Yogurt is know of as a healthy food and has been around for thousands of years which originates from the Turkish term “yog”, which means “intensify” or “condense”. A lot of people love yogurt as a healthy snack but will often ask, “can cats eat yogurt?”.
You may assume that just because yogurt is healthy for humans, that it is also healthy for your cat, but this isn’t always the case. Cats have a very different digestive system to humans that processes foods very differently.
Some human foods are even toxic to cats. So what about yogurt, can cats eat yogurt, is it toxic for cats. What about all the different variations such as Greek yogurt and yogurt with different flavors? We reveal all of the answers backed up by thorough research.
Can Cats Eat Yogurt And Is It Safe?
It’s not a straight forward answer but yes, cats can eat yogurt as it is not toxic, providing it is plain and in very small amounts.
Cats are lactose intolerant which means they do no possess lactose which is an enzyme that breaks down lactose. So because of this, feeding your cat dairy-based products such as milk can cause stomach issues.
As kittens they do drink their mothers milk. This is because they do process lactose when they are young. As they get older (around 12 weeks) they lose lactose as it is no longer needed.
The most common symptoms of lactose intolerance include:
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite and weight
- abdominal pain and discomfort
- increased scratching
- lethargy
The other main problem is flavored yogurt that can contain ingredients that are toxic for cats, as well as artificial sweeteners and sugar. Anything labelled sucrose or fructose should be avoided. Even natural sugars found in fruits can be detrimental to a cats health.
It’s important to note that all cats are very different and some will be able to tolerate dairy products better than others. Some cats may even have an allergic reaction to yogurt. It’s always best to test in very small amounts.
One of our cats has a lick or two or yogurt now and again, and he absolutely loves it with no effects. If you notice any of the above symptoms after your cat has consumed yogurt then never feed it to them again. If you are concerned in anyway, always seek the advice of a veterinarian.
How Much Yogurt Should I Give My Cat?
Cats are obligate carnivores as a result of their ancestral diets which means yogurt is not an essential food for them. Taking this into consideration, yogurt should be used as an appetizer and you should only be giving them around three to four tablespoonfuls a week.
If your cat is not well and lost a bit of appetite, a teaspoon of yogurt may encourage them to eat whilst enhancing their immune system.
Health Benefits of Yogurt
Plain, unsweetened yogurt can have many health benefits for your cat. Let’s take a look at some of the health benefits of yogurt for your cat:
- Magnesium: Magnesium will help your cat to absorb other nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and calcium.
- Blood Pressure: Helps to maintain healthy blood pressure.
- Calcium: Strengthens teeth, bones, and muscles. Also aids in nerve function and blood clotting.
- Potassium: Strengthens muscles, nerves, and enzyme activity.
- Vitamin B12: Prevent anemia.
- Vitamin B2: Helps your cat metabolize the protein.
- Dental health: Yogurt contains live bacteria which can prevent gum disease and help to keep their teeth white.
- Probiotics: Promotes digestive health. This is also good if your cat suffers with hairballs. Probiotics can also boost the immune system.
Do Cats Like Yogurt?
Every cat is very unique so cats will love yogurt and others won’t eat it. The best way to see if you cat likes yogurt is to try feeding them a teaspoon of plain yogurt to see if it’s something they like. They may prefer flavored yogurt over plain, but giving them flavored yogurt is something you should avoid as it can be bad for your cats health.
How Can You Tell if Your Cat is Lactose Intolerant?
So above we said that to test if your cat likes yogurt, try them with a teaspoon to see if they like it. How can you tell if your cat is lactose intolerant? If they do not show any symptoms within 24 hours, then the occasional dairy treat should be fine. You shouldn’t do this frequently though as cats just don’t need yogurt as part of their diet.
The Dangers of Yogurt to Cats
Although yogurt does have a lower lactose count, feeding your cat yogurt may still have some complications. So if you have done the test that we mentioned above, here are some of the symptoms to look out for:
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite and weight
- abdominal pain and discomfort
- increased scratching
- lethargy
Can Cats Eat Greek Yogurt?
