Can dogs drink milk? – Dogster

While most dogs will happily sip a bowl of milk, enjoying a piece of cheese as a gift or sneaking a lick of some ice cream is, in essence, milk and all other dairy products, not not always good for dogs.

The reason: Many dogs, but not all, are lactose intolerant. And while some dogs can tolerate milk, cheese, and yogurt, the bottom line is that many dogs’ digestive systems aren’t always able to fully break down lactose.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance in dogs include:

• flatulence
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Signs of stomach pain

“Dogs can develop antibodies to milk proteins, leading to them being allergic to milk. Chad Maki, a veterinarian in Huntington Beach, California explains.

“Also, most dairy products are high in fat which can cause gastroenteritis and pancreatitis. In addition, the proteins present in dairy products are not essential nutrients for dogs. They get all the nutrition they need from a balanced and properly formulated dog diet,” adds Dr. Maki.

Let’s take a look at the amount of lactose in some common dairy products that people feed their dogs. If you’re not sure, check the brand’s website or contact the company to find out:

See more Lactose content in the list created by University of Virginia.

Is milk good for dogs’ health?

Milk and dairy products, such as cheese and ice cream, have varying amounts of lactose (see chart above). Read the label of any dairy product before giving it to your dog. Most are high in calories and if taken as a regular snack, can lead to obesity. Some low-fat dairy products may contain the artificial sweetener xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure, or even death.

Milk can also cause another condition called a food allergy dermatitis.

Is milk safe for puppies?

From birth, puppies rely on mother’s milk for nourishment. The “key ingredient” in this milk is colostrum, which provides essential nutrition for growth and helps puppies acquire important protective antibodies from their mothers. Colostrum is especially important during the first few days after birth.

Dr. Maki points out that if you’re raising a young puppy and don’t have mother’s milk available, never substitute it with regular milk, including the lactose-free variety from the grocery store. There are specially formulated puppy milk substitutes that can be purchased from the veterinary office or online.

“Once the puppy is weaned from its mother at around 6 to 8 weeks old and can digest regular puppy foodthere is no longer a need for breast milk or a puppy milk substitute,” he added.

It’s best to discuss your puppy’s diet with your veterinarian, who can best advise on the different nutritional stages of childhood as the dog reaches adulthood. For example, for optimal long-term growth, larger breeds may need to maintain puppy food for longer periods of time than smaller dogs.

Are there any dog ​​milk products you can give your dog?

There are many dog ​​milk products on the market today. Some products are lactose-free or come in small amounts that make it easier for dogs to digest without problems. Let’s take a look at a few of them:

goat and dog milkGoat’s milk has less lactose than cow’s milk. Pure Goat Milk Shea Samuelsen-Russo, marketing and support manager at Boss Nation brand. Shea recommends pouring goat’s milk over dog food or freezing it in an ice cube tray, or Bosspaws Treatment Tray, for a delicious treat.

Yogurt for dogs: Matt Meyer, founder of Bear & Mouse cryogenic processing company. “Lactase is an enzyme necessary for the digestion of lactose. So yogurt can really help most dogs digest lactose.” The Bear & The Rat adds In Clover Pet’s Optaget to its yogurt, which provides a serving of organic prebiotics, along with four digestive enzymes. Matt explains: Prebiotics grow animals’ natural bacteria and enzymes that help them absorb food better.

Lactose-free dog milk: K9 Natural’s lactose-free dog milk Also made with lactase, which makes it easier for your dog to digest dairy products. Milk, as a supplement, not a meal replacement, consists of Taurine, flaxseed oil and calcium. Check out the website, for feeding recommendations.

Chewing milk for dogs: clear milk EcoKind’s Yak Chews Made from yak milk, according to the manufacturer, this milk contains higher levels of healthy fats, protein, iron, magnesium and calcium than cow’s milk. Yak milk is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid. Milk is processed to remove lactose, making it very gentle on sensitive stomachs.

With these products, feed your dog only a small amount the first time (as with all new foods) to make sure your dog doesn’t have a food sensitization or allergic reaction.

Dog food and food shelves are full of healthy options. And remember, never equate food or food with love. So resist the temptation to feed your dog regular ice cream cones. That milky Instagram moment could give your dog a stomach ache.