Just because some food or beverage is perfect for humans it doesn’t mean dogs will get the same perks. As a matter of fact, some foods and drinks that are beneficial for us, are deadly for dogs. Can dogs drink Yakult then? Well, this will be the main topic for today and we are going to explain it in great detail. You will want to know all we have to say and you will see why.
Yakult Drink: First Things To Know
Before we answer the question, can dogs drink Yakult? We need to know something more about this beverage. It comes from Tokyo and it is sweet milk. But, it is probiotic and as such, it has countless positive effects on the gastrointestinal tract. It is loaded with good bacteria that deserve a place in the gut and can help us process food easily and with better efficiency. Ingredients in this drink include:
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Lactobacillus casei Shirota bacteria
This is a good bacteria and it is very important for dogs and humans. It promotes the process in the gut and decreases the number of bad bacteria.
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Water
Yes, water is present here and it is something all [dogs and all humans need. There are no side effects obviously and your pet can drink as much water as he likes.
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Sugar
Sugar is not something your dog needs. Large amounts of sugar can cause obesity, issues with the teeth, and even pancreatitis. It is the first thing to avoid if a dog has diabetes.
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Nonfat milk
Dogs who are lactose intolerant must avoid this ingredient. They don’t have the enzymes that break down lactose hence they will end up with problems such as gas, abdominal pain, etc. Give your dog a small amount of nonfat milk. If he ends up with gas or loose stool, he is lactose intolerant.
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Natural flavors
These come in many variations and they are generally safe if they are natural. When it comes to Yakult the flavors are not toxic for dogs.
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Glucose syrup
Glucose syrup is loaded with sugar and as such, it can be bad for dogs. Your dog must not come in contact with glucose syrup in medium or large amounts.
Should I Give Yakult To My Dog?
You are probably confused at this moment. Some ingredients are good for the dog while others are bad. In reality, Yakult is safe for dogs and due to the good bacteria can help. Your pet will have better gut health and he will be able to process foods better.
This means that you can and you should give Yakult to a dog. But, you will want to do so in small amounts. The beverage comes in 2.7 fluid ounces of size. An adult dog shouldn’t drink the whole bottle. If you have a really big dog, half of the bottle is all he needs.
A smaller dog will need even less Yakult. Ideally, you would divide one bottle for the entire week. This means that dogs will get small amounts of Yakult every now and then. This is important because he will get all the benefits and none of the downsides that will come from sugar, glucose syrup or etc.
If your pet is lactose intolerant, has diabetes, has poor dental health, or has some other issues where added sugar is bad, do not give Yakult at all. As always, start with really small amounts and gradually increase them if possible.
When Should My Dog Drink Yakult?
Ideally, you will give this drink to your pet occasionally, once a week for instance. However, there are cases when your dog can truly benefit from Yakult. The best example is when your pet has poor gut health. It means that the count of good bacteria is very low while the count of bad bacteria is high and growing. If this is the case, your pet will show certain signs. They are:
- Inflammation
- Vomiting
- Chronic nausea, diarrhea, and leaky gut (all gastrointestinal issues)
- Skin infections
- Licking the paws all the time
- Dull hair and shedding
Your dog can have a few of these or can have just one. It is possible that he has all of these symptoms but you didn’t notice them. The most obvious and the ones you will probably notice first are vomiting and diarrhea. Those are the most common as well so they can help you diagnose the issue.
Once you give your dog Yakult, the good bacteria will increase the count. You can see how a dog will start to act better and he won’t have these symptoms anymore. Try to remember that basically, you are giving your dog probiotics. This is the main purpose of Yakult in this scenario. You can also give your dog human probiotics. Those are not toxic to dogs but they may be less effective or they may fail to help.
Our recommendation is to try with a small amount of Yakult. If you see progress continue with it but always in small amounts. If your dog is still in discomfort and there are no positive signs, take him to a vet.
It is possible that there is a more severe cause for his poor gastrointestinal health hence Yakult alone will not help. This does happen a lot and vets are experts in solving the main cause of the problem and all the related problems. There is no need to worry about complications or anything similar.
The Final Word
We hope now you know all about this beverage and your dog. Can dogs drink Yakult? Yes, they can but in moderation. This is not one of those beverages you can give to your pet in massive amounts and watch the progress or benefits. The only benefit your dog will really have comes from the good bacteria present in the drink. Other benefits are non-existing or they are so small that there is no need to mention them here.