Can Cats Eat Yogurt?
By Pettings · Sources checked Nov 2, 2026
Yogurt is an occasional treat at most, and only plain, unsweetened yogurt in a small spoonful for an adult cat that tolerates dairy. It still contains lactose, and Tufts Petfoodology notes that some dogs and cats do not tolerate lactose well, so yogurt can upset their stomachs. The live cultures in yogurt are also not a proven help for pets.
What Yogurt Offers a Cat
Yogurt is fermented milk. It brings milk protein and fat, plus whatever milk sugar the cultures did not use up. Cats are obligate carnivores, and the Cornell Feline Health Center explains that they rely on nutrients found in animal products. A complete cat food already covers those needs, so yogurt adds taste rather than nutrition the cat is missing.
Many owners give yogurt for its live cultures. Tufts Petfoodology reports no evidence that supplementing pets with human foods such as yogurt has any benefit, adds that yogurt holds limited amounts and types of cultures, and says probiotic results tend to be strain-specific. If your vet thinks a probiotic would help, a product made for cats is a better route than yogurt from the fridge.
How Much Yogurt Can a Cat Have?
WSAVA advises keeping treats under 10% of daily calories, which is about 22 to 25 calories a day for a 10-pound adult cat. Tufts lists 2 tablespoons of plain nonfat Greek yogurt at 15 calories, so 1 to 3 teaspoons comes to about 3 to 8 calories. That fits the allowance and should replace a small part of the day's food, not be added on top.
Start with a single teaspoon and check the litter box over the next day. Soft stool means yogurt is not for your cat. Kittens, seniors, and cats with diabetes, kidney disease, pancreatitis, urinary stones, or food allergies should only have yogurt if their veterinarian says yes.
How to Serve It
Read the label before you open the cup. The only kind to offer is plain, unsweetened yogurt with no added flavors. Fruit yogurts and vanilla yogurts carry added sugar, and some contain fruit pieces you would not give a cat. Light or sugar-free yogurts may be sweetened with xylitol. The ASPCA warns that xylitol can cause low blood sugar and possible liver damage, so any yogurt listing xylitol stays in the fridge. Chocolate and coffee yogurts are out as well.
Serve the yogurt cold or at room temperature on a small saucer or the tip of a spoon, and do not leave a cup where your cat can finish it.
For a cat with a medical condition or a special diet, ask your veterinarian before adding yogurt.
Common Questions
Is yogurt good for cats with diarrhea?
Yogurt is not a remedy for diarrhea in cats and can make it worse. Tufts Petfoodology says there is no evidence that human foods such as yogurt bring probiotic benefits to pets, and it notes that the lactose in yogurt may upset pets that do not digest it well. A cat with diarrhea lasting more than a day, or with vomiting or low energy, should see a veterinarian, who can suggest a probiotic made for cats if one fits.
Can cats eat Greek yogurt?
Yes, cats can have a small amount of plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt as an occasional treat if they handle dairy well. Tufts Petfoodology lists 2 tablespoons of plain nonfat Greek yogurt at 15 calories, so a teaspoon or two fits a 10-pound cat's daily treat allowance. Skip flavored and sweetened versions. Stop offering it if your cat gets soft stool afterward, since yogurt still contains some lactose.
Can cats eat vanilla yogurt?
Vanilla yogurt is not a good choice for cats. It carries added sugar that a cat has no use for, and some light or sugar-free versions are sweetened with xylitol. The ASPCA warns that xylitol can cause low blood sugar and possible liver damage depending on how much is eaten. If your cat licked a little regular vanilla yogurt, watch for stomach upset, and call your vet if the label lists xylitol.
Can kittens eat yogurt?
It is best to skip yogurt for kittens unless your veterinarian suggests it. Kittens have small stomachs and need every bite to come from a complete kitten food so they grow well. Yogurt contains lactose, which the Cornell Feline Health Center notes many cats cannot handle, and diarrhea can dehydrate a young kitten quickly. If you are thinking about yogurt for its cultures, ask your vet about a kitten-appropriate probiotic instead.
Can cats eat yogurt every day?
Daily yogurt is not recommended for most cats. A teaspoon of plain yogurt fits within WSAVA's guideline of keeping treats under 10% of daily calories, but it brings lactose each time and adds no nutrition a complete cat food lacks. As an occasional small treat, it is fine for a cat that tolerates it. If you want daily probiotic support, ask your veterinarian about a product made for cats.
Sources
- Tufts Petfoodology: Probiotics
- Tufts Petfoodology: Treat options for dogs and cats without unbalancing their diet
- ASPCA: People foods avoid feeding your pets
- WSAVA: Feeding treats to your cat
- Cornell Feline Health Center: Feeding your cat
