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Can dogs have Milk?

can dogs have milkCaution

Overview

dog-food-safety-information

Yes. Dogs can drink milk in small amounts occasionally. Milk such as cow's milk contains nutrients that are necessary for bone development and a healthy metabolism. However, most dogs are lactose intolerant to varying degrees, meaning they can’t process lactose effectively due to the absence of lactase enzymes.

Benefits

health-benefits
  • Milk is high in calcium which promotes healthy bones and teeth. It's also a good source of protein and vitamin D, which are important nutrients for a dog's bone health.
  • Milk contains riboflavin and vitamin B12, which dogs need to maintain a healthy metabolism and blood health.

Risks

health-risks
  • As most dogs are lactose intolerant, milk is hard for them to digest. It could cause loose stools, diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, and flatulence.
  • Puppies can drink milk because they have the enzyme lactase that can digest milk from their mother. However, as the puppies grow, they lose the ability to digest milk effectively and may not tolerate cow's milk or milk from other sources.
  • Milk, especially full cream milk, is high in fat. Excessive consumption can lead to obesity and pancreatitis in dogs.
health-risks-dog

Servings

serving-suggestions
  • A few tablespoons of milk can be given occasionally to most dogs without causing any adverse effects.
  • Healthier alternatives to cow's milk are camel milk and goat milk.

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