Is It Ok To Give Dogs Milk?

If you decide to give your dogs milk, you have to appreciate that you may be putting your beloved canine at some considerable risk. Many of us have heard of the sugar known as lactose that can be found in milk and other dairy products. This nutrient is formed when two different types of sugar molecule are combined together. Humans don’t have an issue in processing lactose because they are able to produce an enzyme called lactase, which splits the sugars found in milk for easy digestion.

Only some dogs have the ability to produce lactase. As a result, if you find that your dog is suffering from diarrhoea or flatulence, it’s likely that they are intolerant to lactose and unable to digest milk properly. To ensure that your beloved pet doesn’t become ill, you need to work hard to ensure that you don’t give them any products that include dairy produce.

It’s interesting to note that not all dairy products contain lactose. Whereas milk contains up to 11 grams of this sugar per serving, some types of cheese contain only a trace of lactose.

Unfortunately, we can be tempted to spoil our dogs rotten because of how much we love them. If they clearly enjoy the taste of milk but pay the price with unwanted side effects later, try offering them dairy products that have been specially produced without lactose. Alternatively, if this is not possible, limit the servings that your dog enjoys to special occasions to ensure that they don’t suffer from the side effects of lactose intolerance too often.

Don’t worry: There are ways to alleviate this common problem in dogs. All it takes is a bit of common sense and research to ensure that your pet has the best diet possible. They deserve it!

Source: www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-feeding-tips/dogs-milk-dairy-prod

I have a yellow lab and a walker hound.  Both of them stare at me until I finish my cereal because they know  what's in store for them!  Just the milk at the bottom of the bowl and a little cereal.  They both love it and look forward to their morning treat!!  No problems with their tummies.

Julie, VA

It is ok to give dogs milk occasionally, but not often.If you give a dog too much milk, he will become ill.If your dog really enjoys milk, you can give him it as a rare treat, but I think no more often then once or twice every few months.Milk is not good for dogs and does not give them nutrients.It is better to stick to water.

I only buy my milk from a local family dairy. Thank goodness for these farmers!  The milk comes from grass pasture grazing cows that are in a natural environment, they aren't fed antibiotics, hormones, additives, etc., and it's also minimally processed.  Not only can I drink milk again without any digestive problems, my dog absolutely loves it too!  She get a little bit every day, and she hasn't had any stomach problems or diarrhea.

I have four dogs, three of them being 3-4 years old (a Yorkie, Shih Tzu, and a Husky/German Shepherd mix) the other is a 14-15 year old Cockapoo. They all have 2% milk from our cereal in the morning and some when we have tea after dinner. They have never had problems with milk and we've given our past dogs the same amount, and nothing like diarrhea or such. Give it a shot with your dog, see how it likes it or tolerates it. It can be used as a great treat.

My uncle has a one month old pitbull and his dom wife is giving him milk I told thme they can't give him milk that we drink cause its bad for him ....I want to know if he keeps on giving him milk can't the puppy get real sick ???

Yes, as long as they are not wormy, otherwise  you are feeding the worms. A little milk replacement powder is good when they are young, after that it wont do much for them but make them fat. If you have a hard keeper maybe it will help. A little here and there will not hurt anything.

I don't know.  I started giving Maggie, a Lhasa also, born 03/13/99, less than 2 ounces of low fat milk a few days ago.  She was overweight and gaining when I put her on a low dry dog food only diet;  no more table scraps.  She was at thirty pounds and is now at twenty-eight pounds.  To curtail her appetite I gave her the milk.  She likes the milk and has not suffered any problem like diarrhea, and is as happy and playful as ever.  She is actually slender but looks fat because of the full growth of hair..

I think like people, no dogs are the same but a little trial and error will tell the story. Try giving her a small amount of milk and see what happens over the course of a few hours. 

If nothing is wrong, then you can increase the amount of milk you give your dog.

AH I'm so nervous now I gave my dog milk and he is old dang it. ): I'm so nervous

I have two labs ages 1and 2 yrs young.  They both look forward to drinking about 4 ounces of organic milk every morning.  They love it!  No problems, they are healthy.

Well it doesn't hurt them, but maybe goat milk or something other then cow milk

I let my dog drink the rest of my cereal milk and both are organic.  He drools while he is waiting for the milk in the morning.  Other than that there are no negative consequences that I can think of.

I give my dog a couple of ounces every morning for breakfast. He loves it and it hasnt seemed to bother him. I have a "wiener dog"

I give my dog low fat lactose free milk, and she loves it. I believe lactose is the main culprit of milk related diahrrea in dogs.

My parents have been giving my lhasa apso, Baso milk ocassionally and she seems to enjoy it (unfortunately, more so than water).  She hasn't had any symptoms of lactose intolerance....so far.  She  is her own self: Playful  and energetic.

I have a 3 month old pitbull, and I have been giving her milk as her treat for about a week and a half and ever since then, she has not been eating and she is getting very skinny. Also she seems to be a little weak. What does this mean? And what can I do to help her?

No it is not. Giving a dog milk will give it diarrhea.

It is OK occasionally but not very often as upsets their tummy's.

You shouldn't give them milk. It upsets their stomachs badly.

My dog really likes milk.

My dog loves milk. It doesn't give her diarrhea.

Yes but only a lil bit @ a time and weeks @ a time

No!

Yeah

I have a chihuahua pug mixed and I feed her table scraps that don't have onions or salt or margarine in it and I don't give her garlic. But I do feed her some fruits that I eat like strawberries and yogurt, watermelon and boiled chicken and brown rice and occasionally a baked potato with sour cream and green beans, and they say that I can feed her most anything and I also feed her brick cheese but only a little 1/2 ounce piece and she loves tomatoes both fresh and canned. I also scramble her eggs with veggies in it and she is about 2 years old and haven't had any problems with her, plus I have a terrior and poodle mix and she eats about the same as my other dog does.they both are very good in their weight and maintaining it very well. So am I doing right by looking up and doing research on what they can and can't have. And I have no problems with either of them.

I have been giving my Yorkie warm powder milk (skim milk powder mixed in warm water) he loves it!  I think powder milk is safer to use.

No they might get sick.

This site give you pretty much all the information you need to make a decision:  http://canigivemydog.com/milk

My vet has always said that yogurt is a good choice for dogs.

My dogs like both yogurt and cheese, the latter in limited amounts. Apparently they are not lactose intolerant.

Yes, I agree with Ann, although I wouldn't actually "recommend" it ... It is probably OK. Just remember - if your dog gets diarrhea YOU won't be happy ... :)  You can read more about dog's health at this <a href="www.petlandish.com">pet blog</a>

Hell yer

Yes but only if the dog is a puppy and if it's sick and old it will get sick

It depends on the dog my dog loves ice cream and milk but I and my husband use it as a treat

Well, it depends on the dog. My dog loves milk however older dogs may not stomach milk. It can give them stomach aches and diarrhea, unfortunately. :[

No it is not ok because it is a totally unnatural food for them but always supply clean water.

Jim's Cleaning, Jim's Pressure Cleaning and Jim's Window Cleaning 131 546

You can give dogs milk, but its best to stick with dog food and water.