Can Cats Eat Yogurt?

Yogurt is a food lots of humans love for its taste and health benefits. It’s been around for thousands of years and is extremely versatile, whether it’s in a sweet fruit parfait, or a topping on a spicy Indian dish. We’ve all seen pictures of a kitten enjoying a bowl of milk, but what about sharing this more nutrient dense dairy with your feline friend? 

So, can cats eat yogurt? The answer is yes. Although it’s not a common cat treat, non-fat, plain yogurt is usually safe and could even be healthy for your pet. Let's take a look at how yogurt can affect your cat.

Generally speaking, yes! Cats like yogurt. This is because they’re attracted to the protein and fats that they can smell in the dairy product. 

Even though cats are lactose-intolerant once they’ve been weaned at around 4 weeks, they are usually still attracted to most dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and milk. Just like we all have a lactose-intolerant friend who still eats pizza or ice cream, this doesn’t deter a persistent pet. Too much lactose might make them feel a bit lousy, but fortunately since yogurt is fermented, very little lactose remains in the end.

However, some cats can't tolerate yoghurt and it will upset their stomach. If your cat develops an upset stomach when fed yoghurt, it should not be offered.

Just like a lot of people eat yogurt for the health benefits, it has some benefits for your cat as well! Meow-stly because of the protein, vitamins and minerals, and the healthy bacteria it contains for your kitty’s tummy.

Good source of protein

Cats instinctively crave a high protein diet, which gives them energy and helps keep them lean. They need at least two grams of protein per pound of their ideal body weight in the number of calories they consume each day, which is actually a higher amount than what dogs need. Yogurt has about 9 grams of protein per 6 ounce serving, so it can pack a powerful protein punch for your feline pal. Of course, this is nothing compared to meat and fish, which should form the bulk of the diet.

Contains healthy bacteria

The probiotics in yogurt can help your cat with digestion, just like it does with humans. The probiotics can sometimes help relieve symptoms like gas, stomach cramps and diarrhea. Keep in mind that although yogurt can be beneficial, it's not the most efficient way to add probiotics into your cat's diet. Be sure to talk to your vet about a probiotic supplement if this is something your kitty needs. That healthy bacteria may also help whiten your cat’s Cheshire smile, help prevent gum disease, and even help with hairballs.

Provides plenty of healthy nutrients

Yogurt contains a lot of vitamins and minerals, such as a high amount of calcium, which means strong bones, teeth and muscles. It’s also high in vitamins C, B2, B12, D and potassium. The magnesium in yogurt helps your cat to absorb all these nutritients and helps manage their blood pressure.

So, your cat loves yogurt, and you’ve decided to start adding it into their diet as a tasty treat. But be sure to only use plain yogurt for your cat. Avoid any yogurts that are flavored with fruit or have added sugars. You’ll definitely need to make sure the yogurt doesn’t contain any sugar substitutes like xylitol, because this can be toxic to cats. 

How much yogurt is ok to feed your cat without experiencing negative side effects? It’s recommended that you don’t feed your cat more than three to five tablespoons per week. Try mixing a little bit into their food, no more than once a day.

Another way to calculate the right amount is using the 90/10 rule: 90% (or more) of their calories should come from cat food and 10% (or less) from treats. There are about 11 calories in one tablespoon of plain yogurt. Check out this calorie calculator for cats from Pet Nutrition Alliance to figure how many calories your cat should be getting. 

Like any new food, it’s a good idea to check with your vet before feeding it to your fur-baby. If your cat starts having diarrhea or vomiting after you feed them yogurt, they may have an allergy to yogurt. 

Greek yogurt is the crème de la crème of yogurts you can feed your feline bestie. It has less than half the amount of lactose than regular, full fat yogurt. This is purrrrfect because, as stated earlier, kitties past the age of weaning are lactose intolerant. It’s also higher in protein, and typically lower in sugar. Your cat will also probably love the thicker, creamier consistency of Greek yogurt. It contains more calories per serving than regular yogurt, so be sure to adjust the amount you feed your cat accordingly. 

Although kittens should be able to digest plain yogurt just fine, it may not be worth giving it a try. Because your kitten is still growing, you should be very careful what you feed them. Yogurt has almost no nutritional benefit for kittens, and could upset their sensitive little tummies. 

Overall, plain yogurt can be a tasty treat for your feline that has some nutritional value. It may also be worth considering that there are other treats on the market that are specifically designed for cats, have less risk of an allergic reaction, and are even healthier.