Can Dogs Drink Milk? Is Milk Good for Dogs?
It’s without a doubt that dogs love dairy products, leading to several instances dog owners would want to give their dogs some milk. However, with several notions that dictate milk is not conducive for dogs to intake, many may be left with indecisive actions to take. This leads to a common question being asked – whether or not milk is good for dogs to drink. On this note, this article is targeted at deciphering all the factors involved in the intake of milk for dogs. This will also generally help all dog owners to actively plan out the best nutritional diet when it comes to feeding their dogs milk.
Processed Involved in Obtaining Milk
It is essential to properly understand the processes which milk undergoes, as this will help to facilitate the claims of whether milk is safe for dogs to drink, or not. Milk can be gotten from a variety of sources, however, the end result solely depends on the processes the milk undergoes. There are a lot of technological advancements that help to make the production and end results of milk safe and healthy for intake. This milk could either be gotten from a cow or from goats and after the extraction process is undergone, they are taken through several processes to deliver healthy jars of milk.
They are pasteurized, where intense heat is used to kill harmful microorganisms, as well as being homogenized, which is an adequate separation method of the cream which rises. There are also a lot of other processes, which many manufacturers may decide to allow the milk undergo; but in general, the major aim of these processes, are undisputed to ensure that the milk produced is suitable for all to drink.
Health Benefits of Milk
There are indeed a lot of health benefits involved in the intake of milk, as they possess essential building block compounds. Milk identifiably features calcium, which helps in the building of bones, and helps to maintain strong teeth. There is also the presence of a tremendous amount of protein, which helps to build up and repair damaged tissue. Milk also has a lot of minerals, as well as the presence of vitamins. These include vitamin A and D, alongside Vitamin B12, and potassium. In general, milk itself is a great source of vitality, which makes it a highly nutritional drink for many to drink.
Cow/Goat’s Milk vs Milk for Dogs
When asked, ‘Can dogs drink milk?’ it is important to note that dogs truly can drink milk. As a matter of fact, dogs were fed milk as puppies, and they were able to adapt to it quite well. Another thing to realize is that although dogs were fed milk as puppies, there is a difference between the milk generated from dogs, and the ones gotten from either cows or goats.
Dogs, in general, from birth, have enzymes that help them to properly digest the milk being fed to them when they are puppies. Ideally, this may not be the case when it comes to other animal’s milk. It may or may not be very easy to digest, which could spur up certain inconveniences in your dog. It is important to also keep in mind that this does not apply to all dogs, but subtly explains a section on the deliberation of whether or not milk is good for dogs.
Is Milk Good For Dogs?
Despite all the healthy nutritional factors and the processes milk undergoes, to ensure it is healthy for intake, the question, ‘Can my dog drink milk?’ simply depends on the dog itself. It is important to note that while all dogs may be thrilled with the thought of taking milk, not all dogs indeed can take milk. That is to say, the intake of milk may be favorable to some, while others are undoubtedly lactose intolerant. Hence, in order to properly answer the question of, ‘Is milk good for puppies?’ the following have to be put into practical consideration:
- Moderation is key
Despite knowing whether your dog is lactose intolerant, or not when deciding to give your dog some milk, it is highly essential to do so in moderation. This process needs to be adapted because there are a lot of components in milk, which when taken in excess, could lead to nausea, alongside a lot of other conditions. Despite the heath benefits that milk offers, it is essential to realize it also contains a lot of fatty compounds and high amounts of sugar. Since dogs generally love dairy products and would want to take as much as provided, it is up to the owner to ensure small quantities are always delivered nonetheless.
- Checking for lactose intolerance
For dogs that don’t display the symptoms of being lactose intolerant, it may be hard to tell on the subject of taking milk safely. A dog owner may not know if milk is good for their dog unless they actually try it. It is also important to understand that some dogs could only be lactose intolerant to milk, and great with other dairy products. In order to be able to settle this question, on whether or not giving milk to your dog is good, there would have to be a checking process, to know if your dog is lactose intolerant or not. Hence, the need for milk to be given in such a situation, in a small quantity. When doing this, adequate supervision is demanded. If there is any display of nausea, or diarrhea, or any strange conditions that spur up, then this is a clear indication that your dog might indeed be lactose intolerant.
- Consult a veterinarian
It is advised to consult your veterinarian before undergoing new processes with your dog. Whether or not your dog is lactose intolerant, it is essential to refer to your veterinarian on any selection of milk you decide to use. It is also important to report back on any signs and symptoms that dogs display when given milk, as this will become a major determining factor on whether or not milk will be good for your dog.
Sources:
- Can Dogs Drink Breast Milk? – Wag Walking
- Should I Give Milk to a Dog Nursing Puppies? – Cuteness
- The Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Milk – Whole Dog Journal