Unflavored Greek yogurt is fine to give to your cat, as long as it is in small quantities and not very frequent. The best thing to do is try a few different brands and look for ones that are full of healthy bacteria. Always check the ingredients for anything artificial. Also, never give flavored Greek yogurt to your cat.
Can Cats Eat Flavoured Yogurt?
It’s never a good idea to give your cat flavored yogurt as it contains artificial sweeteners and they high in sugar. Let’s take a look at different flavors and go into more detail.
Can cats eat vanilla yogurt?
Vanilla is not actually toxic for a cat, but vanilla yogurt will contain vanilla flavoring which will more than likely contain ingredients that are bad for your cats health. Vanilla extract in yogurt can contain ethanol which is toxic for cats and can result in hypothermia, drowsiness, and even a heart attack.
Can cats eat strawberry yogurt?
As with vanilla, strawberries are nontoxic for cats but they are high in natural sugar. Feeding your cat too much strawberry can cause an upset tummy. Strawberry yogurt is also going to be very high in sugar and contain additives which is going to be bad for your cats health.
Can cats eat blueberry yogurt?
Blueberries are an excellent healthy food for humans as they are high in fiber, vitamins A, C, E, and K, and low in calories. They also contain essential minerals such as iron, potassium, and manganese. Cats may not even choose to eat blueberries but feeding them small quantities are safe, and can give your cat similar benefits as they do humans.
When it comes to blueberry yogurt, the same dangers apply as they do in other flavored yogurt in that it has a high sugar content and contains additives and preservatives that are bad for your cats health.
Can kittens eat yogurt?
As we previously mentioned, kittens drink their mothers milk because they can produce enzyme lactose for the first 12 weeks of their life. This doesn’t mean that you can give them as much yogurt as you like. It’s actually best to be careful and just simply not give them yogurt at all.
As they are so young they are still developing and are more vulnerable than adult cats. Feeding them yogurt won’t give them any additional nutritional benefits. It’s best to just stick to specialized kitten food.
Alternative Healthy Snacks
As well as plain yogurt, here are some other alternative snacks you can give to your cat if you want to mix up there diet and provide some variation:
Some whole grains like brown rice or barley
• Zucchini
• Celery
• Carrots
• Scrambled eggs
• Green bell peppers
• Spinach (Filled with vitamins A, C, and K!)
• Peas (Often found in many prepackaged foods for cats and dogs as a vitamin-filled addition)
• Pumpkin (Pumpkin is used often as a way to get fiber in your cat’s diet)
• Broccoli
When trying any new foods with your cat, always introduce it to them in small quantities to see how they react. These alternative foods should also never be used a replacement for their regular meals.
If you do this then they will miss out on all of those vital nutrients they need from properly formulated food.
Can Cats Eat Yogurt – Conclusion
Can cats eat yogurt? Remember that a lick or two of yogurt should be fine for a cat with no issues. Just make sure the yogurt is plain and not flavored where it can contain ingredients that are toxic, as well as being high in sugar.
When introducing new foods to your cat, always seek the advice of a veterinarian first, and always test in small quantities. If your cat shows any negative signs such as vomiting or diarrhea, just stop immediately because you will know that yogurt doesn’t agree with them.
If you have any questions regarding any of the things we talked about, just drop them in the comments section below. If you want to learn more about cat nutrition, here are some great articles you will love:
Best Wet Food For Cats: >>Click Here<<
Can Cats Have Coconut Oil: >>Click Here<<
Can Cats Eat Cheese: >>Click Here<<
Can Cats Eat Eggs: >>Click Here<<
References
- Diagnosis and management of food allergy and intolerance in dogs and cats by Wills J1, Harvey R.
- ASPCA toxic plants for cats
- Yogurt Nutrition article by Harward’s school of public health
- Probiotics for your Pets Article by College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University
- Ethanol Poisoning in Cats
