Why
Yogurt is made from milk, and most adult cats have little lactase, the enzyme that digests milk sugar. The ASPCA explains that dairy products can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset in pets for this reason, and the Cornell Feline Health Center notes that many cats are lactose intolerant and can develop stomach and bowel problems from dairy. PetMD's veterinary guide to people foods lists dairy products, such as milk and yogurt, among the foods to keep away from cats.
Plain yogurt often contains somewhat less lactose than milk, which is why a small lick does not bother every cat. It is not lactose free, though, and it offers nothing a cat on a complete cat food needs. Cats are obligate carnivores, and yogurt adds calories and fat without filling any gap in their diet.
Risks to watch for
- Diarrhea, vomiting or gas after eating yogurt
- Sugar-free, light or diet yogurts, which may contain xylitol or other sweeteners
- Flavored and fruit yogurts, which add sugar and other ingredients
- Chocolate or coffee flavors, which contain stimulants that are toxic to cats
- Savory yogurt dips and sauces such as tzatziki or raita, which often contain garlic or onion
- Frozen yogurt, which is sweetened and may contain chocolate or sweeteners
- Full-fat and cream-topped yogurts, which add fat and calories
How to share safely
- If you share at all, use plain, unsweetened yogurt whose ingredient list shows only milk and live cultures.
- Offer no more than a lick from a spoon or your fingertip.
- Watch your cat over the next day. If it has vomiting or diarrhea, do not offer dairy again.
- Do not give yogurt to kittens, or use it as a home remedy for diarrhea or other stomach problems.
- If your cat has diabetes, pancreatitis, bowel disease or a weight problem, or eats a prescription diet, ask your vet before sharing any dairy.
How much?
There is no established safe serving of yogurt for cats. PetMD's veterinary guide groups yogurt with the dairy foods best kept away from cats, so a lick of plain, unsweetened yogurt as a rare extra for a cat that clearly tolerates dairy is a conservative limit. Many cats are better off with none.
Is yogurt a good probiotic for cats?
Yogurt is often suggested as a natural probiotic for pets. Human yogurt is made for people, though, and it comes with the lactose that upsets many cats' stomachs, so it is not a reliable way to support a cat's gut.
If your cat has diarrhea, soft stools or a sensitive stomach, the first step is finding the cause. Call your vet if diarrhea lasts more than a day, or comes with vomiting, lethargy or a poor appetite. Diarrhea can become serious quickly in kittens. If a probiotic would help, your vet can recommend a product made for cats.
What to check on a yogurt label
If you do share a lick, read the ingredient list, not just the front of the tub. Leave it on the shelf if it contains:
- Xylitol or other sweeteners, often in yogurts labeled sugar-free, light or diet. The ASPCA warns that xylitol can cause low blood sugar and liver damage
- Sugar, honey, syrups or fruit preparations
- Chocolate, cocoa or coffee
- Garlic, onion, chives or herbs in savory yogurts and dips
- Added cream, which makes the yogurt richer
Yogurt and cats with health problems
Some cats are more likely to be affected by a dairy treat. Sweetened yogurt is a poor choice for cats with diabetes, and fatty foods are best avoided in cats that have had pancreatitis. Cats with inflammatory bowel disease or food sensitivities may react to foods other cats tolerate.
PetMD's veterinary guide advises checking with your vet before offering any people food to a cat with a health condition or on a prescription diet. That includes a spoonful of yogurt used to hide a pill or to tempt a cat to eat. A cat that has stopped eating needs a vet check, not a new food.
Common questions
Is yogurt good for cats?
Only in limited ways. Yogurt is made from milk, and most adult cats have little lactase, the enzyme that digests milk sugar. The ASPCA explains that dairy products can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset in pets for this reason, and the Cornell Feline Health Center notes that many cats are lactose intolerant and can develop stomach and bowel problems from dairy.
Is yogurt bad for cats?
It can be. Risks to watch for: diarrhea, vomiting or gas after eating yogurt; sugar-free, light or diet yogurts, which may contain xylitol or other sweeteners.
Are cats allowed to have yogurt?
Only in small amounts and the right form. If you share at all, use plain, unsweetened yogurt whose ingredient list shows only milk and live cultures.
Can cats eat Greek yogurt?
The same rules apply. Plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt is not toxic, but it is still dairy and can cause diarrhea in cats that do not digest lactose well. Full-fat Greek yogurt is also rich, so a lick is plenty.
Can yogurt help a cat with diarrhea?
No. Yogurt can make diarrhea worse in cats that are lactose intolerant. Call your vet if diarrhea lasts more than a day or your cat also vomits, seems lethargic or stops eating.
Sources
- PetMD. What Human Food Can Cats Eat? (Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
If your cat has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital or an animal poison control service right away, even if your cat seems fine. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home.