Can dogs eat Vanilla Yogurt? The answer can’t be simple.
You have to pay attention to a few things when giving your dog vanilla yogurt.
Is your dog lactose intolerant?
Does your dog have tummy issues?
Answers to these questions and even more you can find above in our article.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Yogurt: Is It Safe?
Dogs can eat yogurt. But what kinds of yogurt?
There are 2 very safe options: plain yogurt and Greek yogurt. More information about these kinds you can find here.
Now, it’s time to talk about vanilla yogurt.
Vanilla yogurt is rich in sugars, which aren’t good for dogs at all. Sugars can cause diabetes, weight gain, or tooth decay.
Read the label. Some yogurts may contain artificial sweeteners such as xylitol. Xylitol is very dangerous for dogs.
Of course, a little bit of vanilla yogurt won’t bother your dog’s stomach.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Yogurt: Information About The Probiotics in Yogurts
Probiotics are made of good bacteria, that help the dog stay healthy.
Although yogurt is rich in probiotics, it can’t be the main source for dogs.
Firstly, occasionally you can give yogurt to your dog.
Secondly, the small quantity that you can give won’t give the needed amount of probiotics the body of the dog needs.
There are many better options for dogs that will give the right daily dose of probiotics.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Yogurt: How Much They Can Eat?
Vanilla yogurt can be eaten by dogs that don’t have lactose intolerance. As most yogurts contain a significant amount of lactose, we recommend limiting the amount you give to your dog.
Do you know the rule of thumb?
It says that treats shouldn’t be more than 10% of your dog’s calorie intake. In this case, vanilla yogurt can be a yummy treat on rare occasions.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Yogurt: Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance isn’t a problem only for us humans, but for dogs too. While they are puppies it’s a rarity for them to be lactose intolerant, but when they pass the puppyhood problems start. They already don’t produce the enzyme that breaks apart the lactose molecule.
Dogs may be lactose intolerant to butter, cheese, cow’s milk, ice cream, and yogurt.
Although yogurt can be tolerated much better than other products because it comes with its own enzyme that will break the lactose molecule.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Yogurt: Lactose Intolerance Symptoms
We already know the reason for lactose intolerance, now let’s find out the symptoms so you can feel more sure if you can give your dog yogurt or not.
- Abdominal pain;
- Bloating;
- Diarrhea;
- Dehydration;
- Vomiting;
- Weight loss;
- Weakness.
Consult with your vet if you notice any of the symptoms.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Yogurt: Nutritional Perspective
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Yogurt: Conclusion
If you want to give a treat to your dog, give a little amount of vanilla yogurt.
We highly suggest that if you have plain yogurt or greek yogurt, let that be your option.
Before giving your dog any kind of yogurt consult your vet, so they can give you advice and see if your dog has lactose intolerance.
First of all for us, as dog lovers, is important the health of our dogs. We don’t want to put them at any risk, right?
So, we can save the vanilla yogurt for us and give our dog something much better, like a bit of banana or mango maybe.
FAQs
Can dogs eat vanilla yogurt every day?
No! Only on rare occasions.
Can dogs eat vanilla yogurt mixed with fruits?
Depends on the fruits. Pay attention to which fruits are okay for dogs and choose the ones that contain really low sugar levels because already vanilla yogurt has enough of it. And give a really small amount of it to your dog.
