Benefits of Yoghurt for Dogs

Yoghurt is a food with a great nutritional contribution and many benefits for our digestive system, thanks to the large quantity of beneficial bacteria it contains. It's estimated that it holds more than a hundred million bacteria that are beneficial to our bodies.

So it's only natural that we wonder whether dogs can eat yoghurt, and whether they too can benefit from the nutrients and bacteria it contains. That's why here at Soyunperro we're going to clear up whether dogs can eat yoghurt, which kinds and in what amounts.

Can I Give My Dog Yoghurt?

The answer is at once very simple and very complicated: they can and they can't. We're going to explain it in detail so that we can all understand how and when they can eat yoghurt.

In the first months of life, dogs can indeed digest lactose, which is what allows them to feed on their mother's milk. They get this ability thanks to an enzyme called lactase (the same one used to treat cow's milk so that it becomes lactose-free without losing nutritional value).

Most dogs lose the ability to produce this enzyme in adult life. This means they can't digest lactose and break it down into galactose and glucose. That isn't the case for some gut bacteria, which will ferment this disaccharide, growing in number and producing flatulence and diarrhoea, and potentially even vomiting. These symptoms can persist over time even once milk is no longer being given.

Yoghurt is a product obtained from this very same process that takes place in the gut of dogs that don't tolerate lactose, but under controlled conditions with specific bacteria in order to obtain the desired product. These use some of the milk's proteins and the lactose to grow, and excrete other substances that give yoghurt its characteristic colour, texture and flavour.

The use of glucose is practically total; residual amounts do remain, however, which in some cases can have adverse effects on our pet. This is the case with Spaniels, which tolerate lactose very poorly even in very small amounts, so it's worth looking up information on the breed and its lactose tolerance.

On the other hand, besides problems with lactose, there's the possibility that the dog is allergic to dairy. Unlike food reactions in humans, which are acute and rapid, this allergy shows itself over a more drawn-out period and the symptoms can range from persistent diarrhoea to skin rashes. These symptoms ease off within weeks of stopping the yoghurt. They are, however, relatively rare.

What Type of Yoghurt Can Dogs Eat?

We should buy plain yoghurt, with or without bifidus. We must avoid flavoured, sweetened or fruit-piece yoghurts at all costs. In our humble opinion, plain low-fat yoghurts with bifidus are the best option.

Benefits of Yoghurt for Dogs

Its benefits are numerous — so much so that it's one of the most recommended dietary supplements. Yoghurts are an excellent source of highly digestible calcium and natural probiotics for dogs (unless the yoghurt is pasteurised), as well as vitamins and protein of great biological value. They help manage the digestive tract's microbiota and keep the gut healthy and strong.

When our dog takes antibiotics for medical reasons, they don't just kill the harmful bacteria; they usually kill beneficial bacteria our dogs need as well.

As we say, as long as the dog tolerates yoghurt well, it's an excellent dietary supplement. It's also the base for making healthy ice creams for dogs, something they love when the heat sets in.

Recommended Amount of Yoghurt for Dogs

The truth is that the recommended amounts are always a rough guide: anything from a tablespoon a day for small to medium dogs up to half a yoghurt for large dogs. We can do this three or four days a week.

We can give the yoghurt on its own or mixed into the usual food (dry kibble or homemade food). Although, as we've said, the amounts are always approximate, we know of cases of dogs that eat yoghurt every day and have gut health of iron, and others that only have it a couple of times a week and are also in excellent health.

What Precautions Should I Take?

Intolerance is one of the problems to keep firmly in mind. If you've never given your dog yoghurt, start with one small teaspoon alongside its food and wait until the next day to see how it went down. The amount of yoghurt you give should be increased gradually to avoid overloading your pet's digestive tract.

If you notice diarrhoea, vomiting or any odd reaction, your dog probably doesn't tolerate even that small amount of lactose, so you should see your vet. You also need to watch out for skin symptoms in the longer term, since these can point to a food allergy.

If nothing happens (which is the most likely outcome), your dog can eat yoghurt. Common sense is the best tool for working out whether or not our dog can eat yoghurt.