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Strawberry yogurt is a delicious dairy-based snack with an irresistible taste. It can be tempting to let your dog have a lick knowing that they will probably enjoy it as much as you do. So can dogs eat strawberry yogurt? The short answer is it depends on the ingredients. In general, dogs can eat small amounts of strawberry yogurt as long as it is naturally flavored and contains no toxic ingredients such as xylitol.
Keep reading to find out what you need to know about feeding your dog strawberry yogurt and whether it offers any nutritional benefits to them.
The 3 Benefits of Strawberry Yogurt for Dogs
Dogs can safely eat a small amount of strawberry yogurt if it is free from harmful ingredients such as xylitol and risky preservatives. Most dogs have no problem eating naturally flavored strawberry yogurt unless they are severely lactose intolerant or have dietary restrictions for weight management or certain health conditions. Yogurt can have a few nutritional benefits which we will go through but always check with your vet before giving your pup any new foods. As a general rule, plain natural yogurt is a safer option for dogs than strawberry yogurt.
1. Probiotics
Yogurt, including strawberry, contains live cultures that may help support your dog’s gut microbiome and digestive health. Your dog won’t get many probiotic benefits from the amount of yogurt they should eat, so dog specific probiotic supplements are often a better option. Speak to your vet for recommendations.
2. Source of Protein and Calcium
Strawberry yogurt is a source of calcium, and contains protein. 100g of nonfat Greek strawberry yogurt has about 97 milligrams of calcium and 8.06 grams of protein.1 Although the best sources of protein and calcium for your dog would always be from their balanced dog food, a small amount of yogurt as a treat can offer a protein and calcium boost.
3. Helps Picky Dogs Take Medication
Most dogs can’t resist the taste of strawberry yogurt, which can be useful to encourage them to take their medication. If your dog is fussy about taking their medication without it being hidden in food, dipping it in strawberry yogurt could do the trick.
The 3 Risks of Feeding Strawberry Yogurt to Dogs
You also need to be aware of the potential risks with feeding your dog strawberry yogurt.
1. High in Sugar and Fat
Strawberry yogurt usually has a high sugar and fat content, which is why it should be fed sparingly to dogs. You want to avoid giving strawberry yogurt to overweight dogs, especially if their veterinarian has recommended limiting the number of sweet treats they eat. There are healthier alternatives to strawberry yogurt for dogs.
2. Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are not good for dogs, and some are even toxic. Xylitol is sometimes added to strawberry yogurt as a sugar substitute, but it is highly dangerous for dogs and should never be fed to them. Always check the ingredients list for xylitol and other harmful ingredients that would make it unsafe for your dog to eat.
3. Lactose Intolerance
Most dogs become lactose intolerant once they lose the necessary enzymes they used to digest their mother’s milk. This can make them sensitive to the lactose in cow or goat milk. It’s not a good idea to give strawberry yogurt (or any dairy products) to your dog if they are lactose intolerant.
Signs your dog could be lactose intolerant primarily include gastrointestinal issues after drinking or eating lactose-containing foods.
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Flatulence
Feeding Strawberry Yogurt to Dogs
The safest kind of strawberry yogurt would be homemade combining fresh strawberries and plain, Greek yogurt. If selecting a commercial product choose one which is naturally flavored and free from added sugars, and artificial ingredients. You must ensure that it does not contain any xylitol.
Most small to medium-sized dogs should only have a lick of the strawberry yogurt from a teaspoon. Larger dog breeds could have a bit more in a tablespoon.
Conclusion
Both yogurt and strawberries are safe occasional treats for most dogs. However, most shop bought strawberry flavored yogurts are high in sugars, and many contain harmful ingredients for our dogs, in particular xylitol, an artificial sweetener. So although dogs can safely eat strawberry yogurt prepared without risky ingredients, if you want to give your dog a small amount of yogurt the safest option is plain natural or Greek yogurt.
Before adding any new foods into your dog’s diet, particularly human foods, it’s best to get the go ahead from your vet. If your dog is lactose intolerant, overweight or has any other health conditions, any kind of yogurt may not be the best treat for them.
Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
