Our Dogs World 101

My Dog Loves Milk – Is Milk Good For Dogs?

We all know that dogs are adorable, but did you know they also love milk?

I have a dog who loves to drink milk from my cereal bowl in the morning. As soon as she sees me pouring some cereal into my bowl, she starts jumping up and down.

When I see her cravings, it is impossible for me not to give her milk. I usually pour a little into her bowl so she can drink along with me.

There are different opinions that I have gotten when people heard that my dog loves to drink milk.

Here in this article, I will try to explain to you what the pros and cons of feeding your puppy or dog milk are.

Dog drinking milk from a saucer

Why Does My Dog Love Milk?

Your dog loves to drink milk because it’s nutritious, tasty, and good for their bones.

Dogs are carnivores, so they need protein which is found in meat but also vitamins like vitamin D that can be found in dairy products.

Milk has calcium, too, which helps with the health of your dog’s teeth and bone mass overall.

But the answer to why dogs love milk is that they find it tasty, that’s why!

Puppy drinking milk from a babies bottle

What Happens If A Dog Drinks Milk?

If a dog drinks milk, he might become ill because the lactose in milk is difficult to digest.

Dogs cannot digest lactose, the sugar found in cow’s milk that is broken down by an enzyme called lactase which humans usually produce at birth and for a few years after weaning.

A dog will get sick if he drinks too much milk.

Milk is not suitable for dogs because their digestive systems do not process them well, leading to diarrhea, gas (flatulence), or tummy upset.

Dogs can digest some amount of milk, but a large amount of milk can cause different problems.

While I will go into detail below on why or why not human mild is good for dogs, I have also just done a review on a powdered goat’s milk formula you may prefer to give your dog from PetAg.

Why Is Milk Good For Dogs?

Milk is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and potassium for dogs.

Milk helps to keep bones strong while also providing the energy they need every day.

But milk is not the right way to get all these nutrients. This is because milk contains a high amount of sugar.

If we look at the composition of milk, it seems like a perfect diet for dogs.

A good dog diet consists of 30% protein, 30 % fat, and 40 % carbohydrates, and milk has an almost similar ratio to this 30 % protein, 30 % fat, and 45 % sugar.

But the problem is that the carbohydrates present in milk are in the form of sugar that is not good for dogs.

Dogs love raw milk! It’s great for them in so many ways.

Raw milk that is organically grown, unhomogenized, unpasteurized, and straight from a goat or a cow is also suitable for dogs.

This is an exciting fact about raw milk that many people believe feeding raw milk to your dog will cause disease in the body, but this has not been proven true so far.

There are many reasons why raw milk is not allowed to be sold in the market.

Raw milk can contain harmful bacteria, parasites, and chemicals that may cause serious health problems for humans when they consume it without any process at all.

In addition, there have been instances of food borne illness outbreaks from drinking unpasteurized dairy products.

But The Case Is Not The Same With Dogs.

Raw milk has numerous benefits for our canine friends.

In particular, it contains bacteria and enzymes which can help aid digestion in many ways.

But nowadays the milk we find in the market is pasteurized.

Milk is subject to pasteurization, a process by which harmful microorganisms are killed off.

The milk must be heated to at least 161 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds or at 145 degrees for 30 minutes to kill the bacteria that cause diseases like listeriosis and salmonellosis.

But both of these processes kill a lot of bacteria, yeast, and molds.

Another process is ultra-pasteurized milk is the latest innovation in dairy processing.

What Is UHT?

Ultra-high temperature (UHT) treatment of fresh whole or skimmed milk was first introduced to reduce microbial load and extend shelf life.

The UHSTP process includes heating at 280° C for two seconds followed by rapid cooling, ensuring that pathogens are killed while maintaining product quality attributes such as taste, flavor, color, etc., without affecting its nutritional value.

But all of these procedures kill a good number of enzymes, bacteria, and proteins and also give a cooked taste to the milk.

The pasteurization process destroys some essential enzymes, such as the catalase enzyme.

Thus, it affects cows’ milk’s flavor and nutritional value because enzymatic reactions will be inactive after heating treatment.

Similarly, the homogenization process of milk is harmful to our dog health as it creates many adverse effects.

It makes the fat particles remain blended with other components in the milk, resulting in poor digestion and gut problems, such as gas formation, which causes bloating, etc.

This can have severe implications on their gut bacteria too.

The homogenization process changes the facial structure of milk molecules that can also be dangerous, resulting in heart diseases later down in life due to increased cholesterol levels linked directly with the consumption rate of homogenized milk.

The fact that some states sell raw milk suitable for dogs may surprise many, but it’s true.

Puppy drinking milk from a baby bottle

Why Is Human Milk Bad For Dogs?

There are several reasons why human milk is bad for dogs.

First, it lacks the proper nutrients that puppies need to grow healthy and strong such as protein and calcium.

