Milk is a popular beverage for many people, not only for children but also for many adults. Milk belongs in cereal as well as in cocoa or is sipped as hot milk with honey during cold symptoms. However, for many dog lovers, the question often arises: Can dogs drink milk? Find out in this post whether dogs should consume cow’s milk and how milk consumption could affect your dog.
Ingredients in Milk – Healthy for Dogs?
Milk is a natural multitasker with plenty of healthy nutrients. It is known for its high protein content and also contains minerals such as calcium, chloride, potassium, and phosphorus. Vitamins B12 and B2 are also present in milk and have a supportive effect on blood formation.
However, milk primarily contains the ingredient lactose, also known as milk sugar. This ingredient can cause problems in dogs because the enzyme lactase is needed to break down lactose. While most puppies still produce this enzyme in their early stages, they tend to lose it as they mature. The result is that lactose can no longer be broken down, leading to lactose intolerance, similar to humans.
Side Effects When Dogs Drink Milk
Whether dogs can drink milk depends largely on their tolerance. Due to the lack of the enzyme lactase, dogs may react to milk consumption with various side effects. Digestive problems are among the most common reactions.
Side effects include:
- Discomfort
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Vomiting
Additionally, dogs can develop a milk allergy to milk protein, manifesting as itching in the ears and paws, as well as chronic inflammation. If a dog is fed milk over an extended period, diarrhea can also become chronic.
On the other hand, puppies can digest milk well and show minimal physical side effects.
How to Determine If Your Dog Can Drink Milk
In essence, it can be said that dogs can drink milk. It is not toxic to them, but it is not recommended due to intolerances. You can test whether your dog tolerates milk by giving small amounts, up to a maximum of one tablespoon per day. For smaller dogs, halve the portion. Keep in mind, however, that your dog may react with side effects during the test.
If you want to feed your dog milk products despite lactose intolerance, it’s better to opt for lactose-free products or products with a very low lactose content.
Products with low lactose content that are good for your dog:
- Cottage cheese provides plenty of protein, contains little fat, and has a low lactose content.
- Quark contains valuable sour milk bacteria and is proven to be a small change in the dog’s bowl – here, too, the lactose content is very low.
- Yogurt is also commonly added to dog food and also contains very little milk sugar.
- Buttermilk can be fed but has a significantly higher lactose content. Therefore, buttermilk should be given to the dog in very small amounts.
- Cheese – Almost all types naturally contain little lactose and can be given as a small snack for the dog.
- While cow’s milk is not recommended for dogs, there are plenty of alternative milk products for dogs, so they are not reliant on the ingredients of milk.
Milk Products Dogs Should Avoid
Apart from pure cow’s milk, there are other milk products or milk-like products that dogs should not eat or drink:
- Whole milk
- Condensed milk
- Sour cream
- Kefir
- Cat milk
- Baby formula
- Goat’s milk
- Buttermilk
- Plant-based alternatives like soy milk, almond milk, and others can trigger allergic reactions in dogs and might be better left untested.
Conclusion
The question of whether dogs can drink milk can be answered with a yes, but consumption usually comes with intolerances and digestive problems. Cheese, quark, and yogurt offer good alternatives with generally low lactose content.
