If you are a dog owner then you surely want your dog to live a healthy, happy, active, and long life.
A healthy gut (digestive system) is very important for your dog’s health & guess what? Probiotics can play a key role in promoting the proper functioning of the digestive system of your dog.
A lot of foods and beverages contain probiotics and Yakult is one of them. Many people ask us that is Yakult suitable for dogs or not?
This article is a complete guide where you can find all the information about dogs drinking Yakult.
Table of Contents
Can I give my dog Yakult?
If you are wondering whether you can give Yakult to your dog, then the quick answer for you is yes!
You can give Yakult to your dog if your dog is not lactose intolerant and it can withstand the ingredients used in Yakult.
Yakult can be very beneficial for the health of your dog. It contains healthy bacteria that will kill and stop the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut of your dog. This way it will improve the health of your dog in so many ways.
You can give Yakult to your dog once or twice a week and it will keep your dog healthy, active, and happy.
However, the only requirement is that your dog must not be lactose intolerant and it can withstand the ingredients of Yakult. That’s why you need to keep reading and see the ingredients present in Yakult.
What is Yakult made from?
Yakult is a very famous and delicious probiotic milk beverage that originates from Japan. It contains healthy bacteria that are very beneficial for improving the working of the digestive system.
Generally, there are at least six main ingredients that are used for making Yakult so let’s take a look at them:
- Water
- Natural flavors
- Sugar
- Glucose syrup
- Nonfat milk
- Live lactobacillus bacteria
So, how do you know whether your dog can withstand these ingredients or not? Well, the best way is to give a small amount of Yakult to your dog and observe how it reacts. If everything goes fine then it means your dog is okay with all the ingredients. But if there’s an adverse reaction, then it means something is wrong.
We also recommend you consult with your vet for better clearance and understanding.
Yakult benefits for dogs
So far you have learned that it is okay to give Yakult to the dogs. But why should you do so? What are the benefits of giving Yakult to a dog?
Well, here’s a list of Yakult benefits for your dog:
1. Strong Immune System
Yakult contains beneficial bacteria. They will kill the harmful bacteria present in the gut of your dog and stop its growth.
This way the immune system of your dog will strengthen up and your dog will stay from many different diseases.
2. Reduces stress and anxiety
Yakult promotes the smooth functioning of the digestive system of your dog. A healthy digestive system means your dog will be more active and happier.
The dog will have less stress and anxiety.
It will also affect the emotions and mood of your dog. You will find it happier and more relaxed all the time.
3. Stronger bones
Yakult is a probiotic beverage.
Studies have shown that probiotics are very beneficial for the overall health of your dog. It will strengthen the bones of your dog and keep it stronger.
4. Better hair growth
The probiotics present in Yakult will improve the hair growth of your dog. They will grow much faster than before.
5. Healthy digestive system
Yakult provides healthy bacteria to your dog. Those healthy bacteria will kill the harmful bacteria present in the digestive tract of your dog.
This way Yakult ensures smooth working of the digestive system of your dog.
6. More energy
It is a natural phenomenon that whenever your digestive system is upset, you also become lazy and inactive.
The same is the case with your dog.
When the digestive system of your dog will not work fine then it will have less energy and feel lazy, sad, and inactive.
The probiotics present in Yakult play a key role in improving the performance of the digestive system of your dog.
Yakult side effectsfor dogs
You know that nothing in this world is perfect. Everything has its pros and cons.
Similarly, Yakult also has some side effects for your dog. So, what are the drawbacks of drinking Yakult for a dog?
The experts say that some dogs show negative symptoms like nausea, bloating, constipation, gas, diarrhea, digestive discomfort, and change of appetite after drinking Yakult.
In some cases, the digestive problem may get worse temporarily before its starts improving.
Moreover, if your dog is lactose intolerant then it won’t be able to break down the natural sugars that are present in Yakult because they lack the lactase enzyme. It will also lead to several adverse reactions.
You also need to keep in mind that Yakult also contains glucose syrup and sugar. So, drinking too much of it can also lead to obesity, diabetes, pancreatitis, and dental problems.
These were some of the major side effects of Yakult on dogs.
Are probiotics good for dogs?
Yes, probiotics are very good and beneficial for dogs.
Probiotics are the good bacteria that live inside the digestive tract.
There are billions of other bacteria and yeast living in the gut of your dog. Good bacteria (probiotics) help keep the internal environment balanced. They kill the bad bacteria and stop their growth.
The probiotics will benefit your dog in so many ways such as:
- Strengthen the immune system of your dog.
- Kill the harmful bacteria present in the gut of your dog.
- Help break down the food in the digestive tract of your dog.
- Provide vitamins and nutrients.
- Help reduce stress and anxiety.
- Improve food allergies and diarrhea.
- Improve the mood and emotions.
