Can Dogs Drink Milk? Can Dogs Have Milk?
Can Dogs Drink Milk? Can Dogs Have Milk?
Most doggy friends enjoy milk products. But should dogs drink milk? Briefly, maybe. Similar to most human foods, it should be given to your dog only in small amounts. And many puppies are lactose intolerant, and milk consumption can lead to stomach upset. Can Dogs Drink Milk? Can Dogs Have Milk
How Much Milk Can Dogs Drink?
Milk is a safe treat in moderation. A small amount of cow’s milk or goat’s milk every once in a while can be a nice treat for your dog. But, you should most likely refrain from giving your dog a whole bowl at a time, since it will trigger unpleasant consequences like diarrhea, vomiting, and loose stools. Can Dogs Drink Milk? Can Dogs Have Milk? The drink is rich in fat and natural sugars. Excess of these in your dog’s food can result in obesity and pancreatitis, which are dangerous illnesses.
Lactose Intolerance in Dogs
Milk products are a primary cause of food intolerance in dogs. A lot of dogs are lactose intolerant and find it hard to digest milk. Some lactose intolerant dogs find it hard to consume milk, but can manage dairy products such as cheese and plain yogurt, which are generally easier to digest. Other dogs might react poorly to milk in general. Can Dogs Drink Milk? Can Dogs Have Milk?
Are Dogs Lactose Intolerant?
Can Dogs Drink Milk? Can Dogs Have Milk? Yes, dogs are lactose intolerant. Dogs are born with the enzyme sufficient to break down their mother’s milk, which is richer in nutrients and has less lactose than cow milk. After some time, dogs might lose the enzymes they require to metabolize the milk that fed them as puppies. This translates to an increased sensitivity to the lactose in milk, especially when administered in large quantities. Can Dogs Drink Milk? Can Dogs Have Milk?
Symptoms of lactose intolerance will manifest in some dogs no matter what amount of dairy they consume. Vomiting, diarrhea, gas, bloating, stomach pain, and loss of appetite after consuming even a small quantity of milk can be secondary to lactose intolerance in dogs. If symptoms are marked or last longer than 12 hours, consult with your veterinarian for guidance.
Can Dogs Have Milk Alternatives?
While whole milk is not a great idea for dogs, sharing milk substitutes is not on the list either. These include almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, and coconut milk. These milks, despite being plant-based, tend to be fairly high in fat and calories—stuff Fido shouldn’t have. Can Dogs Drink Milk? Can Dogs Have Milk? Also, milk substitutes typically contain added sugars or sweeteners, some of which (like xylitol) actually can be toxic to your dog.
All of these milks can cause vomiting and diarrhea if consumed in excess, and some dogs have an allergy to their main content. It’s best to say no to milk substitutes for your dog.
Can Puppies Drink Milk?
Puppies can drink safely dog milk and weaning diets formulated for them (like Esbilac®). However, puppies must not be given other milks like cow milk or goat milk, which are not designed for dogs and could be too concentrated in some nutrients and lacking in others.
After a puppy has been weaned, milk is no longer required and a balanced commercial puppy food provides them with all the nutrients that they require.
What Can a Dog Drink Other Than Water?
The safest, healthiest, and best method of giving your dog a drink is water. All dogs must have access to water at all times, and you can also offer it to them by placing water in a Kong® toy and freezing it so they can lick off the ice.
Several common human beverages are toxic to dogs, such as:
- Juice and store-bought adult electrolyte replacers typically contain a great deal of added sugar or other sweeteners that are not good for your dog
- Tea and coffee contain far too much caffeine for canines
- Alcohol is a terrible idea in all situations and can cause alcohol poisoning
- Vegetable juices can cause vomiting and diarrhea
What Type of Milk Can Dogs Drink?
Various types of milk have various impacts on your dog’s gut. A few popular milk types and tips for pet owners on whether the milk product is or is not safe for pets include: Can Dogs Drink Milk? Can Dogs Have Milk?
- Almond milk: A lactose-free milk alternative from almonds and water, almond milk is safe for dogs with lactose intolerance as an infrequent treat sprinkled over dog food.
- Flavored milk: Certain milks contain added flavorings such as strawberry, chocolate, or vanilla—flavored milks contain greater amounts of sugar and fat content and are unsafe as dog treats. Some flavored milks also have the presence of xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs even at small concentrations.
- Goat’s milk: Similar to cow’s milk, goat’s milk contains a high concentration of lactose that makes it unsafe in dogs with lactose intolerance.
- Mother’s milk: The mother’s milk is safe. Although the milk that adults produce after they’re born does contain lactose, the digestive tracts of nursing puppies overproduce the enzyme lactase so that they can digest their mother’s milk. It’s only once they’ve grown up that their bodies bring lactase production down. If nursing-age puppies require milk but do not have an accessible mother to suckle them, avoid substituting cow’s milk; commercial dog milk substitutes are better.
- Oat milk: A lactose-free milk derived from oats and water, oat milk is not as dangerous to dogs as cow’s milk due to its dangers of lactose intolerance, so it can be given in small amounts.
- Plain yogurt: A milk by-product, plain yogurt contains lactose and is dangerous for lactose-intolerant dogs.
- Soy milk: Milk made of water and soybeans, soy milk is not like cow’s milk in that it lacks the dangers of lactose intolerance, making it okay for dogs in moderation.
