You could offer your dog all the dog treats in the world, but they would still want to try out some delicious human food at the end of it all!
Whether your dog has gotten into your empty bowl of strawberry yogurt you left sitting on the counter, or you are tempted to give them a snack of strawberry yogurt, you need to make sure it is safe for them to eat.
Can dogs eat strawberry yogurt? Strawberry yogurt can be fine for your dog to eat, as long as there is no xylitol and other harmful ingredients in the yogurt. The problem with strawberry yogurt is that it can be high in sugar, so if you are wanting to feed yogurt to your dog, natural or plain yogurt is best.
Not much harm can come to your dog if they have accidentally eaten some strawberry yogurt, but it is worth noting whether or not the strawberry yogurt has xylitol, as it could cause an upset stomach.
Keep reading to find out all there is to know about feeding your dog strawberry yogurt, and how to do it safely.
Can My Dog Have Strawberry Yogurt?
Strawberry yogurt is usually alright for dogs in small quantities. Strawberries are not toxic for dogs, and yogurt can offer some great health benefits to your dog. It is a good source of calcium and protein, as well as other minerals and vitamins, such as vitamins C and E.
Yogurt is also a source of probiotics, which are live bacteria that are incredibly beneficial to a healthy gut and digestive system. Not only are these benefits all great, but your dog will probably love the taste of strawberry yogurt.
As great as these benefits are for your dog, strawberry yogurt is not something that you should feed to them too often. Like with all things, it should be offered in moderation, and with some care.
Strawberry yogurt can contain xylitol, which could be upsetting to your dog’s stomach. If you are feeding your dog some strawberry yogurt, it is best to avoid any that contains xylitol.
You should also opt for a low-fat strawberry yogurt, especially if you have an overweight dog. The best option for your dog would be a plain and natural yogurt, which is free from artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
You can never be sure how your dog might react to new ingredients, so avoiding any unnecessary possible allergens is always a good idea.
Which Ingredients Should Be Avoided?
There are a few ingredients that yogurt might contain that you need to avoid, to not cause any harm to your dog. These are some of the ingredients that could be harmful to your dog or cause them to have an upset stomach:
1. Xylitol
Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar that is sometimes used in yogurt. For humans it is fine, but it can be toxic to dogs. Mild cases can see your dog with an upset stomach after eating xylitol, and in more serious cases, you should rush your dog to the local vet.
2. Lactose
Some dogs are lactose intolerant, which means they cannot digest dairy properly. Giving your lactose-intolerant dog anything with lactose in could cause them to have an upset stomach.
If you do not know whether your dog is lactose intolerant or not, you should start by giving them a small amount of yogurt to start, and evaluating how they go from there.
3. Other Sweeteners
Xylitol is the main sweetener that you should avoid in yogurt, but there are some others that you should be wary of as well.
These include aspartame, stevia, sucralose, and saccharine. These, like xylitol, can cause an upset stomach and can make your dog quite uncomfortable.
4. High Sugar Content
Do not feed your dog yogurt which has a high sugar content. They do not need high amounts of sugar in their diet, and there is no reason for you to feed them anything that contains loads of sugar.
This can lead to obesity if your dog is given too much sugar too often, and even diabetes in serious cases as well. Plain yogurt with no added sugar is the best option to give your dog, as it avoids giving them any additional sugar that they do not need.
Are All Dogs Lactose Intolerant?
Most dogs are lactose intolerant, but the severity of it does differ from dog to dog. Your dog might be absolutely fine eating yogurt, while another might have an upset stomach after doing so.
It is not a good idea to just assume that your dog will be fine after eating some yogurt, especially if they haven’t really been exposed to lactose before.
This means it is a good idea to slowly introduce yogurt to your dog, in small quantities over time. Yogurt is lower in lactose than milk is, but it does still contain some, so you do need to be careful. You can give your dog one or two teaspoons of yogurt at first to see how they do.
The reason yogurt has a lower lactose content is because of the fermentation process it goes through. This fermentation process actually breaks down the lactose in yogurt, which makes it easier for the body to digest. However, you still need to be careful!
Lactose intolerance in dogs, and your dog eating yogurt and therefore lactose, could cause them to have an upset stomach, to vomit, and to have stomach cramps. The severity of this can differ between dogs, but it is such an uncomfortable thing for them to experience.
If you experiment with some yogurt for your dog and notice any of these symptoms, it is best to avoid any lactose going forward and to chat to your vet about what has happened to get their advice.
Can Dogs Eat Greek Yogurt?
If you are planning on feeding your dog some yogurt, Greek yogurt is the best option! It is low in sugar and lower in lactose than most other types of yogurt. This means that it is less likely to give your dog an upset stomach, and it will be easier for them to digest.
The downside is that Greek yogurt has fewer probiotics and calcium compared to other types of yogurt, but it still does contain a good amount of both, so they won’t really be missing out on much. It also has more protein, which is always a bonus!
Even though Greek yogurt is considered to be the best type of yogurt to feed your dog, you should always check the ingredients to be sure there are no hidden nasties that could cause your dog to become ill.
