I'm curious if it's safe to give my dog some vanilla Greek yogurt as a small treat? I know plain yogurt is usually okay, but I'm not sure about flavored ones. Would love to hear your thoughts!

Hi there! It’s great that you’re thinking about your pup’s health when it comes to treats. Plain yogurt is indeed a safe treat for dogs in moderation, but Greek yogurt with vanilla flavoring can sometimes be a bit trickier. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Check the ingredients: Make sure there’s no xylitol, an artificial sweetener that's highly toxic to dogs. A few licks of xylitol can be dangerous. If xylitol is on the list, this is an emergency. Call your vet immediately.
• Other ingredients: Watch out for high sugar content or artificial flavors—they're not toxic but aren’t ideal for your pup’s health.
• Symptoms to monitor: After introducing a new treat, keep an eye on your dog for any signs of tummy trouble like vomiting or diarrhea. Usually, these aren’t emergencies but should be monitored closely.
• When is it an emergency? If your dog ingests any toxic ingredients, shows signs of severe or persistent vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or any behavior that seems very unusual to you, it's time to consider it more urgent.
• At home care: If your dog shows mild digestive upset, you can withhold food (but not water) for about 12-24 hours to let their stomach settle, then reintroduce a bland diet like plain chicken and rice gradually.

If you're not sure about any ingredient or your dog shows symptoms that get worse, I recommend playing it safe and book a call with a vet on Dial A Vet for professional advice.