Can Cats Eat Yogurt? Only a Lick of Plain Yogurt

Why dairy and cats do not mix well

Kittens make lactase to digest their mother's milk, but VCA explains that by around 12 weeks of age they lose much of the ability to digest milk sugar. Most adult cats therefore cannot break lactose down well, and undigested lactose in the gut draws in water and ferments, which causes the gas, cramping and diarrhea people associate with dairy.

Yogurt contains less lactose than milk because some is used up during fermentation, which is why a small lick does not upset every cat. It is still a dairy product, and the ASPCA lists milk and dairy among foods that commonly cause digestive upset in pets.

The yogurts to keep away from your cat

Avoid flavored and sweetened yogurt. Fruit-on-the-bottom, vanilla and dessert yogurts carry sugar a cat does not need, and some fruit yogurts include grapes or raisins. Light and sugar-free yogurts may be sweetened with xylitol or other sweeteners, which should never be shared with pets.

Greek yogurt is thicker and higher in fat and protein, and full-fat versions are rich for a small cat. Frozen yogurt and yogurt-coated snacks are effectively desserts. If your cat ate a large amount of a yogurt containing xylitol, chocolate or raisins, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply.

If you do share yogurt

Choose plain, unsweetened yogurt with live cultures and nothing else on the ingredient list, ideally low-fat. Offer a lick from your fingertip or a quarter of a teaspoon on a saucer, at room temperature.

Do not use yogurt to tempt a cat that has stopped eating, and do not use it to treat a digestive problem. A cat that refuses food needs to be seen by a vet, and ongoing diarrhea has many causes that yogurt will not fix.

How much yogurt a cat can have

For an average 8 to 10 lb adult cat, a quarter to half a teaspoon of plain yogurt, no more than once or twice a week, is the most to consider. Cornell suggests treats stay under 10 to 15 percent of a cat's daily calories, and smaller cats should have less.

Try it once and watch the litter box over the next 12 to 24 hours. If you see loose stool or gas, your cat is one of the many that do not tolerate dairy, and yogurt should come off the list.

If you share a safe morsel, offering it from a shallow cat bowl or hiding it in a puzzle feeder keeps the amount small.

Can kittens eat yogurt?

It is not recommended. VCA advises against giving cats of any age cow's milk, and kittens have sensitive digestion that is easily upset by dairy. Diarrhea in a young kitten can lead to dehydration quickly.

Very young or orphaned kittens that need milk should get a kitten-specific milk replacer, which VCA recommends, and weaned kittens should be on a complete kitten food. Ask your vet if you are unsure what a kitten needs.

Signs yogurt disagreed with your cat, and when to call the vet

Signs of dairy intolerance usually appear within about 8 to 12 hours: loose stool or diarrhea, gas, a rumbling belly, discomfort, and sometimes vomiting. These usually settle within a day once the yogurt stops.

Call your vet the same day if diarrhea or vomiting continues past 24 hours, if there is blood in the stool, or if your cat seems lethargic, hides or stops eating. Kittens, older cats and cats with health conditions should be checked sooner, because they become dehydrated faster.

Treats that suit cats better than yogurt

A few shreds of plain cooked chicken or turkey, with no skin or seasoning, or a teaspoon of fully cooked plain egg, are treats that match what cats are built to eat. Commercial cat treats make portion control simple.

If your cat loves the creamy texture, a lickable cat treat made for the purpose is a better choice than human yogurt. Make sure fresh water is always available.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.