Can Dogs Drink Milk Safely? What Are the Dangers?

Written by Kristin Hitchcock
Updated: February 6, 2023
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Has your dog accidentally ingested some milk, or are you thinking of adding it to their food as a treat? You might wonder if it’s safe for them or if you must take them to the vet. Like most other animals (think about cats, for instance), dogs can drink milk in moderation, as long as they aren’t lactose intolerant. Milk can be a perfect treat as it can be an excellent source of calcium, vitamin D, and potassium. Just be sure to use it as an occasional treat and nothing more.

Dog drinking from owner's cup

Milk can be used as an occasional treat for your dog.

©BublikHaus/Shutterstock.com

How Much Milk Should I Give My Dog?

Generally, a few tablespoons of milk added to your dog’s food or drink is a good amount. Giving them an entire bowl of milk can be dangerous as it can cause adverse effects such as upset stomach, vomiting, loose stool, and diarrhea.

What If My Dog Drinks Too Much?

It’s not life-threatening if you’ve found out that your dog has had way too much milk. However, some of the consequences can be harmful and may require a vet visit. 

In fact, milk goes partially undigested through your dog’s digestive system, entailing more liquid into the intestines and causing diarrhea. At the same time, this upsets your dog’s stomach, leading to painful stomach aches and, possibly, vomiting. Generally, diarrhea and vomiting, if they occur at all, should be gone within 12 hours. However, if the symptoms last longer than that, or your dog is in pain for more than a day, a vet visit may be in order.

In the worst-case scenario, too much high-fat milk can cause pancreatitis, which is a severe illness. If your dog experiences all the symptoms described above in a reasonably short time, or multiple at once, including loss of appetite, dehydration, weakness, and fever, pancreatitis could be on the table. In that case, it’s time for an emergency call to the vet, as pancreatitis could be life-threatening.

spay a dog at petsmart

If your dog shows severe symptoms after having milk, a visit to the vet may be in order.

©Prystai/Shutterstock.com

Signs Of Milk Allergy In Dogs

If your dog had just a small amount of milk but they feel sick, it is also possible that they have a dairy allergy. This can be dangerous and life-threatening. Most dogs are lactose intolerant, at least due to their weaning from milk. Some signs that your dog may be extremely lactose intolerant or allergic to milk can be:

If your dog shows these symptoms, and they either get severe or last longer than 12 hours, it’s time to take them to the vet. It’s best not to ignore these symptoms as they can cause long-lasting problems in your dog’s intestinal tract and digestive system. Then, if nothing’s wrong, it’s better than if something was wrong and you didn’t go. 

What About Other Dairy Products?

Other dairy products can provide your dog with calcium, vitamin D, and potassium without being as risky as milk.

Some yogurts, such as greek yogurt, don’t contain as much lactose as milk, making it much safer for your furry friend. It’s very nutritious for your dog in moderation, making it the perfect contender for lick mats or their food bowl if kept less than a few tablespoons. 

Cheese can be used as a great, high-tier treat for your dog. Again, it can be bad in large amounts because of its high-fat content, and it’s not as healthy as yogurt, but it can still be used as a treat.

Ice cream, on the other hand, is extremely high in sugar and fat, which can cause obesity and many other problems. If your dog begs for a bite of your ice cream, it’s best to avoid giving it to them and opt for a safer alternative.

What Liquids Can I Use Other Than Water for my Dog?

There are many replacements for water when it comes to your dog, without having to resort to milk. Adding hydration is a perfect way to elevate your dog’s dry food. Multiple liquids are perfect for adding to your dog’s diet:

  • Fresh fruit/vegetable juice
  • Unsalted broth
  • Coconut water
  • Pedialyte

As a rule of thumb, if the liquid in question is low in fat and sugar and has enough vitamins and protein to make it worth it, it’s likely alright to put it in your dog’s food, as long as it’s in moderation. Be sure to know what can be toxic to dogs before you choose. Most human drinks, such as sports drinks, alcohol, coffee, and soda, are awful for your dog’s health, as they’re either too high in sugar or fat content, or they’re just toxic overall.

What About Other Kinds of Milk?

Be careful with nut milk, as only some nuts are healthy for dogs, such as almonds, peanuts, or cashews.

Almond milk has a high amount of fat and calories and usually contains artificial sweeteners that should be kept away from your dog, as they can poison them.

Oat milk can be dangerous due to its high amount of fiber, which can cause an upset stomach and other adverse effects such as diarrhea and vomiting. 

Coconut milk seems like a safe alternative but generally isn’t recommended. It could be an allergen and doesn’t have enough protein or vitamins to add to your dog’s diet. Generally, it’s just not worth the possible allergic reaction. 

Can My Dog Have Other Human Foods?

As long as the foods in question aren’t automatically toxic to dogs (like avocados, for instance), it should be okay to have them in moderation or as a small treat. However, such treats shouldn’t be given to your dog more than a few times a week. In fact, they can cause unhealthy effects if they contain too much fat or sugar, like pancreatitis, obesity, and more. 

Woman and dog eating breakfast at the table.

You can eat with your dog and share a bit of your food as a treat, as long as you don’t do that more than a few times a week.

©iStock.com/:OLGA RYAZANTSEVA

Can I Use Other Milk as a Replacement for a Mother Dog’s Milk?

The short answer is no. Dog’s milk contains the perfect mix of lactose and other nutrients for the puppies’ delicate digestive system. Therefore it can be digested better, thus being more nutritious. That’s why it’s best if you use a formula created specifically for dogs, rather than other types of milk. Though it may be more expensive, it’s best to spend the money and allow your puppies to grow healthy.

Conclusion

So, can dogs have milk?

Milk contains protein and vitamins, but also high amounts of fat and possibly high amounts of sugar, depending on the kind of milk. Your dog shouldn’t be in trouble if it’s added to their meal, maybe once a week and in small amounts, but you should pay attention to your dog’s symptoms after having it. If symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, or loose stool appear together or occur multiple times in a short period, you should take your dog to the vet.

Other kinds of liquid can be nutritious for your dog and worth to be added into their diet if your dog is lactose intolerant or milk isn’t safe for them otherwise.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © Scherbinator/Shutterstock.com

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About the Author

Kristin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering dogs, cats, fish, and other pets. She has been an animal writer for seven years, writing for top publications on everything from chinchilla cancer to the rise of designer dogs. She currently lives in Tennessee with her cat, dogs, and two children. When she isn't writing about pets, she enjoys hiking and crocheting.

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