Activia is a probiotic yogurt that’s said to help with stomach infections, indigestion, bowel irritability and improve overall digestion.
But what about for dogs?
Truth be told, it is unlikely that Activia’s live bacteria cultures will make a difference. Your dog should be checked out by your vet if they have regular diarrhea or other bowel chronic problems.
That said, sharing a bit of Activia is harmless.
Your Dog Can Have Some Activia
A few tablespoons of yogurt is okay unless there is xylitol or other unnatural artificial sweeteners!
Read the Activia label before feeding your dog a portion. Yoghurt is beneficial albeit a bit questionable and not totally proven. Nevertheless, an unflavored, unsweetened, and non-fat yogurt is something you can share with your dog on occasion.
If you are looking for a good probiotic for your dog’s diarrhea then you may be in luck. There are products on the market, although also unproven, that have been created specifically for pets.
Activia has a relatively high sugar content, which can be some cause for concern.
An Activia Controversy
Dannon emphasizes that Activia is a healthy yogurt due to the nutrients and probiotics. However, these claims aren’t without controversy. The scientific studies used are said to be questionable.
More study is needed for live cultures that are found in Activia yogurt. Additional research should be carried out for the benefit of both humans and dogs.
Probiotics or Yogurt?
While it isn’t conclusive, specialized probiotics mixed in with dog food could be a better way to treat various digestive issues. In theory, it replaces good bacteria that your dog loses during a bout of diarrhea.
Although Activia does contain beneficial bacteria to aid digestion, dogs have a different set of bacteria that’s better suited for them.
So again, Activia may work to soothe the digestive tract for some dogs. And yes, yogurt is mostly considered a safe food for canines, as long as they are non-fat and given in reasonable amounts.
However, there are probiotics on the market that have been manufactured for dogs which can probably work more effectively than a yogurt.
Ideas For Dog Diarrhea
There are other foods you can provide to your dog if they are having continuously loose stools. First, fast your dog for at least 24-hours.
Supply water of course. Dehydration is something to look out for with diarrhea and you must sustain their water supply during such as critical time.
Afterwards, bland and low-fat foods might help them to regain the nutrition they’ve lost. Feed boiled foods such as pumpkin or chicken with rice to help regulate their bowel movements back to normal.
Other Foods for Fido
Aside from yogurt, which is rich in calcium, protein, and of course probiotics, there are other people food options. Salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids which promote a healthy immune system. This can also help their skin and coat to be healthier.
Sweet potato is high in fiber and other essential vitamins which makes it an idea for maintaining a healthy digestive tract. Eggs are also a great source of protein for dogs.
I just fed my two dogs Activia low fat strawberry yogurt mixed in with their usual Nutro granule dog food! Is that something I can do everyday?
What about the vitamin D in Activia? I thought vitamin D was bad for dogs.
It’s okay to give your dog Activia as long as it’s in moderation.