Can Dogs Eat Curd?

A Desi Carnivore’s Take on Dahi for Dogs

Rice and curd. It’s the classic Indian remedy for everything—upset stomach, hot weather, fussy eating. And for generations, Indian dog parents have extended this logic to their pets. “Give him some dahi, it’ll cool him down.” “Mix curd with rice, it’s good for digestion.”

So can dogs eat curd? Yes, most dogs can eat curd in moderation without immediate harm.

But as with most things in canine nutrition, the real question isn’t whether they can—it’s whether they should, and how much actually makes sense for their biology.

Let’s break this down properly.

The Lactose Question: Why Dairy Is Complicated for Dogs

Here’s the fundamental issue: most adult dogs are lactose intolerant to some degree.

Puppies produce lactase—the enzyme needed to digest lactose (milk sugar)—because they need it to process their mother’s milk. But as dogs mature, lactase production naturally decreases. By adulthood, many dogs have limited ability to break down lactose efficiently.

This doesn’t mean dairy will poison your dog. It means undigested lactose can ferment in the gut, potentially causing:

Gas and bloating

Loose stools or diarrhoea

Stomach discomfort

General digestive upset

The severity varies dramatically between individual dogs. Some handle dairy without any visible issues. Others react to even small amounts. You won’t know which

category your dog falls into until you observe their response.

Why Curd Is Different From Milk

Here’s the good news: curd (dahi) is generally easier for dogs to digest than straight milk.

During fermentation, the live bacteria in curd partially break down lactose, reducing its overall content. This is why many dogs who can’t tolerate milk can handle curd without obvious digestive distress.

The fermentation process also creates beneficial bacteria—probiotics—which is the main argument people make for giving curd to dogs in the first place.

So compared to milk, curd is:

Lower in lactose

Contains live probiotic cultures

Easier on the digestive system

Better tolerated by most dogs

That said, “better than milk” doesn’t automatically mean “ideal for dogs.”

The Probiotic Argument: Is Curd Actually Good for Dog Gut Health?

This is where it gets interesting. The main reason people recommend curd for dogs is the probiotic benefit—the idea that live cultures support digestive health.

Is this true? Partially.

Probiotics can indeed support gut health in dogs, particularly:

After antibiotic treatment (which disrupts gut flora)

During digestive upset

When transitioning between foods

For dogs with chronic digestive sensitivities

However—and this is important—the probiotic strains in regular homemade curd aren’t specifically optimised for canine gut health. Dogs have different gut microbiomes than humans. The bacteria that thrive in human digestive systems aren’t necessarily the same ones that benefit dogs most.

Does curd provide some probiotic benefit? Probably. Is it the most effective way to support your dog’s gut health? Not necessarily.

The Real Problem: When Curd Becomes a Diet Staple

Here’s where I need to be direct with you.

The occasional spoonful of curd as a treat or digestive aid? Probably fine for most dogs.

The classic Indian approach of “rice and curd” as a regular meal? That’s where problems start.

Let me break down what’s actually in a typical “rice and curd” meal:

Rice: A carbohydrate source that dogs don’t nutritionally require, providing calories but minimal essential nutrients

Curd: A dairy product with some protein, fat, calcium, and probiotics—but not a complete protein source for carnivores

What’s missing: Animal protein, essential amino acids, species-appropriate nutrition

Your dog is a facultative carnivore. Their body is designed to thrive on animal protein. A meal of rice and curd—no matter how traditional or well-intentioned—simply doesn’t provide what their biology requires.

I’ve written about this in detail in my piece on whether dogs should eat rice, but the short version is: rice fills the stomach without meeting nutritional needs. Adding curd doesn’t fix that fundamental problem.

What About the “Cooling” Properties?

In Ayurvedic and traditional Indian thinking, curd is considered a “cooling” food—something that helps regulate body heat, especially in summer.

I respect traditional knowledge systems, but I also need to be honest: there’s no scientific evidence that curd actually lowers a dog’s core body temperature or provides meaningful thermoregulation benefits.

If you want to help your dog stay cool in Indian summers, far more effective approaches include:

Ensuring constant access to fresh, cool water

Providing shaded resting areas

Avoiding walks during peak heat hours

Using cooling mats or wet towels

Maintaining appropriate grooming for their coat type

Curd might feel like you’re doing something helpful in the heat, but it’s not a substitute for proper heat management.

How to Feed Curd Responsibly (If You Choose To)

If you want to include curd in your dog’s diet, here’s how to do it sensibly:

Keep it plain. No sugar, no fruit, no flavourings. Plain, unsweetened curd only.

Start small. A teaspoon for small dogs, a tablespoon for larger dogs. Observe for 24-48 hours before increasing.

Watch for reactions. Gas, loose stools, vomiting, or unusual lethargy after eating curd suggests your dog doesn’t tolerate it well.

Treat it as a treat, not a meal. Curd should be an occasional addition, not a dietary foundation. A few spoonfuls per week at most.

Choose full-fat over low-fat. Low-fat curd often has added sugars or thickeners. Full-fat, plain curd is a cleaner option.

Never replace protein with curd. If you’re adding curd, it’s on top of a protein-rich, species-appropriate meal—not instead of one.

When Curd Actually Makes Sense

There are specific situations where a bit of curd can be genuinely useful:

Post-antibiotic recovery: When antibiotics have disrupted gut flora, the probiotics in curd may help restore balance.

Hiding medication: A small amount of curd can help mask the taste of pills or powders.

Encouraging hydration: For dogs reluctant to drink water, curd mixed with water can encourage fluid intake.

Training treats: Frozen curd in small portions can work as a cooling, high-value treat.

Enticing picky eaters: A spoonful of curd on top of food can make a meal more appealing for fussy dogs.

Notice the pattern? All of these are occasional, specific uses—not daily dietary practices.

Better Alternatives for Gut Health

If your goal is supporting your dog’s digestive health, there are more effective approaches than relying on curd:

Species-appropriate diet: A protein-rich, minimally processed diet supports gut health far more effectively than any supplement or additive.

Canine-specific probiotics: If you want probiotic benefits, products formulated specifically for dogs contain strains that actually colonise the canine gut.

Prebiotic fibre: Foods like pumpkin (in moderation) feed beneficial gut bacteria and support healthy digestion.

Bone broth: Rich in collagen and amino acids, bone broth supports gut lining integrity and is far more species-appropriate than dairy.

The Bottom Line

Can dogs eat curd? Yes, most can tolerate it.

Should curd be a regular part of your dog’s diet? Not really.

Should “rice and curd” be a meal? Definitely not.

Curd isn’t toxic. It isn’t evil. It’s just… not particularly necessary for a species whose digestive system is designed for meat, not dairy. The probiotic benefits are modest at best. The “cooling” properties are more cultural belief than biological reality. And the

nutritional contribution is negligible compared to what a proper protein-based diet provides.

If your dog enjoys the occasional lick of curd and tolerates it well, there’s no need to panic. But if you’ve been relying on curd as a nutritional strategy—whether for gut health, cooling, or just because “we’ve always done it”—it might be time to rethink that approach.

Your dog deserves nutrition designed for their biology, not human dietary traditions adapted for convenience.

Want to learn more about species-appropriate nutrition for Indian dogs?

Explore The Desi Carnivore — our comprehensive guide to biology-based canine nutrition, designed specifically for Indian pet parents navigating local food culture and climate challenges.

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About the Author: Mahiv is a certified canine nutritionist and founder of The Doggos. His work challenges conventional pet nutrition wisdom and helps Indian dog parents make informed, biology-based choices for their dogs.