until there isn’t a smidgen of yogurt left. Luca is usually successful at pushing Picasso’s face out of the container and he takes over. And boy, does he take over!
*If you’re wondering if dogs can eat yogurt, Yes they can!
In fact, it’s good for them! If your dog isn’t lactose intolerant, yogurt is a great treat and supplement to their diet. And for those dogs with food allergies to meat, yogurt is a great replacement for protein in their diet; yogurt is high in calcium and protein, plus probiotics that boost immunity and help aid digestion.
This includes Greek yogurt as well! Greek yogurt is strained to remove liquid whey and lactose, and ends up having double the protein and half the sugar and salt than regular yogurt, making it an even better choice for canines. It contains more concentrated levels of probiotics (live cultures of bacteria), which do good things for a dog’s gut. Greek yogurt is particularly helpful for dogs taking antibiotics, which kill off some of the good bacteria in a dog’s gut. The probiotics in Greek yogurt also fight yeast infections, which can help dogs with recurring ear or skin infections.
What to Look for:
Only choose yogurts that are free of sweeteners and flavors; plain yogurt will do just fine. Artificial sweeteners can be toxic for dogs, especially xylitol which can lead to drops in blood pressure, seizures, and even death. Stevia, aspartame, and sucralose aren’t good for your pup either, so make sure the yogurt is pure and plain.
Choose yogurts with live active bacteria in them so your pooch gets all the probiotic benefits such as digestive balance and overall immune defense.
Look for low fat or fat free plain yogurts. Excess fat in foods can cause multiple problems in dogs – everything from weight gain to pancreatitis.
So how do you serve yogurt? You can go simple with a spoonful of it on top of their food, mix it in, or you can use it as an ingredient in treats and homemade dog food. You can also freeze plain yogurt in ice cube trays for a cool treat. Generally, one to two teaspoons of yogurt a day is a fair amount to give your dog. (Source: Healthy Paws Pet Insurance blog)
Do you give your dog(s) yogurt? If so, what kind is their favorite?