Japanese food and drinks have continued to be popular due to their taste and health benefits. One such product is Yakult. What is Yakult anyway? Quite simply put, it’s a fermented milk product that people take as a health supplement.
The main ingredient in Yakult is lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which is an effective treatment against diarrhea in humans. Animals like pets, livestock, and even fish have seen good results.
You may ask yourself, “can I give my Dog Yakult or any other probiotics for that matter? Is Yakult good for dogs, and is it okay to provide them with this product?” Well, we’re going to discover what exactly you can and cannot do when it comes to feeding your pet with the popular Japanese dairy drink.
Can I Let My Dog Drink Yakult?
Yes, you can let your dog drink Yakult within moderation. You have to remember that dairy can be bad for dogs’ health if they are lactose intolerant or have allergies to milk products. So only give them small amounts. Excess dairy consumption can also lead to:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Flatulence
- Pancreatitis
When in doubt, ask your veterinarian or animal nutritionist about how much Yakult is okay to give before letting your dog consume the product. Even if he doesn’t have an allergy or intolerance, too much of anything can harm him (even when it’s something good like Yakult).
Ensure not to take this health benefit for granted and always know exactly what you’re giving your pet. Think about dosage, dog size, dog age, and digestive history to avoid any problems with health.
Can I Give My Dog Yakult for Diarrhea?
Yakult has been effective in treating diarrhea in humans, including infants. Luckily, probiotics like Yakult also help dogs by:
- Preventing the growth and spread of harmful bacteria in your dog’s digestive system
- Replenishing beneficial bacteria in the intestines
- Improve mood and increase the absorption of nutrients
- Enhancing immune system function
The LAB in Yakult is the one that helps combat diarrhea. It will fight harmful bacteria and restore your dog’s digestive system balance. As such, giving a dog Yakult is relatively healthy. It will help get rid of diarrhea fast while also strengthening his immune system at the same time.
Ensure not to give the dog more than prescribed because too much of anything isn’t good. Plus, make sure that you buy Yakult from a trusted source because it may cause side effects for your dog if of low quality.
How Much Yakult Can a Dog Have?
When giving your dog Yakult, remember that moderation is the key. You will want to give your dog no more than what was prescribed and not give it daily.
Ideally, a dog can have Yakult once or twice a week with the following guidelines:
- For small dogs, one teaspoon per serving is adequate.
- For medium-sized dogs, two teaspoons are good.
- Large dogs or giant-breed dogs may handle three teaspoons.
Also, make sure not to freeze Yakult and let your pet eat it when it’s frozen because it can pose health risks when consumed, like choking and indigestion.
Don’t add honey when feeding Yakult to dogs, especially if they’re puppies or younger than three months old. Yakult already has sugar in it, so the last thing you need is to add more.
As for the dosage of Yakult to feed your dog, it’s best to ask a veterinarian how much is safe to give based on your individual pet’s health condition. Before giving Yakult or any other probiotics, you should consult a professional first.
Can Yakult Help With Worms?
As mentioned, Yakult can help treat diarrhea. That means that it can also help rid your dog of parasites like tapeworms.
Tapeworms are common in dogs. They are especially common in doggies who eat fleas or other insects. So giving your dog Yakult will eliminate the tapeworms and their eggs. Make sure to check with your vet first before giving your dog Yakult to get rid of worms.
Can I Give My Puppy Yakult?
The answer is the same for this as for the previous questions. It’s best to consult your veterinarian first before giving anything new to your puppy. Its immune system isn’t yet fully developed, so it could have issues with dairy products.
Be careful what you give to puppies under three months old or other dogs that are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk-based products.
Yakult has also caused:
- Digestive issues
- Bloating
- Gas
- Vomiting
- Flatulence
- Cramps
- Diarrhea
Some of these effects can be deadly for puppies who are too young to handle them.
So make sure not to feed Yakult to puppies under three months old unless your veterinarian gives permission and is within the dosage. If the puppy’s system can handle probiotics, it can benefit from it, but play it safe.
Can Dogs Use Other Probiotics?
Luckily, dogs can have other probiotics aside from Yakult. If the quantities are right and you give it to your dog at least once a week, it will have similar effects to Yakult.
S. Boulardi is a bacterium that lives in the gut and helps prevent diarrhea caused by pawpaw extract ingestion for puppies under 1-year-old. Lactobacillus Acidophilus is a “good” bacteria that benefits the intestines and helps prevent diarrhea. Bifidobacteria is another “good” bacteria for your dog’s digestion system.
However, just like any other supplements, you should consult a veterinarian before giving them to your dog. The dosage might differ for every pet depending on age, weight, health condition, etc.
Conclusion – Can I Give My Dog Yakult?
In conclusion, your dog can benefit from Yakult just like you do, with the same dosage. Yakult is healthy for dogs but don’t feed them with it daily.
Give your dog Yakult once or twice a week at most with the same guidelines above, and consult your veterinarian first before giving anything new to your pet. This product can help dogs by strengthening their immune system and preventing diarrhea.
