Updated: August 11, 2022 by Kristen Chapple
There is a common misconception that dairy products and milk are good for cats but things are quite different in reality. That being said, can cats eat yogurt? This form is a bit different compared to simple milk; thus, the answer is something else than you might expect.
Nutrition Benefits
Many adult cats are lactose intolerant and that is why milk or cheese aren’t good options to include in their diet. Yogurt on the other hand doesn’t pose the need to digest the lactose and that is due to the bacteria contained in it. There are two main bacteria in yogurt: Lactobacillus Bulgaricus and Streptococcus Thermophilus which remove the need to break down lactose so it is actually a much healthier choice for a cat.
The main nutrients contained in yogurt are potassium which can improve enzyme activity and strengthen the muscles as well as the nerves. Calcium strengthens the bones and muscles of your cat. Magnesium will improve the body’s ability to absorb nutrients like sodium, potassium, vitamin C, calcium or phosphorus. All these three elements can be found in yogurt so it’s not at all a bad idea to have your cat eat some from time to time.
Digestive Problems
Other benefits come in the form of facilitating the intestinal flora through the bacteria from the yogurt and this can improve the immunity of the cat, acting as a probiotic that will at the same time improve the bowel movement.
If your cat has an upset tummy or swallowed too many hairballs that led to inflammations of the throat then yogurt can fix these issues. Also if the cat has diarrhea a small amount of yogurt before the main meal will probably cure your pet if the problem isn’t more serious.
Choices
The flavored yogurt isn’t a good idea for cats and that product also tends to contain large quantities of sugar as well as other unnatural ingredients such as additives that will create more problems than they solve.
The best way to serve yogurt is before a meal as a treat. This means that very small quantities are the norm and make sure you find some natural yogurt without any additives or sugar. Cats cannot feel the sweet taste like us and they also cannot assimilate sugar as well as we do so it will lead to health problems.
Allergies
Most cats seem to tolerate yogurt without any problems but there have been some allergic reactions too. If it is the first time you feed this to your pet then start with very small quantities and see how they react first. In the case of an allergic cat then you can find probiotic supplements that have the same benefits but it is advised to discuss the choices with your vet before administering something.
Short Answer:
Yes, they can eat yogurt in small quantities and it is actually really healthy for them due to the amount of nutritious elements it provides for cats.
