Is milk bad for a dog?

Pros and Cons of feeding milk to a dog - 3393 Views

Is milk bad for a dog?
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I’m sure we have all heard from our veterinarians, family, and friends that milk is bad for a dog. The real answer is not quite as simple as a yes or no. Before giving your dog milk you need to educate yourself on all of the pros and cons.

Should I be concerned that my dog drank milk?

The answer is not necessarily no. Milk can cause your dog to have an upset stomach due to the lactose and high-fat content in the milk. Just like in humans this can cause bloating, cramping and discomfort. A large amount of fat in milk can make it harder and take longer to digest. It takes up to twenty-four hours to get completely through a humans digestive tract.

A dog’s digestive tract is much shorter! This means that it moves through the digestive tract quicker and does not get broken down as well as it would with a human. This is what causes the severe discomfort in dogs after drinking milk. The lactose in milk also knows a sugar, is part of what causes lactose intolerance. If your dog becomes lactose intolerant they may vomit after drinking milk.

Because whole milk has the most vitamins and nutrients it can be beneficial to your dog’s health. Whole milk has vitamin K, Vitamin E, Vitamin D and calcium which are all beneficial to your dog’s health. However, if you plan to use whole milk you should consider soaking their dog food in a small amount of milk or make homemade dogs treats that contain milk.

Are other types of milk bad for my dog?

lactose-free milk: You can give your dog lactose-free milk. However, lactose-free milk or fat-free milk of any form does not hold the same nutrients as whole milk. Whole milk or vitamin D milk has the most vitamins, nutrients, and minerals of any milk making it a healthier choice. With lactose-free milk and fat-free milk, your dog may not receive all nutrients from the little treat, but it’s a much better choice than a natural milk.

Is milk bad for a dog - Esbilac lactose free milk

 

A complete food source for orphaned or rejected puppies or that nursing, but needing supplemental feeding. Also recommended for growing puppies or adult dogs that are stressed and require a source of highly digestible nutrients.

Goat’s milk: It is also known that there are other types of milk available. Goat’s milk is one option that people with a more healthy living style have become fonder of. So is goat’s milk bad for your dog? Goat’s milk has a much smaller amount of lactose and fat, making it easier to digest. Goat’s milk also has more calcium and we all know calcium is essential to bone health.

Is milk bad for a dog - PetAg-Goats-Milk-Esbilac-Powder

Best Goat’s milk in the market made with a formula for puppies with sensitive digestive systems. All the ingredients are natural. You will find no preservatives in this milk powder. Also recommended for growing puppies or adult dogs that are stressed and require a source of highly digestible nutrients.

Think safety first

Now, look at the pros and cons of the different milk types. Whole milk may be harder to digest due to the high-fat content and lactose in the milk. Aside from that, whole milk has a great nutritional value from the vitamins and minerals including calcium. This can provide your dog with bone health along with added vitamins and other nutritional benefits in their diet.

Compared to other types of milk, goat’s milk appears to have more benefits with the lower fat and lactose content and higher calcium. However, if you choose goat’s milk you will need to ensure the goat’s milk is pasteurized by a trustworthy source. Your other option is to pasteurize it yourself on the stove top. Raw milk of any kind carries the risk of having dangerous bacteria in it. This bacteria can be harmful to your dog!

Lactose-free milk has it’s good points as well such as being lactose-free. This will make it much easier for your dog to digest. With the added benefit of no cramping, no bloating just an easy digestive process. However, Lactose-free milk does not provide nutrients to your dogs’ health because it lacks some nutrients from being lactose-free. If you are looking to simply give your dog a tasty treat this may be the way to go. If you are looking to provide your dog with a dietary supplement this may not be the best choice.

Too much of a good thing can also be bad. Even with something as healthy as goats milk. You should remember to keep the amount of milk of any kind in small proportions and consider it as a dietary supplement and not a meal. The intake of too much milk can cause diarrhea. This can cause inflammation of the colon and can potentially lead to other health problems such as dehydration. If you decide to give your dog whole milk or vitamin D milk you should keep the proportion much smaller to avoid the discomfort of bloating and cramping. When choosing the type of milk to give your dog you should make the decision you feel is best for your dog’s health and happiness.

So to answer the question is milk bad for a dog’s health, the answer is, it depends on what type of milk you are considering giving to your dog and how much you are planning on giving to your dog.

 

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