Probiotics are required for the dogs to maintain an internal balance of microbes (balance between good & bad bacteria). Most dogs can maintain this balance naturally.
But sometimes, an imbalance may occur due to illness, stress, and malnutrition.
Are human probiotics safe for dogs?
Yes, human probiotics like Yakult are safe for your dog if it is not lactose intolerant.
However, their benefits might not be the same as dog-specific probiotics.
Are probiotics good for dogs with diarrhea?
Yes, probiotics are very good for dogs who are suffering from diarrhea.
If your dog is suffering from diarrhea due to the following reasons, then probiotics can play an important role in promoting the health of your dog:
- The imbalance of bacteria is caused by the prolonged use of antibiotics.
- After eating an unusual or new food (changing the diet plan of dog).
- Stress caused by disturbing the routine of the dog (like traveling, moving, and boarding, etc.)
- Overgrowth of bacteria due to an infection.
In all such cases, probiotics can prove very effective for restoring the normal health of your dog.
Can dog drink Yakult?
Yes, dogs can drink Yakult.
Yakult is considered completely safe for dogs. You can give Yakult to your dog in moderation like once or twice a week only. It will keep your dog healthy, happy, active, and also increase its life.
However, if your dog is lactose intolerant OR it cannot withstand the nutrients present in Yakult then we recommend you avoid feeding it to your dog.
The reason is that your dog won’t be able to tolerate it and show adverse health reactions.
If you are feeding Yakult to your dog for the first time, then you should try giving a small about of Yakult only and observe the reaction. It will help you get an idea if your dog is okay with drinking Yakult or not.
Is Yakult good for dogs vomiting?
No, we do not recommend giving Yakult to your dog if it is vomiting.
The reason is that vomiting not only happens due to a bad stomach. There are many other reasons behind vomiting as well.
If your dog is vomiting, we recommend you give it freshwater. If they still keep vomiting, then you should contact your vet as soon as possible. The vet will diagnose the main reason behind vomiting and treat your dog accordingly.
If you will give Yakult to a vomiting dog, then there are strong chances that it will vomit out the Yakult in a few minutes as well.
That’s why it is necessary to contact the vet as soon as possible and diagnose the main medical reason behind vomiting.
Is Yakult good for dogs with parvo?
No, it is not advisable to administer probiotic drinks to dogs at the early stage of parvo. However, when they reach the more acute stage, perhaps after 2-3 weeks, they can be given the drink.
Parvo is a disease that affects the gastrointestinal system of your dog and disturbs the balance of good and bad bacteria present in the gastrointestinal system.
Is Yakult good for dogs battling with parvo?
Well, generally it is said that probiotics are very beneficial for dogs who have parvo. But Yakult is a human probiotic and it may have a different effect on dogs suffering from parvo.
That’s why we recommend you should consult your vet for a proper diagnosis of the problem. The vet will examine the current health condition of your dog and they will tell you whether you can give Yakult to your dog or not.
Is Yakult good for deworming dogs?
There is no doubt that probiotics are very good for dogs who are suffering from gut problems especially deworming dogs.
However, Yakult may not be a good option for deworming dogs. The reason is that Yakult is a human probiotic and it contains sugar, glucose syrup, and many other ingredients that your dog can be allergic to.
Especially if your deworming dog is lactose intolerant then feeding it Yakult can further complicate the problem.
This is why we recommend you consult your vet before taking any such decision.
Is Yakult good for pregnant dogs?
Yes, you can give Yakult to pregnant dogs to drink. Young pups are born with infertile guts, and within 3 days from birth, the guts will be overwhelmed with bacteria gotten from mom. When you give mom Yakult or antibiotic drinks during pregnancy, she is more likely to transfer good bacteria to her pups.
During pregnancy, give your Yakult to your pregnant dog 2 weeks before whelping and 2 weeks after to prevent diarrhea. Yakult also helps to reduce bloating, heartburn, and acidity in pregnant dogs.
Yakult contains probiotics that can improve the working of the gastrointestinal system of your pregnant dog.
It will relieve acidity, heartburn, and bloating. Plus, it will reduce the stress and anxiety of your dog and keep it happy, healthy, and active. But if your pregnant dog is lactose intolerant then you should never give Yakult to it.
We recommend you give a small amount of Yakult to your dog as a test case. If it does not show any adverse health reaction after drinking Yakult then it means that your dog will be fine.
However, if it shows a bad reaction to Yakult then you should not feed it to your dog.
Is Yakult good for sick dogs?
If your dog is sick then giving it Yakult might not solve the problem.
The reason is that you don’t know why your dog is sick.
You should contact your vet first to identify the main reason why the dog is sick. Then your vet will advise you whether you should offer Yakult to your dog or not.
Is Yakult good for nursing dogs?
A nursing dog is going through a very sensitive period of health. You should consult your vet before giving it anything new like Yakult.
