Can Cats Eat Yogurt?

Yogurt isn’t poisonous to cats, but vets don’t recommend it. Many cats are lactose intolerant, so dairy can give them an upset stomach or diarrhea. Cats also don’t need it. A lick of plain yogurt is unlikely to hurt a healthy adult cat, but it isn’t a good treat.

Why isn’t yogurt a good treat for cats?

Milk and dairy contain a sugar called lactose. The ASPCA says pets don’t have enough of the enzyme that breaks it down, so dairy can cause diarrhea or other stomach upset. The Cornell Feline Health Center says many cats are lactose intolerant and can get stomach and gut problems from dairy. The Merck Veterinary Manual also says milk can upset a cat’s stomach.

None of these pages talk about yogurt by name. They talk about dairy in general. So we can’t promise that yogurt is easier on a cat’s stomach than milk. Some people say it is, but we didn’t find a veterinary source that says so.

Cats also get what they need from a complete and balanced cat food. The Merck Veterinary Manual’s advice to cat owners is to skip table scraps.

Signs your cat didn’t agree with it

If your cat ate yogurt, watch for the usual signs of dairy upset:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• A gassy or upset stomach

Mild signs from a small taste are not a poisoning. Call your vet if your cat keeps vomiting, the diarrhea doesn’t stop, or your cat stops eating or seems very tired. Call sooner for kittens and cats with health problems.

Other kinds of yogurt

Can cats eat Greek yogurt?

Greek yogurt is still dairy, so the same advice applies: it isn’t recommended. The pages we read don’t say whether Greek yogurt is easier on cats than regular yogurt. If you give a taste at all, keep it plain and tiny.

Can cats eat strawberry yogurt?

Strawberry yogurt is not a good choice. It has all the dairy problems above, plus added sugar and flavoring that your cat doesn’t need. Read the label for other ingredients too, such as sweeteners. The ASPCA says xylitol, a sweetener that is dangerous to dogs, doesn’t cause serious problems in cats or ferrets. Still, if you have a dog, keep any sugar-free yogurt away from your dog, and call your vet right away if your dog eats some.

Can cats eat flavored or sugar-free yogurt?

Plain is the better pick. Flavored yogurts add things your cat doesn’t need. Check the label for any ingredient you don’t know, and ask your vet if you’re unsure.

If you still want to share a taste

A healthy adult cat who begs for yogurt will most likely be fine with a small lick. If you share:

• Keep it tiny. A lick from a spoon, not a bowl.
• Keep it plain. No sugar, fruit, flavoring, or sweetener.
• Try it once and watch. If your cat gets diarrhea or vomits, yogurt isn’t for them.
• Skip it if your cat has a sensitive stomach or a health problem, unless your vet says it’s fine.

Better treats for your cat

• Treats made for cats
• A few pieces of your cat’s regular food, given as a reward

Cornell says treats should stay under about 10 to 15% of a cat’s daily calories, and should only be given once in a while. For more on dairy, see our guide on whether cats can eat cheese. To see what’s truly dangerous, read our list of foods that are toxic to cats.