For humans, yogurt can be a very healthy snack.
It’s an excellent source of calcium and protein, and it has probiotics that help aid your digestion.
But some foods that are healthy for people can be harmful to your cat.
Feeding your cat the proper food is essential for their health and safety, so you should remember what snacks in your kitchen are safe for your kitty.
So, can cats eat yogurt?
And if they can, how much should they eat?
The answer may be a little more complicated than you think—here’s what you need to know.
Can Cats Eat Yogurt?
The short answer to this question is yes!
Yogurt is not inherently dangerous for cats to consume.
In addition, many cats enjoy the taste of it.
However, you should only give yogurt to cats in small amounts.
The type of yogurt you’re feeding them makes a difference, too.
Never give your cat yogurt with chocolate, grapes, xylitol, or any other ingredients that are toxic to cats.
You should avoid yogurts with high amounts of sugar, too.
Is Yogurt Good for Cats?
Not only is yogurt a fun treat for your cats, but it can come with some health benefits.
Just make sure to give your cat yogurt in moderation.
As long as it remains a small part of a balanced diet, yogurt can be a healthy snack for your pet.
Potential Benefits
Here are a few reasons to consider feeding yogurt to your cat!
- Yogurt is high in protein. This is especially true of Greek yogurt! Cats need a lot of protein in their diets to thrive, so this makes yogurt an excellent treat for felines.
- Yogurt has other important nutrients. For example, yogurt is rich in calcium, which can help your cat have strong and healthy bones. It’s also a great source of Vitamin B2, Vitamin B12, and potassium.
- Yogurt has gut-friendly bacteria. This bacteria, which many know as “probiotics,” can help aid your cat’s digestion.
Is Yogurt Good for Cats With Diarrhea?
Because of its gut-friendly probiotics, yogurt can be helpful for cats struggling with diarrhea.
However, avoid giving your cat yogurt in large amounts since the lactose could potentially worsen their digestive issues.
Why Do Cats Like Yogurt?
If you’ve ever eaten yogurt near your cat, they may have tried to stick their face in your bowl.
The reason for this is the high fat and protein content of yogurt.
As carnivores, cats are naturally drawn to foods with fats and proteins.
They can smell these nutrients in many foods we eat, including yogurt.
Not all yogurt is safe for cats, though, and large amounts can make them pretty sick.
So never leave your yogurt unattended when cats are near since there’s a good chance they’ll steal it!
Is Yogurt Bad for Cats?
Overall, yogurt is not a bad treat for cats.
But feeding yogurt to your cats can come with a few unwanted outcomes.
For instance, certain types of yogurt can be harmful to your cat.
Most yogurt contains sugar, which can cause stomach aches and diabetes in cats.
In addition, feeding your cat yogurt and other “people food” can lead to bad habits.
They may lose interest in eating their food, putting them at risk for malnourishment.
Sharing food with your cat can also result in unwanted behavior like jumping onto counters or tables while people are eating yogurt.
So while giving yogurt to your cat is generally safe, you should also keep these downsides in mind.
Can Cats Be Allergic to Yogurt?
Just like humans, cats can have food allergies.
It is not very common, but some cats can have reactions after eating yogurt.
Signs of an allergic reaction to yogurt include:
- Excessive itching
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bloating and pain in the stomach
- Excessive grooming
Why Cats Shouldn’t Overeat Yogurt
Never overfeed yogurt to your cat.
While this food has benefits, it can lead to many health problems if cats eat too much.
Here are a couple of key reasons to limit your cat’s consumption of yogurt:
- Adult cats are lactose intolerant. Once a cat begins to wean off its mother’s milk, its body loses the ability to properly digest lactose, a key component of dairy products.
- Too much yogurt can cause digestion issues. Many cats, especially adult cats, can experience digestive issues such as diarrhea, nausea, bloating, and gas after consuming dairy products like yogurt.
- Some cats are allergic to yogurt. Eating too much yogurt can make allergic reactions even more severe, so proceed with caution.
What is the Best Yogurt for Cats?
If you plan on giving yogurt to your cat, the best option for them is unflavored and unsweetened Greek yogurt.
Greek yogurt is higher in protein than other types of yogurt, making it the ideal choice for your cat.
Opting for unflavored and sugar-free will also prevent your cat from consuming too much sugar.
Be sure to read the ingredients before giving yogurt to your cat.
Some unsweetened yogurts may contain xylitol, which is toxic to cats and dogs.
How Much Yogurt Should You Give Your Cat?
Yogurt should only be an occasional treat for your cat.
A good rule of thumb is to give your cat no more than one tablespoon in a single day.
You shouldn’t feed it to them every day, either—give your cat yogurt a couple of times per week at most.
How To Feed Yogurt to Your Cat
So, do you want to give your cat the health benefits of yogurt?
Here’s what you can do.
- Find the right yogurt. There are many brands out there that offer unsweetened and unflavored yogurts. You should also try to find yogurts with high amounts of protein to ensure this snack is extra nutritious!
- Start with just one teaspoon. When introducing your cat to a new treat, it’s best to start small. Offer them a single teaspoon of yogurt; if they enjoy it, you can slowly incorporate more of it into their diet.
- Follow the 10% rule. This means no more than 10% of your cat’s diet should come from treats. The other 90% should come from food specifically designed for a feline diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to a few common questions people have about cats, yogurt, and food safety.
Will Yogurt Help My Cat Poop?
If your cat struggles with constipation, a small amount of yogurt may be just what they need. The probiotics in yogurt can help your cat have a healthy bowel movement.
Yogurt can also help relieve any pain they’re experiencing due to their constipation.
Can Cats Have Eggs?
Like yogurt, eggs can be a great source of protein for your cat. They can provide amino acids and Vitamin D.
Ensure you thoroughly cook your eggs before feeding them to your cat because they can get salmonella just like us.
Also, you should not make eggs a regular treat since they are very high in cholesterol.
Wrapping Up
Yogurt can have many benefits for cats.
It can be an excellent source of protein and help with digestive issues.
The high fat and protein content is also super appealing to feline taste buds.
However, there are only a handful of yogurts that are good for your cat to eat, so be careful when feeding this treat to your pet.
So, to put it simply, can cats eat yogurt?
The answer to that is a straightforward yes—just proceed with caution.
Do you still have questions?
Feel free to let us know in the comments!
