Dogs are such a big part of the family that we get the urge to include them in everything, including our favourite food and drink.
While cow's milk is often more associated with cats, who actually shouldn't drink it, you might have wondered whether dogs can enjoy the popular beverage.
It turns out milk is one of those things that isn't toxic to dogs and something that they could theoretically have as a treat, but it can still make them unwell.
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“Milk contains a large amount of fat, natural sugars, and calories; it can lead to obesity, pancreatitis, and a variety of other problems if consumed in large amounts. It can also lead to gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence, and abdominal pain, even when drunk in moderate amounts,” vet Sandra C. Mitchell told Parade Pets.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) the most milk a dog should have is a few tablespoons on an occasional basis.
“But, you should probably hold off on offering your dog an entire bowl in one sitting, as it can cause unpleasant reactions, including diarrhoea, vomiting and loose stools,” wrote Anna Burke on the AKC website.
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Lactose intolerance is common in dogs though some that have a bad reaction to milk might still be able to enjoy some cheese or plain yoghurt as these are usually easier to digest.
The symptoms of lactose intolerance in dogs are diarrhoea, vomiting, bloating, increased flatulence and abdominal pain.
While we humans get a lot of calcium and protein from milk, for dogs these nutrients will come from a well-balanced diet.
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So really the only reason to give dogs milk would be as a rare treat, but before you give your pooch some milk ask your vet for advice.
Milk alternatives also aren't the best things to give your dog. Almond milk is high in fat and sugar and sometimes contains additives like xylitol, a sugar substitute, which is toxic for dogs.
Coconut milk, meanwhile has lots of nutrients beneficial to dogs but can also contain additives and sugar so you'd need to carefully check the ingredients list first and look for the most the most plain coconut milk.
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