Dairy & eggs
Can dogs eat yogurt?
A little plain yogurt is fine for most dogs. Choose unsweetened, unflavoured yogurt and check the label for xylitol, which is deadly to dogs.
Why Lactose, sugar, and xylitol in some "light" or sugar-free yogurts
By Maya HartIf your dog 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
A teaspoon for a small dog, a tablespoon or two for a large dog, a few times a week.
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.
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.
Can cats eat yogurt?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 dog can have instead
Questions owners ask
Can dogs eat yogurt?
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 yogurt can a dog have?
A teaspoon for a small dog, a tablespoon or two for a large dog, a few times a week.
What makes yogurt risky for dogs?
Lactose, sugar, and xylitol in some "light" or sugar-free yogurts.
What are the signs to watch for in dogs?
gas and loose stools, vomiting, signs of xylitol poisoning: weakness, wobbliness, collapse.
What should I do if my dog 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 cats too?
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.
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 dogs
Eggs
Cottage cheese
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Cheese
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Milk
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation