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Are Dairy and Milk Products Bad for Dogs

Can dogs have milk? Can dogs have ice cream? Is yogurt okay to feed to a dog? Can dogs have cheese? Are dogs lactose intolerant? Many cat owners know that cats should not have milk, but is it okay to give milk or other dairy products to dogs? Can my puppy have milk? Why should you not give milk to dogs?

Most cat owners know that milk is bad for cats, but is milk bad for dogs? Can dogs have milk or other dairy products? Many people have been giving cheese to their canine companion for years, should they be worried?

Many dogs are lactose intolerant. As puppies they can digest it but as they get older they cannot, additionally dog's milk contains slightly less lactose (3.1%) than cow's milk, which contains 4 to 5%. By the time they are weaned puppies have lose lactase, the enzyme required to break down and digest lactose. For some dogs this can cause diarrhea, for others, bloating, stomach cramps, or even gas. Owners of dogs that are outside a lot might not even notice the dog has any pains or problems at all and may think the dog is fine.

It should be noted that different dairy items contain different amounts of lactose, with milk containing about twice as much as yogurt.

For some dogs the problem is not with the lactose at all, but another component of milk known as casein. Casein can cause problems in the form of an allergic reaction. Dogs that are allergic to casein may develop itchy areas known as hot spots.

Another concern with giving a dog dairy products is that if they are having stomach issues as a result of the dairy product, they may not feel like eating their proper food.

Some orange cheeses use color dyes, red, or yellow, that have been linked to causing behavior problems in some dogs.

Ice cream raises additional concerns. Chocolate flavoring in lower quality ice cream is not too much of a concern but chocolate chips in good quality ice cream could cause problems for dogs. While dairy is not toxic to dogs, some chocolate is. Macadamia nuts, and a few other ingredients that may be found in flavored ice cream, can also be a problem for a dog. As such if ice cream is to be given to a dog, it should only be a small amount and should be plain vanilla.

If you want to give your dog dairy products be sure to introduce them slowly and watch your dog for signs of tummy discomfort afterwards. A few bites of cheese, or a drink of milk, will not kill your dog, but they won't really offer any benefit if they make it feel poorly, so you might want to find a different treat altogether.

See a list of other people foods that are bad for dogs.

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Comments (4)

Wow, I didn't know milk products could cause so much discomfort to dogs. Thank you for the information. Tweeted and Google Buzzed

Milk is an easy food to give and this article is enlightening and important for pet lovers.

Ranked #8 in Dogs

Thank you for your wisdom shared here.

very useful information!

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