yogurt for dogs?

[twood71]

I read an article about feeding a table spoon or 2 of Greek non fat plain yogurt to your dog.

Some of what I read:
Yogurt is a source of calcium and protein for promoting bone and muscle health. Yogurt also contains potassium, a mineral that acts as an electrolyte to preserve an ideal balance of fluid in your dog’s body.

Potassium is also responsible for regulating enzyme function and maintaining healthy nerves and muscles. Potassium plays a key role in your dog’s heart function.

The magnesium in yogurt is an essential mineral for aiding the body’s absorption of important vitamins and nutrients, including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium and vitamins C and E.

Anyone feeding yogurt to their dogs? I'm also particularly interested if any raw feeders are doing this?

 

[NYDDB]

Bones, Meat, Organs. That's it.

Yogurt is a processed food that is un-necessary in a raw-fed dog's diet-- all of their calcium (and other nutrients) can be found in a diverse, and balanced raw food diet.

So, keep it simple, in my opinion.

 

[Brinsdad]

We do give it some times more as a heathy treat than anything else also the odd banana and clementine
Both are fed 80/10/10 raw diet


No love like a bully love

 

[Edward B.]

I give to my dog (Cane Corso) Purina Pro - Plan (mix fish and meat) and one day per week I give him Greek plain yoghurt, and Cottage cheese, not mixed with something else. Didn't have any issues (yet) and seems to be ok.

 

[Boxergirl]

I've always given my dogs a spoon of yogurt on their food now and again. My current group is not raw fed, but I did add it occasionally when I fed raw years ago. That being said, I make my own yogurt so I know that all it contains no artificial colors or flavors. I also freeze it in ice cube trays for a summer treat. Acidophilus is our friend. While I think it's fine to give in small amounts you should introduce slowly to see how your dog tolerates it.

 

[ruby55]

Cobi (the puppy) gets a tablespoon of yogurt on his breakfast. The breeder was doing this so we're continuing for awhile.

 

[scorning]

I give a spoonful of plain greek yogurt occasionally to my dogs, they really like it and it hasn't caused any issues.

 

[season]

If your feeding your dog a good quality kibble or a balanced raw diet there is not need to add extra stuff.

 

[Boxergirl]

If your feeding your dog a good quality kibble or a balanced raw diet there is not need to add extra stuff.

I agree for the most part, but adding in something like yogurt with active cultures encourages good flora in the gut. Yogurt can also help with yeast infections, good when your dog is on antibiotics, and it can help with gas. If adding toppers to food is an issue, which it can be for many dogs, frozen yogurt makes a good treat.

 

[NYDDB]

True about the probiotics; beneficial gut flora is very important. However, if you are feeding raw, green tripe is loaded with natural probiotics...

The occasional scoop of plain, natural yogurt will probably not hurt the average dog, but dairy- even cultured dairy (yogurt, kefir) contains some milk sugar and lactose might be an issue for dogs.

 

[Max's mom]

Just a warning....a few ounces of yogurt makes a gallon of vomit if it doesn't agree with you guy!

 

[Boxergirl]

Of course everyone should be cautious when introducing any new food to their dog.

 

[DennasMom]

I don't give Denna any dairy on a regular basis, she gets her probiotic/gut flora boost from raw green tripe... but she does enjoy licking the container clean when it's available (sour cream, plain yogurt, cottage cheese... any and all of the above!)

I agree with testing your pup carefully with dairy before going all out, though... just in case you get a "rejection" event."

I haven't heard anything about the magnesium issue... hopefully the article was not thinking that a nutrient helpful for humans was therefore good for dogs. They have different needs in different levels than we do.

On an side note: Red meat has nearly the same amount of magnesium and more potassium than yogurt (on a weight basis mg/g), and Denna eats a LOT of red meat.

 

[fixitlouie]

Only after a antibiotics to help promote gut health