Another Yogurt Question

[BG and Gavin]

We started Gavin on yogurt.  Problem was that DH (bless his heart) bought the wrong one - he got regluar plain yogurt, not fat free.  Gavin gobbled it up like crazy.  Next purchase was the fat free variety and guess what?  Gavin won't eat it.  My question:  is it okay to feed him the regular fat yogurt?  He is a bit on the thin side.  The vet said he does not wish for me to actively try and put weight on him, but he would be okay with Gavin gaining up to 5 more pounds.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Can you give us the nutritional values of the yogurt in terms of calories and fat percentage?

[BG and Gavin]

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
1 cup (8 fl oz) (245.0 g) 1 container (8 oz) (227.0 g) 1/2 container (4 oz) (113.0 g)

Amount Per Serving
Calories 149Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8.0g12%
Saturated Fat 5.1g26%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat 2.2g
Cholesterol 32mg11%
Sodium 113mg5%
Total Carbohydrates 11.4g4%
Sugars 11.4g
Protein 8.5g

Vitamin A 5% • Vitamin C 2%
Calcium 30% • Iron 1%

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, if he won't eat the non-fat kind, he won't, but the full fat version has a significant difference in overall calories and fat percentages. Here is the info for Dannon plain fat-free yogurt:
Serving Size: 6 oz

Amount per Serving
Calories 80 Calories from Fat 0
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 115mg 5%
Potassium 380mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Sugars 12g
Protein 8g 16%
Vitamin C4%
Calcium30%
Est. Percent of Calories from:
Fat 0.0% Carbs 60.0%
Protein 40.0%

I'm thinking maybe you could look into the low-fat versions, rather than non-fat. That might be a good compromise.
Otherwise, I'd maybe keep the amount to a tablespoon or two with each meal.
A word about Greek yogurt; it contains almost twice the calories and up to three times as much fat as regular full-fat American yogurt. 6 oz. contains about 260 calories and 30% of the recommended daily fat allowance for humans. I don't know what the RDAs are for dogs, but it's a pretty sure bet their requirements for both calories and fat are lower than ours, given the difference in size & weight. High fat foods contribute greatly to pancreatitis in dogs, so I would give this sparingly, if at all.
Keep in mind that it only takes an extra 3500 calories to gain 1 pound. If a person or a dog took in a mere 100 calories per day above what they require to maintain their current weight, they would gain a pound in about a month.

[Vicky & Cassidy]

I just happened to see this, and I went through the same thing with Jamaica ~ she would not touch the low-fat yoghurt after loving the regular. So then we stuck with regular for awhile ~ they actually can use a bit of extra fat, particularly, as you say, Gavin is a bit on the thin side.

Now I give Jammers Greek Yoghurt, which was recommended. Unfortunately, I do not remember why.......(lol) But he will love it, too.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Maybe you could try a mix of both? That would help keep the fat calories down but still add some flavor.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

For what it's worth, my Vet told me low fat or fat free only for my guys. I mix dried cranberries or blueberries with it and they love it.

[BG and Gavin]

Okay thanks everyone for all of the feedback. I think I will try the low fat option as opposed to the no fat option and see how it goes. If not, I will go with the full fat and just be careful about the amount. Currently he gets two tablespoons once per day. I like him to have a dollop on top of his food, because it helps him maintain interest in his kibble.

[Vicky & Cassidy]

I think it's interesting that you have to "bribe" Gavin with yoghurt to get him to eat his kibble. Why not find something he likes? Jamaica was never all that excited about her kibble, and I hate to sound preachy, but we have been feeding her real food (I think calling it "raw" turns a lot of people off) for a few months now and she loves it! And I love doing it for her.

And not that they were all that bad, but I can see an improvement in her ears and teeth.

Just consider it.

[BG and Gavin]

He's just not a real food motivated dog. He is on a top notch grain free kibble which I am very comfortable with and he likes as well as anything. He just eats what he wants when he is hungry. This is usually okay because he eats about half at noon and the other half around 7pm. However I sometimes want him to eat when I want him to eat - like before I go to work a morning shift - because I happen to know that he settles for a rest after he eats and that is the state I would like him to be when I leave. In addition, if no one is home, he doesn't seem to touch his food. Am I a control freak??

Feeding real food is definitely a "lifestyle choice" which I know is very good, but it just is not for me. I do however appreciate the suggestion.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I would probably try Ricki's idea and gradually add more low-fat or fat-free til he gets used to the taste of fat-free again. I am surprised he is not real food motivated. That surprises me as I always thought ALL dogs were. Interesting. Guess I got lucky with my two then because getting them to eat is the LEAST of my problems. Actually I have more problems slowing them down!!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack is not at all food motivated, and that includes "real food", too. He won't touch any kind of yogurt, with or without fat, or even cheese. No peanut butter, either. He's very, very picky. Yet he weighs too much, so it certainly isn't hurting him to be a picky eater.
I don't derive any special pleasure from seeing my dogs or anyone else enjoy their food. I myself don't eat for enjoyment, I eat for fuel and nutrients. Naturally, it's nice when your dog (or your kid) likes what you give him. But I've stopped worrying about it. Leaner is always healthier, for dogs as well as people. It's been scientifically shown that dogs who are exceptionally lean live longer.
But there are times when you really do need a dog to eat and be done. Gavin's mom gave a good example above. And I remember the night before Jackdoodle's allergy testing, when he wasn't allowed to have anything to eat after a certain time, how frustrated I got when he wouldn't eat his dinner, knowing that I would have to take up the bowl at a certain time and he'd have to go 'til the next evening with no food. I ended up scrambling him a couple of eggs, that's one thing he can't resist!

[BG and Gavin]

Update:
Gavins says: "hmmm, okay" to 2% yogurt. Don't tell him, but I mixed the remaining 0% yogurt into the container. Waste not, want not.