How do I know if cow’s milk is good for dogs? The only way is to give it a small amount, although the consequences can be serious. The most common of these is diarrhea, but sometimes it can even lead to edema, a rash, or vomiting. In either case, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Of course, we’ve all seen a lot of pictures of them enjoying a bowl of milk. But the truth is that not all dogs digest it properly, being allergic or lactose intolerant.
CONTENT:
- A few words about lactose
- Is it good for dogs?
- Can my dog drink cow milk?
- What about soy milk?
- Is goat milk good for dogs?
- There is another problem with this food
A few words about lactose
To be digested, lactose must be divided into two simple sugar formulas, namely: glucose and galactose. When lactose breaks down, it allows glucose and galactose to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Therefore, if your fur produces enough lactase in the intestines (lactase is a necessary enzyme that helps break down lactose), chances are you will tolerate milk and products derived from it.
If his body does not produce enough lactase, then the ingested lactose will not break down into the two compounds and will not be able to be digested and absorbed. When this happens, the dog is lactose intolerant.
When the dog’s body cannot tolerate milk and products derived from it, it will show the following:
- stomach upset,
- ballooning,
- diarrhea,
- vomiting.
Lactose intolerance is the main reason milk and many dairy products are on the list of foods that can be consumed but may present a moderate risk.
Is it good for dogs?
If a dog that consumes it does not show any of the above-listed manifestations, then he can consume milk without any problems. Milk is a very rich source of nutrients such as potassium, folic acid, and calcium, but also vitamins such as vitamin D and B12. But you need to know that he also gets these nutrients from his food, whether it is dry or moist. Veterinary nutritionists say moderation is key regarding that aliment.
Can my dog drink cow milk?
Cow’s milk is the most common type of aliment that humans consume, and therefore likely the most common among pets.
But is cow’s milk good for your dog? The answer is yes, but given in small quantities and quite rarely. If your dog is intolerant to it, then cow’s milk is not the best choice for him.
What about soy milk?
Soy milk is an alternative to cow’s or goat’s milk. What are the risks and benefits of administering soy milk to dogs? Soy milk contains proteins called isoflavones. Other proteins found in plants, including soy, are phytoestrogens (female estrogens). Tests have shown that soy protein helps reduce urinary incontinence. There are doctors who recommend the administration of isoflavone-based supplements. In general, dogs digest soy without problems, and soy milk can be given without problems, but not in large quantities.
Is goat milk good for dogs?
We talked about cow’s milk, but there are other types of milk on the market. Another common question is, “Can I give the dog goat’s milk?” Lately, the popularity of this type of milk has grown quite a lot as an alternative to cow’s milk. More and more owners are using this type of milk, believing that it is safer and healthier than cow’s milk. Is this true?
When these two types of milk are compared, goat’s milk comes out victorious because it has a higher amount of calcium and potassium, but has a lower amount of vitamin B12, folic acid, and lactose. Due to these structural differences, goat’s milk can also be consumed by lactose-intolerant dogs.
There is another problem with this food
I want to mention another very important thing about milk, but it has nothing to do with lactose, namely – fats. As you may know, many categories of milk and dairy products contain a very high percentage of fat. A high amount of fat can also cause stomach upset and often can lead to pancreatitis, a very serious condition that is often fatal. So, it is good to pay close attention to the fat content of the milk or dairy products that you want to give to your furry.
