Why
Plain yogurt is a dairy food, so the same lactose problem applies: some cats tolerate a lick, many get an upset stomach.
How to serve yogurt
- Plain, unsweetened yogurt only, a small lick.
- Never flavored or artificially sweetened yogurt.
Watch out for
- Watch for diarrhea or vomiting.
- Sweeteners such as xylitol must be avoided.
How much yogurt can a cat eat?
Treats of every kind should stay under 10% of a cat's daily calories. Here is that daily treat budget by size, and how much yogurt it buys if yogurt is the only treat that day. Yogurt has about 63 kcal per 100 g; 1 container (6 oz) (170 g) is about 107 kcal.
| Cat size | Daily treat budget | Max yogurt a day |
|---|---|---|
| Small cat (6 lb) | 18 kcal | 28 g (a quarter of container (6 oz)) |
| Average cat (10 lb) | 26 kcal | 41 g (a quarter of container (6 oz)) |
| Large cat (14 lb) | 34 kcal | 53 g (a third of container (6 oz)) |
Less is better for overweight or diabetic cats. Work out your own cat's numbers with the cat food calculator. Calories: USDA FoodData Central, Yogurt, plain, low fat.
Other dairy: quick answers
| Food | Verdict | Short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | Avoid | Best avoided. Many adult cats are lactose intolerant, and cow's milk can cause vomiting and diarrhea. |
| Cheese | Small amounts | A tiny piece is tolerated by some cats, but most adult cats are lactose intolerant. |
Rules for any new food
- Plain is the rule: no salt, butter, oil, onion, garlic, sugar or sweeteners. Most of the danger in human food comes from what is added to it.
- Keep all treats under 10% of your cat's daily calories . The rest should come from a complete cat food.
- Check labels for onion and garlic powder, which turn up in stock, gravy, baby food and seasoned meat.
- If your cat has a health condition, such as diabetes, kidney disease or a sensitive stomach, ask your vet before adding any new food.
Frequently asked questions
Is yogurt safe for cats?
Plain yogurt in a very small amount may be tolerated by some cats.
How much yogurt can a cat have?
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of a cat's daily calories. For an average 10 lb neutered cat that is about 26 kcal a day, or roughly 41 g of yogurt if it is the only treat that day.
Sources
- Embrace Pet Insurance, "7 Foods You Can Share With Your Cat" (Chyrle Bonk, DVM, updated Apr 10, 2025)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control, "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets"
- Pet Nutrition Alliance, "Calculating Calories Based on Pet Needs"
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (April 2018 release)
Checked October 17, 2026. We are a reference, not a vet: if in doubt, call yours. How we check.