The reason is that some dogs are lactose intolerant and cannot withstand the ingredients of Yakult. They will show allergic reactions if given Yakult.
A nursing dog is already going through a sensitive period so giving it more health problems can be very dangerous.
How much Yakult can I give my dog?
Yakult is good for your dog as long as given in the right amount.
That’s what the next question is all about. How much Yakult can you give to your dog & how often you should give it? Let’s go and find that out.
Can I give my dog Yakult everyday?
No, we do not recommend giving Yakult to a dog every day.
Why? The reason is that Yakult is a human probiotic. It contains other ingredients like sugar & glucose syrup, etc.
If your dog will drink it every day then it can cause obesity, diabetes, pancreatitis, and other health issues.
We recommend you to give Yakult to your dog once or twice a week only or you should use a dog-specific probiotic and feed it to your dog as per instructions.
Is Yakult safe for puppies?
No, Yakult is not good for puppies.
We do not recommend you give Yakult to your puppy because the digestive system of a puppy is very sensitive and different from the digestive system of an adult dog.
Yakult is a human probiotic. Therefore, a puppy might not tolerate the other ingredients present in Yakult like glucose syrup sugar, etc.
How much Yakult for a puppy?
No amount. You are not recommended to give any amount of Yakult to a puppy.
The reason is that Yakult is a human prebiotic and the gastrointestinal system of puppies is sensitive. So, puppies will not tolerate the ingredients present in Yakult.
We recommend you give dog-specific probiotics to your puppy as per the given instructions. They are completely safe and healthy for your puppies.
How old can a dog drink Yakult?
You should give Yakult to adult dogs only. Puppies should not be given Yakult because their digestive system is sensitive. You should give them dog-specific probiotics only.
Is Yakult dangerous for dogs?
Yes, Yakult is dangerous for your dog in the following cases:
1. Lactose intolerant dog
If your dog is lactose intolerant, then it won’t be able to break down the ingredients present in Yakult due to a lack of lactase enzyme.
It will show adverse reactions after drinking Yakult. That’s why we recommend you avoid giving Yakult to a lactose intolerant dog.
2. Overfeeding
Yakult also contains sugar and glucose syrup. If your dog will drink an excessive amount of Yakult then it will suffer from obesity, diabetes, pancreatitis, and many other health problems.
3. Already sick dog
If your dog is already sick and has existing conditions like kidney failure, pancreatitis, liver disease, obesity, and diabetes then giving them Yakult can be dangerous. So, you are recommended to avoid it.
Which probiotic is good for dogs?
Yakult (as a probiotic) is safe for dogs but it won’t give your dog as many benefits as compared to a dog-specific probiotic.
A dog-specific probiotic will be more beneficial for your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Yakult contain sugar?
Yes, Yakult contains sugar. Yakult, whether the original (red top) or the light one (blue top) contains a certain amount of sugar. Although the sugar content and calories in the light Yakult are lesser than the amount found in the original Yakult, however, each contains at least 2.8 grams of sugar.
Is Yakult good for dogs with diarrhea?
Yes, Yakult is good for dogs with diarrhea. The gastrointestinal tract of dogs contains both good and bad bacteria. Too much bad bacteria will negatively affect your dog, but your dog will benefit from having excess good bacteria. Yakult contains probiotic properties that can increase your dog’s chances of having more good bacteria in their guts or help them to achieve a balance between good and bad bacteria.
Is Yakult good for dogs with upset stomachs?
Yes, you can give dogs suffering from stomach upset Yakult. Your dog will benefit from taking drinks rich in probiotics as they help with digestive troubles like diarrhea, gas, and stomach upset. However, before administering to your dog, consult a vet.
Can I give my dog Yakult for vomiting?
No, it is not advisable to give your dog Yakult because it is vomiting. If your dog is vomiting, it could be a result of many reasons that are not even related to stomach upset or GI issues. Therefore, if you notice your dog is vomiting with an iota idea of any possible cause, I would suggest that you see a vet immediately.
Is Yakult good for 1 month or 2 months old puppy?
Well, there has not been any study dedicated to determining what age to start giving Yakult to dogs. However, Yakult is good for the health of fogs in general, therefore, I would advise seeing a vet before giving Yakult to your dog regardless of what age.
Although in some reports, it was stated that small size dogs should be given about a teaspoon of Yakult per day, 2 teaspoons of Yakult to a medium-sized dog per day, and 3 teaspoons of Yakult per day to a large-sized dog.
References used in this guide
The unique literary talents of Dr. A. Barton are well known throughout the veterinary profession. He is a regular contributor to the New York City Veterinarian and his professional articles have also appeared in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Journal of Small Animal Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Veterinarian and Philadelphia Medicine. He is the only veterinarian ever to have had an article published in the human medical publication, What’s New.
