Yes. Dogs can eat strawberry yogurt in moderation. Strawberries and yogurt have some health benefits that make them a healthy and tasty treat for your canine. However, they should be homemade and not store-bought. Store-bought food can contain preservatives, additives, and ingredients that are not otherwise good for a dog’s health.
Further, if your dog is lactose intolerant, then better avoid feeding them even plain yogurt. So, what does strawberry yogurt consist of? Why is it good or bad for your dogs? Let us scroll down to know the facts.
Table of Contents
What is Strawberry Yogurt?
Strawberry yogurt is a delicious and healthy sweet treat made up of strawberry, sugar, and yogurt. It is made by adding homemade strawberry jam to freshly prepared yogurt and served when chilled.
Is Strawberry Yogurt Safe for Dogs?
Yes. Strawberry yogurt is safe for dogs if fed in moderation. Strawberry yogurt should be homemade without adding any preservatives or ingredients that are unsafe and unhealthy for dogs. While you serve strawberry yogurt, remember not to add sugar to it during any cooking stage, as sugar can lead to diabetes and obesity and kill the essential vitamins and minerals in the recipe. Suppose your pet is lactose allergic, then better to altogether avoid feeding him even plain yogurt. If homemade strawberry yogurt has some drawbacks, imagine how unsafe store-bought strawberry yogurt can be?
Strawberry yogurt, when prepared with dog-safe ingredients and fed in moderation, is a delicious treat for dogs loaded with protein, calcium, and vitamins like C and E. Plain yogurt contains probiotics and live cultures that are good for your dog’s digestive system.
Protein aids in forming new skin cells, hair growth, and the development of organs, enzymes, antibodies, hormones, and other biological functions.
Calcium is an essential dietary component for your dog’s health. It is required for bone and tooth development, nerve impulse transmission, cell communication, muscle contraction, and blood coagulation. Therefore, it’s critical for your dog’s general health that he gets adequate calcium.
Vitamin E: Strawberries contain Vitamin E, one of your dog’s defenses against oxidative damage. Cell function and fat metabolism are also dependent on this fat-soluble vitamin. Deficiencies can cause vision and muscle deterioration, as well as reproductive issues.
Vitamin C: Strawberries containVitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. It can help prevent inflammation and cognitive aging by scavenging damaging free radicals in the body. Although dogs’ livers can generate vitamin C independently, supplementation may provide health advantages in some situations.
Antioxidants: Strawberries are loaded with antioxidants. Chronic inflammation, a hallmark of many complex health conditions in animals, is neutralized by antioxidants. Antioxidant intake may help with any chronic autoimmune illness.
Probiotics are richly present in yogurt. It improves and maintains gut health. It enhances enzymatic activity in the gut and reduces the risk of gastric ulcers and chronic diarrhea attributed to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Probiotics also lower cholesterol levels in older, heavier dogs and assist overweight dogs in losing weight. It also improves heart health. In addition, it supports the detoxification of harmful chemicals and heavy metals. Furthermore, it is also suitable for dogs who are on antibiotics. While your dog takes antibiotics, it kills the healthy gut bacteria that are present in the gut.
Why is Strawberry Yogurt Bad for Dogs?
Even though there are health benefits, strawberry yogurt can be terrible for your dogs when unsafe ingredients, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners are added. Hence, it is best to prepare a homemade dog-safe strawberry yogurt. The components that make strawberry yogurt bad for your dogs are discussed below:
Xylitol, an artificial sweetener in sugar-free snacks, is used in some store-bought strawberry yogurt. However, xylitol can be hazardous for dogs. They may cause hypoglycemia. In addition, xylitol can also cause severe liver damage. Therefore, ensure the brand which you buy doesn’t contain xylitol. Some similar names of xylitol that you can find on the labels include
4-Anhydro-D-xylitol
Xylite
Anhydroxylitol
D-xylitol
Xylitylglucoside.
Lactose Intolerance: Most dogs are known to be lactose intolerant. However, even lactose intolerant dogs that cannot consume milk can handle other dairy products like yogurt and cheese. It is advisable to start slow with small amounts and discontinue use if you notice diarrhea or any other signs of discomfort.
High Sugar Content: Fruits contain high sugar content. However, strawberries are low in calories. The high sugar content can lead to obesity and issues like diabetes when given in large amounts. In addition, tinned or canned strawberry yogurt contains added sugar. If your dog has diabetes, then it is best to avoid it. Sixty grams of strawberries contain 4 grams of sugar.
Other Sugar Substitutes: Apart from Xylitol, other sugar substitutes are unhealthy for humans and dogs. They include Stevia, Aspartame, Saccharin, and Sucralose. For example, a store-bought strawberry yogurt may contain these sweeteners, and if your pet consumes them accidentally, he will surely suffer from diarrhea or an upset stomach.
How Much Strawberry Yogurt to Feed Your Dog?
After knowing the pros and cons of feeding strawberry yogurt, you must be waiting to feed your dog this sweet treat. Before feeding, check for dog-safe ingredients. Remember, you should provide them in moderation. Being a pet parent, you know that snacks or treats should not take more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie count, and the rest would come under dog food. Therefore, depending upon your dog’s age and size, feed him strawberry yogurt accordingly. For example, if your dog is small, a teaspoon will be sufficient once in a while.
