It’s well known that our four-legged canine friends love to sample our snacks, kindly offering to lick our tub of Clandeboye Natural Yoghurt clean when we are finished - but do we know if it’s safe for our dogs to enjoy?

In short, yes - it is perfectly fine to feed your dog some natural yoghurt, as an occasional treat. However, it's essential to remember that individual dogs may react differently to certain foods. To ensure the well-being of your furry companion, it's always a good idea to check with your vet before introducing new treats into their diet. They can provide personalised advice based on your dog's specific health needs and dietary considerations.

We love receiving photos from our customers, especially when they feature your lovely dogs - which is why we have done a bit of digging to put all of our minds at ease the next time we share the yoghurt.

Probiotic Benefits for Your Dog

Not only is natural yoghurt a tasty treat for your dog to enjoy, but it also has great probiotic benefits that you might not find in some brands of dog food.

Natural yoghurt is a great source of both calcium and protein which is beneficial for maintaining good health for humans and dogs alike.

A diet which is high in calcium means that your dog will have much stronger, healthier teeth, bones, nails, and coat - and interestingly, it will also improve and regulate their nervous system.

Protein is also a building block for your dog’s muscles, organs, bones, and connective tissue, as well as repairing any injuries or wounds they may have. As an added bonus, protein also encourages your dog's metabolism, which can help your dog keep off any extra weight.

In summary, the probiotics that are found in natural yoghurt feed the good bacteria in your dog’s digestive tract, and encourage a healthier gut - which means a happier dog!

Sugar, Artificial Sweeteners and Preservatives

Just like humans, dogs benefit from a diet that is low in added sugar, artificial sweeteners and preservatives.

This means it is very important that you read each label carefully before feeding yoghurt to your dog to ensure there is no added sugar, artificial sweeteners, or preservatives

We would recommend that you completely avoid flavoured yoghurts, especially those that contain Xylitol as this is a toxic artificial sweetener for dogs.

It’s a good idea to choose a plain natural yoghurt that is sugar free and contains no artificial additives – Clandeboye Estate Natural Yoghurt or Greek Style yoghurt both have a delicious natural sweetness and no added nasties, making them great choices for your dog to enjoy.

How Much Yoghurt is too Much?

Although the occasional yoghurt treat is recommended, there is a limit to how much your dog should be allowed each day.

According to Jan Dempsey, senior nutritionist at Purina, you should aim for the 10% treat rule. This means that natural yoghurt should make up a maximum of 10% of your dog's calorie intake each day along with their other treats.

It’s also worth noting that dogs' digestive systems are not designed to digest lactose as easily as humans. Make sure to keep an eye for signs of lactose intolerance after the occasional yoghurt treat.

Signs of lactose intolerance in your dog include a change in stools, vomiting, lack of appetite, bloating, and flatulence.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, or if you have any other queries about what to include in your dog’s diet, be sure to consult your vet for advice and guidance.

How to Serve Your Dog Natural Yoghurt

Of course every dog is different and sometimes they like their treats delivered in specific ways - so we have added some ideas below on how to serve the occasional yoghurt treat:

- A generous spoonful of yoghurt on top of their daily food to add a sweet taste

- Giving them the remainder of your own yoghurt and let them lick it from the tub

- Add a generous dollop of yoghurt onto a lick matt so your dog can enjoy at their leisure

- On a warm day, you can freeze some natural yoghurt using an ice-cube tray and give this to your dog as a cool treat

If you enjoyed reading this blog (or just want to say hi) - we’d absolutely love to hear from you! Contact us on Facebook @Clandeboyeyoghurt or Instagram @clandeboye_yoghurt and send us photos of you/you and your dog enjoying our delicious yoghurt!

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