Just like humans, cats can suffer from lactose intolerance. Not all dogs are completely lactose intolerant. Some dogs can tolerate very small amounts of lactose in milk but they can also develop an allergy to the milk protein which is a separate problem altogether.
This is why it is best you avoid feeding your dog dairy and stick to premium balanced dog food that is recommended by your veterinarian. The high-fat content can set off a painful and very serious condition in dogs called pancreatitis. It can also be easy to overfeed your pet if you choose to use cheese as a treat.
Did you know that a 30g piece of cheese is equivalent to one and a half hamburgers for a 10kg dog? Can Dogs Drink Milk? By Anna Burke Jul 23, 2 Minutes. Jul 23, 2 Minutes. Lactose Intolerance in Dogs Dairy products are a leading source of food intolerance in dogs, and many canines are lactose intolerant, which means they have difficulty digesting milk. How to Tell If Your Dog Is Lactose Intolerant Dogs can have varying degrees of lactose intolerance; some might experience only mild symptoms, while other cases may be more severe.
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Some dogs can't drink milk because the sugar content is very high, though they can tolerate other types of dairy such as cottage cheese perfectly fine due to its significantly lower lactose levels. Lactose intolerance is caused by undigested sugar molecules traveling through the gastrointestinal GI tract because they can't produce enough enzymes to break down the nutrients for absorption into the bloodstream. When it enters the colon, water is then drawn to the undigested sugar molecule, leading to a loss of water retention in the tissue walls, inflammation of the large intestine, and diarrhea consisting of loose, watery stool - a condition otherwise known as colitis in dogs.
The reason why puppies can drink milk, though many mature dogs cannot, is because puppies have an abundance of lactase enzymes that break down their mother's milk while nursing. Once they are weaned, their bodies will produce less of the enzyme to adjust to its new nutritional demands, at which point many dogs develop an intolerance. Puppies can drink milk strictly from their mother because it's full of antibodies and necessary nutrients for healthy development.
Cow's milk and other dairy sources can cause unpleasant effects on a puppy's delicate digestive system. But, what happens if a puppy is orphaned?
In circumstances where a safe alternative must be found in lieu of the mother's milk, commercial replacements are a better option than cow's milk for puppies. That's because milk from a dog is richer in calories and essential proteins, plus it's much easier for pups to digest than dairy sources. Be sure to consult your vet before choosing a suitable milk replacement for newborn puppies.
Pets can't tell us when they're not feeling well, so it's important to keep an eye on their behavior in order to recognize the clinical signs of illness, including adverse reactions to food.
The symptoms of lactose intolerance in dogs can range from mild to severe, and most often appear as:. Most of the time, pet parents don't knwow their dog can't drink milk until they obviously demonstrate the symptoms of lactose intolerance after consuming dairy.
However, some dogs only display a mild intolerance with less clear symptoms. A vet's diagnosis is the only way to know for certain whether your dog can drink milk without issue, but you may be able to recognize the signs if you notice any of these red flags:. In other cases, lactose intolerance may be confused with a dairy allergy in dogs , which refers to the inability to tolerate the proteins in milk and can be far more serious.
In addition to the symtoms above, dogs with dairy allergies might display signs such as:. If you notice any of these adverse reactions, call your vet immediately or head to a local animal hospital. It it may lead to anaphylactic shock, an emergency medical condition that's potentially fatal without expedient treatment.
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