Second, when you add in all those extra ingredients like sugars found naturally in breast milk or other additives from the formula, it can lead to serious intestinal problems later down the road when they’re older.

It is because their bodies are not equipped with enough immune systems and digestive systems against them.

Finally, reports suggest that canine lactose intolerance may be related somehow to genetics, which means what might work fine for one dog could make another sick if given more than a small amount.

This may be surprising, but there are no benefits of human milk for dogs and you really are better off giving a dog/puppy specific milk.

Drinking human milk is a negative experience for pets. Human babies consume it to get nutrients from the milk, but dogs can suffer from diarrhea and vomiting if they ingest their food.

If your dog drinks breast milk or formula instead of water, he may develop dehydration due to their high salt content, making him dehydrated because his body cannot retain enough fluid.

For this condition to not happen again, you need to break it down into small amounts more frequently than giving large volumes at once.

If your dog drinks human milk, symptoms may include severe diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy. Dehydration is also likely to occur, which can lead to death if not treated immediately.

When your dog drinks human milk, you should monitor them closely. If they are acting lethargic or seems more tired than usual, it could be a sign of illness, and we recommend taking them to the vet immediately.

A jug and glass of milk on a yellow and orange towel in front of some sun flowers

Which Is Better: Warm or Cold Milk For Dogs?

Many people are asking which is better for dogs, warm milk or cold milk?

It’s important to remember that these two can be dangerous when given incorrectly.

While most pet owners want the best for their pets and will do anything in order to help them feel more comfortable, that’s why they ask for warm or cold milk.

Warm milk is not suitable for your dogs. It can even be harmful to them because it may have dangerous bacteria if ingested by a dog with a weaker immune system, or especially one whose body isn’t used to the organisms in it.

Similarly, cold milk is not good either because it can disturb your dog’s digestive system.

When Can You Feed Milk To Your Dogs?

“When Can Dogs Drink Milk?.

Well, that’s a good question. Unfortunately, many people just assume they should give their dog cow’s milk whenever it pleases them or when the dog is thirsty.

However, this may not be true for every situation, and there are some things you need to know first before giving your doggy some tasty dairy treats.

When the mother gives birth, her milk is waiting for them to drink it.

The puppies are born with all their essential organs and the digestive system fully developed except their teeth which continue growing until they reach adulthood at about one year old.

When a puppy drinks their first meal from mom, they swallow special enzymes that will help break down proteins in breast milk called “pancreatic enzymes..

These pancreatic enzymes also provide extra calories since this energy-rich food does not need additional digestion during its initial stages. These nutrients are already broken down into small pieces making them easy to absorb.

Puppies are unable to digest milk in adult age because their bodies change on the cellular level. These changes result in a less efficient digestive system, which is why they cannot drink milk like puppies.

Puppies are unable to digest milk from other animals, including humans. Mother’s milk is extremely important for their development process and provides them with the necessary proteins they need in order to grow properly.

A black labrador licking his chops with a bowl of milk

How Much Milk Can You Give Your Dog?

Dog owners always wonder how much milk is safe for their dogs to drink.

The simple answer is that it depends on the dog’s size and weight, but there are also several other factors you should keep in mind when deciding whether your canine friend can benefit from a glass of dairy goodness.

For most adult dogs, one small bowl (4 ounces) per day shouldn’t cause any problems if they don’t have lactose intolerance, so go ahead and give your pup some whole milk with his kibble.

However, smaller breeds like Chihuahuas may be unable to digest all the sugar found in cow’s milk, leading them down an unfortunate path toward diarrhea.

What Causes Lactose Intolerence In Dogs?

There are a few reasons that dogs can become lactose intolerant, just as humans do. In some cases, it’s genetic and runs in the family or breed.

Another reason is that dogs lack the enzyme that helps them break down one of its sugars: lactase. This results in diarrhea and an upset stomach after consuming even small amounts of such food items.

However, more often than not, an injury to their bodies causes damage to the small intestine, causing them problems digesting things like dairy products which contain high amounts of lactose sugar.

It is crucial for owners who notice these symptoms with their pets to consult a vet before feeding any dog food containing milk-based ingredients such as cheese or yogurt.

Since this can worsen your pet’s condition if they have been diagnosed with severe intolerance issues.

What Kind Of Milk Can Dogs Have?

While there are a lot of different types of milk that people can have, dogs only really get to choose between dairy and non-dairy.

There are other types of milk like oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, but can dogs drink these types of milk.

Can You Feed Almond Milk To Your Dog?

Can dogs drink almond milk? Dogs can technically eat and drink anything, but it’s probably not the best idea for them to have any of these items.

Almond milk is no exception. While it is true that almonds are toxic to dogs, almond milk isn’t.

However, there’s no need for your dog to drink any of this tasty treat if you’re not consuming it yourself.

