Can Dogs Eat Frozen Yogurt? 

Frozen yogurt is such a snack on those hot days.

While you’re enjoying a bowl of flavored frozen yogurt, your pup will most likely want to join you.

But is it okay to share some with them?

Be frugally generous with the portion you offer.

Preferably, get your furry friend a plain frozen yogurt and add their favorite fresh fruits.

So, can dogs eat frozen yogurt?

Yes, dogs can eat frozen yogurt sparingly.

Probiotics in yogurt help with gut health, brain functioning and prevent tooth decay.

It also contains vitamins and minerals for essential body functions.

Although not toxic, high sugars and artificial sweeteners in most flavored frozen yogurts can be a health hazard to your canine friend in high quantities.

The nutritional benefits of frozen yogurts can tempt you to feed your pup every day.

But, this article guides you on the need for moderation.

Nutritional benefits of feeding your dog frozen yogurt

Although frozen yogurt is a processed food, it contains vitamins, minerals, and probiotics essential as a meal additive.

Probiotics

Frozen yogurt has concentrated probiotics that feed the good bacteria in your digs gut improving the overall immune system.

This results in the following health benefits;

  • Weight management
  • Reduced risks of diseases
  • Better digestion
  • Healthy and glowing skin

High-quality dietary proteins

Frozen yogurt contains high-quality protein necessary for your dog’s cell growth and development.

Dietary proteins contain amino acids that strengthen muscles, boost body mass, and improve brain functioning.

Reduces tooth decay

Casein peptides in frozen yogurt remove tartar and plaques on your dog’s teeth, thus, neutralizing the bacteria causing tooth decay.

Since dogs don’t brush their teeth, yogurt is the best way to remove the plaques.

Live cultures

Dogs suffering from ear infections, hot spots, frequent itchiness, and yeast infections can benefit significantly from consuming strawberry yogurt.

The live cultures in yogurt fight yeast, reducing the symptoms and frequency of infections.

frozen yogurt

Why you should avoid feeding your dog frozen yogurt

Processed food poses a significant threat to your dog’s immune system located in the gut.

This leaves your furry friend susceptible to diseases, cell oxidation, environmental stress, and a weakened immune system.

Contents in frozen that make it a danger are;

Dairy 

Puppies produce enough lactase during breastfeeding, but the production decreases as they wean off and transition to solid food.

Therefore, most senior dogs cannot break down the protein in dairy making them lactose intolerant.

Some dogs are allergic to milk products, and frozen yogurt may cause discomfort.

Symptoms of milk allergies manifest as nausea, poor appetite, excess paw licking, and itching followed by skin rashes.

Consult your vet to know of any preexisting allergies and medical conditions.

High sugars

Flavored frozen yogurts contain sugars for palatability hence not good in large quantities.

The added sugars are complex for your dog to digest correctly, thus, risking weight gain, diabetes, and pancreatitis.

Sugars also increase the chances of tooth decay.

Artificial sweeteners

Sugar-free frozen yogurt might seem the best option, but most contain artificial sweeteners (xylitol).

Even in small amounts, xylitol is highly toxic to dogs and can lead to low blood sugar and liver damage.

Symptoms of xylitol toxicity in dogs include;

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Lethargy
  • Collapse
  • Kidney and liver damage

High fats

Low and free-fat frozen yogurt is the best to add to your pet’s daily diet.

High-fat frozen yogurts risk inflaming your dog’s pancreas leading to pancreatitis; better avoided.

Excess fat also impacts your dog’s longevity due to the risk of weight gain and joint degeneration.

Added fruits

Commercial flavored frozen yogurts are filled with syrups and sugars unnecessary for your dog’s digestive system.

Opt for plain frozen yogurt, then add in some fresh berries or favorite fruits for your dogs.

What’s the best type of frozen yogurt to feed your dog?

Plain Greek frozen yogurt is always the best choice for your pet.

Flavored types are better as occasional treats due to the high sugar levels, lethal artificial sweeteners, and high-fat contents not suitable for your dog’s health.

Depending on what you want to add to your dog’s diet, this is what to consider;

Frozen Greek yogurt – It’s made by extracting all the liquid in regular yogurt, making it creamier, thinker, and tangier with concentrated milk.

This makes Greek yogurt nutritionally dense with high proteins, low fats, and sugars, great for your dog’s daily diet.

Frozen regular yogurt has a smooth consistency and is runnier than Greek yogurt.

Health-wise, it has more proteins and fewer calories.

How to feed your dog frozen yogurt

Adding frozen yogurt to your dog’s diet is an excellent nutritional necessity.

However, consider their weight, size, calorie intake, and preexisting health condition.

Be keen on their daily calorie requirements to avoid fat-related diseases like pancreatitis for overweight dogs.

Underlying medical conditions like allergies may affect how you feed your dog frozen yogurt.

Consult your vet before adding it to your pet’s diet and know the exact impact.

Start small and the portions according to how your dogs react to the frozen yogurt.

Avoid feeding them if they show signs of gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach upset.

Instead of frozen yogurt, feed your dog these;

  • Frozen low-sodium chicken broth
  • Watermelon mint sherbet for dogs
  • Frozen plain canned pumpkin
  • Frozen fruits mixed with unsweetened yogurt
  • Frozen treats are made explicitly for dogs-Frosty paws.

Can puppies eat frozen yogurt safely?

It depends.

Puppies have lactase that can tolerate the dairy in frozen yogurt; thus, suitable for them.

On the flip side, puppies are still developing, and their digestive system cannot fully break down other elements in frozen yogurt, increasing their stomach sensitivity.

Wrapping up

Dog food with animal protein is the healthiest to feed your pup; however, plain frozen yogurt serves as the best occasional treat for them.

Feed it in small amounts and increase depending on how your pet reacts.

They are lactose intolerant if you see signs like bloating, stomach pains, or diarrhea.

Similarly, dogs with underlying conditions may experience worse reactions, which are better avoided.

Consult your vet to know the appropriate servings.  

Megan Turner

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