Can your dog eat dairy products? Be careful!

Humans are often criticised for being the only species that will voluntarily drink milk after rearing, and that of other animals. But what about dogs?

Like humans, dogs can be sensitive to different components of milk, such as sugar, fat or protein. One of the most common forms of intolerance is lactose intolerance. To process the sugar in milk, lactose, we need the enzyme lactase. Dogs are no different from humans in this respect. Both babies and puppies produce relatively high levels of this digestive enzyme in the intestinal tract, but levels decline steadily with age.

Almost three quarters of people are lactase deficient, which is why lactose intolerance has become a widespread disease. In addition, milk protein allergy can also cause complaints.

How do I know if my dog is sensitive to dairy products?

It is important to distinguish sensitivity from allergies. While lactose intolerance refers to the discomfort, digestive complaints and malabsorption resulting from an enzyme deficiency, the term milk allergy refers to an acute immune response to milk protein. Dogs with a history of milk sensitivity are more likely to become allergic. Allergens are characterised by the fact that they do not necessarily cause complaints after the first consumption, but when the immune system has had enough and decides that it can no longer tolerate the food. Moreover, the reaction is not always immediate, and symptoms may not appear for hours or even days, and may even become life-threatening. Let’s see which symptoms are indicative of allergy and which of sensitivity!

Symptoms of lactose intolerance

• abdominal pain;
• bloating;
• diarrhoea;
• vomiting;
• weakness;
• increased thirst;
• dehydration;
• weight loss.

Symptoms of milk allergy

• itching, scratching, biting the skin;
• redness, swelling, dryness of the skin;
• patchy hair loss;
• diarrhoea or constipation, increased bowel gas;
• vomiting;
• skin and/or ear infections;
• anaphylactic shock.

In case of any unusual symptom, the animal should be taken to a doctor immediately, as an anaphylactic shock could kill it within a short time.

What dairy products can I give my dog?

Milk is not an essential food for your dog; it can get the nutrients it needs from meat and other complementary foods such as vegetables and grains. If you do want to try it with your pet, start with natural foods that are free of additives, added sugars, sweeteners that are toxic to your dog and are relatively low in lactose. Examples include cheese, live-flavoured yoghurt, kefir, butter and sour cream, but it’s even better to choose lactose-free products. You can also experiment with plant milks, which most dogs digest and like, but be careful with soya, which is another potential allergen for your pet.