Can Dogs Drink Milk? How Much Milk Can They Consume?
Milk and other dairy products are beneficial to humans. They are rich in calcium, which is essential for strong bones, as well as vitamin D, which is also an integral component of healthy bones. Given the amazing benefits of milk, you may be tempted to ask, ‘can dogs drink milk?’
Well, the answer to this question is yes and no. Yes, because when given in moderation, milk can be beneficial to your dog. However, you have to watch out because some dogs are lactose intolerant, and giving them milk might cause other health problems.
Also worth noting is the fact that many pups are lactose intolerant, so giving them milk will not be the best idea. Even though milk is beneficial to dogs the same way it is beneficial to humans, you have to ensure you give your dog milk in moderation. High quantities of milk taken over a long period can cause serious health problems for your dog. Keep reading to find out more.
When Do Dogs Drink Milk?
Similar to human infants, dogs only need milk when they are born. At that stage, milk can easily be broken down as the puppy will have high levels of lactase enzyme. The lactase enzyme is responsible for breaking down the milk. However, as the dog grows, the amount of the lactase enzyme in their body decreases; thus, they start losing the ability to digest milk. As a result, many dogs will begin to experience lactose intolerance. Fortunately, once a puppy is weaned, they no longer need milk from their mother.
A puppy can only digest their mother’s milk. Therefore, cow’s milk should not be given to the puppy as a substitute. Giving a puppy cow’s milk instead of dog’s milk is risky as cow’s milk has higher levels of lactose compared to dog’s milk. The puppy might not be able to digest the cow’s milk and may end up having digestion problems.
Due to the low levels of lactase enzyme in their bodies, dogs can have health problems when they drink cow’s milk regularly. Digesting the milk can be a problem; hence the lactose found in the milk will end up in the colon undigested. The undigested sugar found in the lactose will then draw in water into the colon, thus causing diarrhea.
On the other hand, the fermentation of the bacteria in the colon can cause discomfort. In some instances, dogs can develop a serious health condition known as pancreatitis.
Signs That Your Dog Is Allergic To Milk
To know if your dog is allergic to milk or has milk intolerance, you need to watch out for the following signs.
Vomiting
Even though your dog may vomit once in a while, frequent vomiting is one sign of lactose intolerance. For dogs that are allergic to milk, the vomiting may be intense and quite alarming. This happens when there are changes in the dog’s gut after they consume milk or other dairy products. You will know your dog is about to vomit when it starts licking surfaces and drooling.
Diarrhea
If you notice that your dog releases more feces than they usually do or when the wastes are watery, then you need to limit their milk consumption or stop altogether. A normal dog stool should be firm and formed.
Diarrhea is one of the most common signs of lactose intolerance among dogs. Your dog is likely to diarrhea within 12 hours after consuming milk or other dairy products like ice cream and cheese.
Bloating
When the undigested lactose settles in the dog’s stomach, it is going to ferment and produce bacteria. As a result, there is going to be an increase in gas content in your dog’s large and small intestines. Consequently, your dog will start feeling bloated.
Even though the intestines will increase in size to accommodate the gas, your dog will appear bloated and will be uncomfortable too.
Lack of Appetite
Milk and other dairy products can make your dog nauseous if they are allergic to them. Nausea will then result in a reduced appetite.
However, there are many other causes of lack of appetite in dogs, such as injuries and viruses. Thus, it is best to check with a vet before concluding that the milk is the cause of your dog’s loss of appetite.
Is Goat’s Milk a Safer Option?
Even though goats milk has recently increased in its popularity among dog owners, its safety for dogs is still under scrutiny.
Compared to cow’s milk, goat’s milk is differently structured in terms of its fats and proteins. This makes it easier for your dog to digest it, and it is the main reason why many dogs are not allergic to goat’s milk. However, moderation is still crucial even with goat’s milk.
Can a dog drink non-dairy beverages?
Other than your dog’s tolerance of milk, the type of milk you give your dog is another important consideration.
Almond milk
You can give your dog small amounts (tablespoons) of almond milk as a treat. However, this should only be done occasionally to avoid digestion problems.
You can test the safety of the almond by giving your dog a small amount and then being on the lookout for any signs of allergy. If your dog has no allergic reaction, you can continue giving them the milk, but be sure to avoid sweetened almond milk as the sweetener (xylitol) is highly toxic to dogs.
Soy Milk
Soy milk has proteins known as Phytoestrogens. These proteins are the female hormones found in plants. Even though there is a debate on the safety of giving a dog large quantities of soy milk, low amounts of the milk are considered safe for dogs.
Some soy milk advocates even recommend it for improving a dog’s health thanks to its proteins. Soy proteins are known to reduce urinary incontinence in dogs, and some vets even recommend supplements containing soy proteins.
Some dogs have no problem consuming milk and can lap up a whole bowl of milk, while others can have serious gastric distress after having a small pin of ice cream. The best thing is to know your dog before giving it milk. Fortunately, milk is not a vital part of a dog’s diet, so you can skip it altogether if you are unsure of its safety to your dog.