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- Is giving milk to a puppy bad?
- So, can a dog drink milk or not?
- Type of milk for puppy dog
- Care when giving milk to a dog
It's normal for you to believe that cow's milk is good for your dog because, in theory, it also has many benefits for humans. Everyone knows that milk for newborn dogs is essential for nutrition and, when there are cases where natural breastfeeding is not possible, it is necessary to look for alternatives. The problem arises when cow's milk is selected to try to resolve this situation.
Cow's milk is the type of milk most consumed by humans and the most common on the market. In addition, dogs love milk in all formats, liquid, ice cream or yogurt. But should you or can you give milk to dogs and especially puppies?
In this article by PeritoAnimal, we will help you understand if can give milk to baby dog.
Is giving milk to a puppy bad?
As we always hear that milk is good for children, we end up thinking that it will be equally good to give milk to puppies and their puppies. The truth is that milk is a source of energy and nutrients such as proteins and calcium and vitamins such as vitamin D and B12, which are very important for the correct functioning of the body. Although it provides numerous benefits, milk consumption is quite controversial for both humans and dogs, since it has a lot of sugar and fats that can be harmful to humans and animals.
All the nutrients your friend needs can be acquired through a balanced diet without the consumption of milk and dairy products. Adult dogs should drink plenty of water and milk should not replace it. In fact, if the dog is not intolerant to milk, this food should be seen as a snack, just like cookies, and always offered in moderation.
So, can a dog drink milk or not?
The answer is a bit complex. They can drink milk yes, but preferably not. And if they do, it must be breast milk or a breast substitute advised by your veterinarian.
Most dogs, like humans, are intolerant to lactose, a sugar present in milk, that is, they are unable to digest milk or its derivatives due to the absence of an enzyme that degrades lactose (lactase), causing reactions and gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence and abdominal discomfort.
The fact that most are intolerant does not mean that milk is bad for all dogs. It does mean that the probability of your puppy digesting milk poorly is high and, in more serious cases, it can even be lethal due to the loss of electrolytes and water in the diarrhea.
Yet, can you give milk to puppy? Can you give skimmed milk to puppy? Can you feed a puppy with milk? Can you give milk from a carton to a puppy? In the next topic we will answer all your questions, as it depends on the type of milk we are talking about.
Type of milk for puppy dog
When it comes to a situation of orphan puppies, rejected by the mother or when the dog has problems with milk production and you are wondering how to feed a newborn dog, what is needed is milk suitable for the species and age of the puppies.
Weaning usually takes place between 4 and 6 weeks of age, during which a gradual transition to feed should be made, as directed by the veterinarian. He may suggest that you mix some feed with the milk to soften the feed, gradually reducing the amounts of milk and increasing the amounts in the feed.
There are different types of milk and each species has constituents and nutrient percentages suitable for the species itself. A calf has very different needs from a puppy or a kitten, and therefore only the dog breast milk or of substitution are indicated for puppies.
So, the answer to the question “Can givecow's milk for puppy?” é NOT, without any kind of doubt.
While an adult can be intolerant and have gastrointestinal upset, puppies have a very weak stomach and will have a hard time digesting milk from a species as different as a cow, which can cause very serious problems and even death.
It's no use mixing cow's milk with water, as is commonly thought, because it will only dilute all the ingredients and the few will lose the right amounts that were important. Even cow's milk powder (from a box) with added water or skimmed cow's milk are not suitable for these animals.
As for adult dogs, like us, don't need milk in your regular diet, but if you want to offer milk to your pet and you don't know whether or not he is lactose intolerant, try offering a small amount. If any of the symptoms described above appear, it is very likely that your dog is intolerant and you should not offer this type of food again.
There are some studies on milks of vegetable origin such as soy and almonds, but little is known about the effect on dogs. However, small amounts may be offered, as long as the tutor checks the reaction to them.
For all these reasons, it is important that you check with your trusted veterinarian that the milk you want to use is ideal and how it should be offered. This is the only way to guarantee the health and well-being of your animal.
Care when giving milk to a dog
As we mentioned earlier, can't give milk to puppy dog. However, in some cases, adult puppies tolerate and may even like milk. So, see some indications for offering dog milk:
- Never give puppies cow or goat milk;
- Never give expired milk;
- Pay attention to the temperature of the milk for the puppies;
- If you want to give your adult dog milk for the first time, start with small portions and be aware of possible reactions;
- Even if the dog is not intolerant, you should provide milk in small amounts;
- Do not substitute milk for the feed (it is not a complete food);
- Do not substitute milk for water;
- Ask your veterinarian for all your questions and find out what is the best type of milk for your puppy or puppy.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can you give milk to a puppy?, we recommend that you enter our Balanced Diets section.