One or two tablespoons of strawberry yogurt as a treat is fine to feed your large dog. While if you are a beginner, provide a small amount and feed him gradually. When introducing strawberry yogurt, do not introduce other new food to rule out allergies. If you are feeding him daily, ensure that it has no sugar. You can feed him a teaspoon of Greek or natural yogurt if he is lactose tolerant. It is best to take a prior confirmation from your veterinarian before giving any new food.
How to Serve Strawberry Yogurt to Your Dog?
Although strawberry yogurt has some benefits or acts as a choice from the usual treats, not all strawberry yogurt is dog-friendly. For example, store-bought strawberry yogurt contains some unsafe ingredients, so it is best to always serve a homemade dog-safe strawberry yogurt with no added sugar or preservatives. Apart from that, a non-fat or low-fat yogurt would be a healthy choice for your dog as it may not aid in gaining weight. If you want to provide the goodness of flavored yogurt, add organic fruits to it. If your dog is lactose intolerant, offer him Greek yogurt, which contains less lactose than other yogurts. You can also dice fruits and sprinkle them or blend them with chilled yogurt.
What If My Dog ate Strawberry Yogurt?
If you find your dog eating strawberry yogurt by chance, you first check the quantity of strawberry yogurt they have eaten. It is best if you immediately contact your vet and take steps accordingly. It is always better to store hazardous foods on shelves your canines cannot reach. However, if your dog happens to wipe out a tin of strawberry yogurt accidentally, your dog may suffer the following health issues:
Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is caused by high-fat content in the body leading to an inflammatory pancreas. Dogs with pancreatitis may suffer from decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Dental Issues: If dogs eat sugary treats, they will be unable to brush and remove the sugar stuck between their teeth. This can cause their teeth to decay.
Lactose Intolerance: Yogurt contains lactose, and many dogs are lactose intolerant. The consequences of consuming excessive yogurt are as follows:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Rashes
Allergies
Inflammation
Hotspots
Lethargy
Issues with urination
Pain in joints, muscles, and body
Fatigue
Xylitol is the ingredient added in store-bought strawberry yogurt, which is toxic to dogs. Consumption of xylitol calls for death in dogs within minutes. The consequences of consuming xylitol are:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Convulsions
Hypoglycemia
Seizures
Tremors
Increased heart rate
Loss of appetite
Lack of coordination
Muscle cramps
Coma
Death
The consequences of consuming excessive sugar in strawberry yogurt are:
Diabetes
Obesity
Weight gain
Fatigue
Cardiovascular issues
Hyperactivity
Restlessness
Convulsions
Lack of coordination
Loss of appetite
If your dog experiences xylitol poisoning, contact poison control immediately. The Animal Poison Control Center phone number is (888) 426-4435.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Eat Fruit Flavored Yogurt?
Yes. Dogs can eat fruit-flavored yogurt in moderation if it is homemade without added preservatives.
Can Dogs Eat Flavored Yogurt?
Yes. Dogs can eat flavored yogurt in a limited quantity but not store-bought since they may have added preservatives that are harmful to dogs.
Can Dogs Have Strawberry Greek Yogurt?
Yes. Dogs can have homemade strawberry Greek yogurt in moderation.
Can My Dog Eat Strawberry Activia Yogurt?
It is best to consult with your vet before giving your dog Activia yogurt, although they are considered harmless.
Can Dogs Eat Frozen Yogurt?
Yes. Dogs can eat frozen yogurt but in small quantities. Check for lactose intolerance before serving any dairy products.
Yes. Dogs can eat Greek yogurt as occasional treats.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Yogurt?
No. Dogs should not be fed vanilla yogurt if it contains vanilla extracts.
Can Dogs Eat Soy Yogurt?
Yes. Dogs can eat soy yogurt as long as your dog is not allergic to soy. Soy yogurt in small amounts is good to feed dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Cherry Yogurt?
Store-bought cherry yogurt may contain pits or seeds that are poisonous to dogs. However, a cherry yogurt specially made only with cherry pulp is good for dogs.
Yes, dogs can eat strawberries in moderation owing to the high sugar content.
Can Dogs Eat Banana Yogurt?
Yes. Dogs can eat banana yogurt in small quantities.
Can Dogs Eat Blueberry Yogurt?
Yes. Dogs can eat blueberry yogurt if it is safely homemade with pulp, leaving out pits and seeds.
Can Dogs Eat Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt?
Yes. Dogs can eat Yoplait strawberry yogurt in moderation. However, check the ingredients before feeding him.
Can Lactating Dogs Eat Strawberry Yogurt?
Yes. A tiny quantity, half a teaspoon of homemade strawberry yogurt once in a while, can be offered to lactating dogs.
Can Puppies Eat Strawberry Yogurt?
Yes, a small amount that has no preservatives or added sugar can be fed to puppies.
Can Pregnant Dogs Eat Strawberry Yogurt?
No. Pregnant dogs should not be given strawberry yogurt. It can cause stomach upset in nursing dogs.
Can Diabetic Dogs Eat Strawberry Yogurt?
No. Strawberries contain high sugar, and any sugary treat or food is harmful to diabetic dogs.
Final Thoughts
The very thought of strawberry yogurt energizes our minds and appetite. Imagine while you take a spoonful of strawberry yogurt and your dog gives an innocent yet adorable look at you. Would that not be unfair if you don’t share it with him? Never mind, considering all the benefits, enjoy a healthy treat with your furry friend! Prepare a creamy homemade strawberry yogurt and eat it in two.