But if you want to feed your dog almond milk, you can only provide a tablespoon or two.

When buying almond milk, always look for the ingredient list because if there is an artificial sweetener like xylitol is present in it further causes many problems.

Pouring milk over almonds

Can You Feed Oat Milk To Your Dog?

Will your dog be able to digest oat milk?

Dogs are biologically different from humans, so it would make sense that you might not know if they can eat some of the same foods.

There is a good chance that dogs cannot process oats because their digestive systems work differently from ours and have evolved with other types of food in mind.

With this being said, there isn’t enough scientific research on how well dogs can tolerate oat milk.

But oat milk is a nutritionally dense, dog-friendly alternative to traditional dairy milk.

It’s also easy to make at home with just oats and water. If your dog is lactose intolerant, you can feed him a small quantity of oat milk because it will be harmful to dogs to drink oat milk in large amounts.

Can You Feed Coconut Milk To Your Dog?

Coconut is a fruit that can be found in warm, tropical locations.

This milk comes from the pulp of specific coconuts and contains high levels of fat and proteins, and other beneficial nutrients such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, among other things.

This milk is a safer option for your dogs if they are lactose intolerant.

However, it should be fed in moderation. There are many benefits of coconut milk; it is beneficial to dogs because it contains fatty acids, lauric acid, and omega-6, which are essential for healthy skin.

It can also help with digestion problems in the stomach of your dog.

Coconut broken in half beside a bottle of milk

Can You Feed Goat Milk To Your Dog?

Yes, you can.

It is safe for them to do so as long as it does not upset their stomachs like cow’s milk would, because goats’ and cows’ milk are both produced by mammals that have similar digestive systems.

This makes drinking one or the other okay but doing both could cause problems.

This milk milk has a slightly different composition than cow’s milk.

Goat milk is richer in potassium and calcium but less in other nutrients like vitamin B12 and folic acid.

This milk milk also contains less lactose compared to cow’s milk, making it a bit safer.

If you want to feed your dog goat’s milk, start from the safer side by giving them a small amount of goat’s milk and then watch how they react.

Conclusion To Can A Dog Drink Milk?

The answer to the question, “Can a dog drink milk?. depends on who you ask.

Some people will say that no, they cannot because it is not suitable for them, while others claim that they can in small amounts.

On average, most dogs can digest lactose, but their bodies do not produce enough of the enzyme (lactase) needed to break down the sugars into smaller pieces and make it easier to be absorbed by their system.

If a dog consumes too much milk, they may have some gastrointestinal distress such as diarrhea or vomiting, which means that milk should only be given sparingly when mixed with water or food products like yogurt, where there’s less sugar content per ounce than regular milk.

If you have any questions please leave them in the comment section below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

As always, “May Your Home Be Filled With Love And Dog Hair”

Mark

Founder of Our Dogs World 101

8 thoughts on “My Dog Loves Milk – Is Milk Good For Dogs?”

  1. I have this same case. My dog can’t see I am poring milk because he gets all excited about it. So, knowing that it’s a good source of proteins for them is quite a relief. I had not researched this. I never take raw milk myself. So it will be difficult for my dog to have access to raw milk. However I will watch out on this.

    Reply
  2. So milk can help all animals bones if they drink milk? This is pretty cool, their bones are much stronger and maybe live a longer life. Since I know this now, when I get my own dog I will definitely give it milk. Who doesn’t want to to see their dog all happy and jumping around it’s the most adorable thing in the world.

    Reply
  3. This is such a great article as I have always looked for advice on what kinds of milk is good for our dogs and whats not.

    You have given me all the answers in one article.

    Thanks

    Steve

    Reply
  4. Hi Steve,

    I am glad you found our article useful and always keep in mind that even though milk can be good for dogs it should only ever be given in small amounts.

    Mark

    Reply
  5. This is really valuable knowledge. I didn’t know that dogs actually like drinking milks. However, I’m afraid I won’t test giving milk to my buddies since it seems there are so many restrictions when giving milk to dogs. However, I’m curious. Is there any milk brand that is marketed toward dogs? Thanks in advance for your answer. 

    Reply
    • Hi Alex,

      My two dogs love milk and I have recently been trialing a dog/puppy specific milk by Pet Ag. It is a powdered goats milk formula with all the stuff in it.

      I highly recommend this for any dogs that love milk, and will have a review out on this in a couple of days if you would like to check it out.

      Mark

      Reply
  6. This article truly surprised me! I never give my Olivia milk because, one, I myself don’t drink milk and two because I feel like it might be bad for her digestive system. Though, I started taking almond milk with my cereal because it does taste better and it’s better for my health according to my doctor. I have given a few sips of it to Olivia and at first she wasn’t sure but afterwards she really liked it. I only have her almond milk twice because I don’t want her to become dependent on this, but it’s so relieving to read more information about milk and the effects it may have in our fur babies. 

    Reply

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