When we think of animals drinking milk, we often think of cats. (Even though drinking milk can make adult cats sick!) But, what about dogs? Can dogs drink milk?
We answer this question below to make sure you keep your dog safe and in the best of health.
Can Dogs Drink Milk?
The short answer is that yes, dogs can drink milk every now and then. As long as it is done in moderation.
Watch Out For Lactose Intolerant Dogs
The more detailed answer is that not all dogs do well with milk. Plenty of dogs are lactose intolerant – just like humans. This means that drinking dairy products such as milk can cause intestinal upset.
This is why it is important to know if your dog could have an allergic reaction to milk or dairy products first, or if your dog is lactose intolerant. To be safe, it?s recommended to just try a small quantity of milk the first time your dog tries drinking it. Just a few tablespoons to start.
However, Go Easy On the Milk With Your Dogs
Even if your dog can tolerate milk, it’s still not advisable to give them an entire bowl in one sitting. Otherwise, this can cause problems including vomiting, diarrhea and loose stools.
Another potential issue with too much milk is that it is high in fat and natural sugars which can lead to other health problems such as obesity and pancreatitis.
If your dog is lactose intolerant and he accidentally drank milk, you will want to watch out for these symptoms:
- Loose stools
- Gas
- Abdominal Pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
The severity of symptoms vary from dog to dog. Some may show only mild symptoms while the others may be severe.
A Note About Pregnant Dogs
For pregnant dogs and dogs who are nursing puppies, there are pet-friendly milk products you can feed your lactating dogs to help them produce more milk. This can often be found at your local pet store.
Call Your Vet
As always, it is always a good idea to give your veterinarian a call before introducing new stuff to your dog’s diet. This can help you save a lot of worry and money in the future as well as help? ensure your dog’s health and safety.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Health or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
Please check out other articles in the series including: Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms?
