Yogurt and cats sometimes get along very well. Many rush to finish the little we leave in the container or are keenly interested if we bring it to them. But can cats eat yogurt? In general, cats shouldn't have dairy due to lactose, a component that they usually cannot digest after weaning as it lacks the enzyme lactase, which is responsible for breaking it down.
For this reason, dairy products not intended exclusively for adult cats often make them feel sick. But yogurt, especially if it is natural and without artificial additives, can be a good option in small amounts, thanks to its nutritional properties and its naturally present beneficial bacteria, that facilitate the digestion of lactose and, therefore, do not produce difficult digestion. We explain it to you in this article on our site.
Cat's eating behavior
Our domestic felines are undoubtedly carnivores, which is based on the following characteristics:
- They present a dentition typical of a strict carnivore, with fewer premolars and molars, so it is designed for tearing prey and for the minimum chewing of hard foods, such as some vegetables that herbivores and omnivores do eat.
- They have a smaller stomach and a shorter gastrointestinal tract, but with a larger absorption surface of their mucosa. Their large intestine lacks microvilli. For this reason, the cat's food should be more frequent than the dog's and more digestible, that is, without a lot of fiber from vegetables or grains.
- They require a series of essential amino acids and fatty acids that they can only obtain through animal tissue protein (meat), such as They are arginine, essential for the formation of urea from ammonia and for its elimination, taurine, essential for numerous functions of the organism, highlighting the conjugation of bile acids, muscular, ocular, cardiac, reproductive and the maintenance of cell membranes, or arachidonic acid, whose deficiency causes alterations in blood coagulation, skin, hair and the reproductive system.
In other words, cats get all the nutrients and subsist solely on animal tissue. Even in the wild, they get almost all of their daily water from the humidity of their prey, which is why our house cats have this predisposition to drink less than they need, even if they only feed on dry food. That is why many have a certain percentage of dehydration that can predispose to the development of urinary problems.
Can I give my cat yogurt?
As you know, yogurt is a product derived from milk. Although it comes from animals, usually from cows' milk, it is not animal tissue, it is not meat, and therefore will not provide your cat with the essential nutrients it gets from meat.
In addition, although less than milk, yogurt and cheese also contain lactose, a type of sugar that many cats cannot digest And it makes sense, because kittens only drink milk until, normally, the first 2-3 months of life, at which time their organisms synthesize lactase, which is the enzyme that breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose, which are easy digestion.
However, once weaning is complete almost all cats stop producing lactase and, therefore, present uncomfortable and difficult digestion of dairy products, especially milk, which causes flatulence, abdominal discomfort, bloating and even vomiting and diarrhea.
This happens because adult cats do not need milk or dairy products for proper nutrition. However, sometimes, you can give them a little of yogurt, as long as it is as explained in the next section.
A good yoghurt for cats
If we choose to give our cats some yogurt, it must be natural, without artificial flavors or aromas and, therefore, Of course, sugar-free, sweeteners and high fat. Natural yogurts are the least harmful for them and have beneficial bacteria for their digestive tract. These help transform lactose into lactic acid, contributing to digestion. These bacteria are also called probiotics and can be:
- Lactobacillus bulgaricus.
- Streptococcus thermophilus.
- Lactobacillus acidophilus.
- Bifidus.
Benefits of yogurt for cats
By choosing a good natural yogurt our cat will benefit, with a small amount, from these nutritional properties:
- Source of calcium, essential for bone metabolism.
- Facilitates transit and digestion, favoring the elimination of hair that can accumulate in the digestive system, forming balls that they can cause a blockage and serious damage to your he alth.
- Provides nutrients such as magnesium, vitamins B, A and D, as well as phosphorus and iron.
- Relieves digestive disorders that cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats.
How can I give my cat yogurt?
The best way to give your cat some yogurt is to offer it directly with a spoon, as a reward or snack. You can also put in a deep container or, although less recommended, in the plastic container that the yogurt comes in.
In any case, avoid hurting yourself with the edges or getting yogurt in your eyes. Finally, we must remember that yogurt should never be given as a main food and not even several times a week. It is acceptable to offer it 1-2 times a week, at most, if our cat tolerates it well and likes it.
