Dairy & eggs
Can cats eat yogurt?
A lick of plain yogurt is usually tolerated, because fermentation lowers the lactose. Many adult cats still get an upset stomach, so keep it tiny and occasional.
Why Lactose, sugar, and xylitol in some "light" or sugar-free yogurts
By Maya HartIf your cat ate some
- A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset.
- Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
- If the yogurt contained xylitol (sometimes listed as birch sugar), treat it as an emergency.
Signs to watch for
- Gas and loose stools
- Vomiting
- Signs of xylitol poisoning: weakness, wobbliness, collapse
How much, how often
Half a teaspoon at most.
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of the day’s calories. Work out your pet’s calories
Serving it safely
- Plain, unsweetened, unflavoured yogurt only
- Check the ingredients for xylitol or birch sugar
- Greek yogurt has less lactose — a good choice
- Freeze a spoonful in a toy for a cooling treat
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs In moderation
Yes, a little plain yogurt is fine for most dogs. Choose unsweetened, unflavoured yogurt and check the label for xylitol, which is deadly to dogs.
How much: A teaspoon for a small dog, a tablespoon or two for a large dog, a few times a week.
Can dogs eat yogurt?Cats In moderation
A lick of plain yogurt is usually tolerated, because fermentation lowers the lactose. Many adult cats still get an upset stomach, so keep it tiny and occasional.
How much: Half a teaspoon at most.
The details
Yogurt is often suggested as a natural probiotic for pets. The live cultures in human yogurt are not designed for the canine or feline gut and are present in small numbers, so if your vet recommends a probiotic, a veterinary product is more reliable. As an occasional treat, though, a spoonful of plain yogurt is a reasonable choice for most dogs.
Fruit yogurts, dessert yogurts and anything labelled “light” deserve a second look: they are high in sugar or use sweeteners, and xylitol causes a sudden drop in blood sugar in dogs within half an hour.
Safer treats your cat can have instead
Questions owners ask
Can cats eat yogurt?
A lick of plain yogurt is usually tolerated, because fermentation lowers the lactose. Many adult cats still get an upset stomach, so keep it tiny and occasional.
How much yogurt can a cat have?
Half a teaspoon at most.
What makes yogurt risky for cats?
Lactose, sugar, and xylitol in some "light" or sugar-free yogurts.
What are the signs to watch for in cats?
gas and loose stools, vomiting, signs of xylitol poisoning: weakness, wobbliness, collapse.
What should I do if my cat ate yogurt?
A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset. Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell. If the yogurt contained xylitol (sometimes listed as birch sugar), treat it as an emergency.
Is yogurt safe for dogs too?
Yes, a little plain yogurt is fine for most dogs. Choose unsweetened, unflavoured yogurt and check the label for xylitol, which is deadly to dogs.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
More foods for cats
Cheese
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Cottage cheese
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Milk
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