Tip – If you wanted, you could add a small drizzle of honey onto the Greek yogurt for your dog to enjoy. This will make it tastier for them and honey is safe for dogs to eat. Just keep in mind that honey is very high in sugar, and should only be offered in small quantities now and then.
Can My Dog Eat Soy Yogurt?
If you do not eat dairy, there is a chance that you might keep soy yogurt at home. Instead of feeding your dog dairy yogurt, you might wonder if it is okay to give them soy yogurt instead.
Soy is known to be a common allergen to dogs, so only feed soy yogurt to your dog if you know that they are not allergic to it. Some dog foods do include soy, so check to see if the food you feed your dog does contain it. If it does and your dog has no adverse reaction to it, you can start by giving them one or two tablespoons of soy yogurt.
Just like when feeding your dog another type of yogurt, make sure to check that the soy yogurt does not contain any toxic chemicals that could be harmful to them, and always feed them soy yogurt in moderation.
It should not become a large part of their diet, and should instead work as a snack or treat once or twice a week, only around one or two tablespoons at a time.
Can My Dog Have Vanilla Yogurt?
There is no clear answer on whether your dog can have vanilla yogurt or not. You will have to closely examine the ingredient list of the yogurt to determine whether or not it is safe for them to eat.
If the yogurt is naturally flavored with vanilla pods, it should be fine for them to have, as long as there are no other harmful ingredients included. Artificial vanilla ingredients such as vanilla essence and vanilla extract can cause bad reactions with your dog and should be avoided.
One problem with vanilla extract is that it contains alcohol, and while it is a small amount, it is still alcohol being fed to your dog. A small tablespoon or teaspoon of vanilla yogurt will not be harmful, but it does need to be fed to them in moderation.
Lots of vanilla yogurt brands also include a large amount of sugar and other additives, which can cause an upset stomach for your dog. It is best to avoid feeding them vanilla yogurt altogether, but if you want, only a teaspoon now and then is fine.
How Much Yogurt Can I Give My Dog?
How much yogurt you should give to your dog depends on their age, their size, and how they react to being fed yogurt.
If your dog is small, a teaspoon of yogurt every few days is enough. A bigger-sized dog can probably have around a tablespoon or two of yogurt once or twice a week.
When you are only starting out feeding your dog some yogurt, remember to do so slowly and with a small amount each time. This is to give you the chance to watch out for any adverse reactions that your dog might have, and not give them too much that could make them sick.
Can My Dog Eat Frozen Yogurt?
Your dog will probably love a frozen yogurt snack on a hot day, and frozen yogurt is absolutely fine to feed your dog, as long as you follow the same rules as you would if feeding them normal yogurt.
Make sure that the frozen yogurt does not contain any toxic ingredients that could be harmful to your dog, and that it is not too high in sugar.
Also bear in mind that frozen yogurt is cold, and it can be a bit of a shock to your dog, and even give them a brain freeze! Only give your dog a small amount of frozen yogurt at a time to not let them get too cold or too much of a shock.
If you wanted to make your own frozen yogurt at home to feed to your dog, you could place a tub of Greek yogurt or natural yogurt in the freezer, and take out a scoop for your dog on a hot day.
Can My Dog Eat Cherry Yogurt?
Cherry pits and cherry stems can be toxic to dogs, as they contain cyanide. You should never feed your dog cherries for this reason, as the risk of them getting sick is too high.
Cherry yogurt should be made from the flesh of a cherry, which is not toxic to dogs.
The other issue with cherry yogurt is that is can be high in sugar or contain other sweeteners, which are best to avoid giving to your dog if possible.
Can My Dog Have Yogurt Every Day?
If you are wanting to feed your dog yogurt every day, you must make sure that they are not lactose intolerant or that you are not feeding them yogurt that is high in sugar or which contains sweeteners, artificial flavors, or artificial coloring.
You can give your dog around one teaspoon of natural or Greek yogurt a day, which can be beneficial to their health thanks to the calcium, protein, and probiotics.
If you notice that your dog starts reacting to the yogurt, stop giving it to them and see if their symptoms improve.
It is always a good idea to chat to the vet first before introducing anything into your dog’s diet, especially something that is primarily made for humans. Remember also that a snack should take up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake, and the rest of it should come from dog food.
Can My Dog Eat Strawberry Yogurt?
Strawberry yogurt can be fine to feed your dog, as long as you check to see that the yogurt does not contain xylitol, artificial flavors, and other sweeteners. The yogurt should not be high in sugar either, as dogs do not need food that is high in sugar.
If your dog is lactose intolerant, it is best to avoid feeding them yogurt. If you choose to feed your dog yogurt, Greek or natural yogurt is best, as it is low in sugar and should not contain harmful ingredients.
Related Questions
Can My Dog Eat A Strawberry?
Strawberries are fine for dogs to eat, but only in moderation. Strawberries are high in sugar, which could be harmful to your dog. If feeding your dog a strawberry, cut off all of the green bits first.
Which Fruits Are Bad For Dosg?
There are some fruits that can make your dog sick. One is cherries, where the pit and stem contain cyanide and are toxic to dogs. Grapes and raisins can damage your dog’s kidney, and citrus fruits such as grapefruit, lemons, and limes can give your dog an upset stomach.
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