Milk has a prominent place in the diet of the average person. That should come as no surprise since many people drink milk, put it in their cereal, and even cook with it. Even if we’re no longer drinking milk from a bottle, we still like to taste it from time to time.
When we like something, we get this urge to share it with our pets. You may have heard previously that regular cow’s milk is not good for dogs. What about cat milk then? Can you give that to your pet?
Let’s take the time to answer those questions in this article. After reading this, you should have a better understanding of the effects that drinking milk can have on your dog.
Can Dogs Drink Cat Milk?
Before we dive into the topic of your dog drinking cat milk, let’s first answer a different question. What is cat milk in the first place?
Crucially, the cat milk we’re referring to here is not the milk that comes from nursing adult cats. The product in question here is a specially formulated treat developed by nutritionists over at Whiskas.
So, what makes the Cat Milk, that you can buy, different from regular cow’s milk? Unlike regular cow’s milk, Cat Milk contains significantly less lactose. That’s a big deal because the lactose in cow’s milk can upset a cat’s stomach.
Adult dogs also struggle with lactose. You shouldn’t give them regular milk because of that.
Does that mean you can give Cat Milk to your dog? No, you should avoid doing that as well.
It’s important to remember that cat milk companies developed their products with cats in mind. The product is meant for cats and no other animals.
A single sip of Cat Milk may not do much damage, but regularly giving it to your dog can be an issue. The fat content of Cat Milk, in particular, can be excessive for dogs. Your pet may develop health issues long-term if they consistently drink Cat Milk.
You may just want to give your dog a delicious sip of milk, but it’s not worth it. Offer them a different treat instead.
What Happens if Dogs Drink Cat Milk?
Milk is not good for adult dogs. We’ve already established that. Still, you may be wondering why it is so bad for them.
Detailed in this section are the different things that can happen to your dog if they drink Cat Milk. Go through them so you can fully understand the harm that milk can do to your dog’s body.
Diarrhea
Dogs react to lactose differently. Some dogs are less capable of handling lactose than others so they are more susceptible to its ill effects. For them, even something like Cat Milk can cause gastrointestinal issues.
Give Cat Milk to a dog who cannot handle lactose at all and they may suffer from a bout of diarrhea. You’ll be cleaning up plenty of poop due to that poor decision.
Vomiting
Vomiting is another potential side effect of giving your dog Cat Milk. Save your dog from that nasty experience by keeping the Cat Milk away from their bowl.
Discomfort
Your dog may grow uncomfortable after drinking Cat Milk. Because the Cat Milk is not reacting well with their body, they may start to experience some pain and discomfort. No dog should experience that kind of discomfort so avoid giving your pet Cat Milk.
Pancreatitis
Dogs who drink milk on a regular basis may develop a condition known as pancreatitis. The aforementioned condition is the result of excess fat in your dog’s diet.
Pancreatitis is a potentially life-threatening condition for dogs. Make sure that it will not be the disease that takes your precious pet away by keeping milk and other fatty treats away from them.
Can Puppies Drink Kitten Milk?
Dogs aren’t born lactose intolerant. That’s why puppies can drink the milk produced by their mother with no issue. Lactose intolerance is usually something that kicks in as dogs mature.
Since puppies can handle milk better than adult dogs, does that mean that you can give them the specially formulated milk for kittens? No, you still want to avoid doing that.
The milk that comes from a female dog is different from Cat Milk. It’s also way different from the regular cow’s milk you can buy at the store. Their nutritional profiles are all different so they can do different things to a dog’s body.
The lower lactose content of kitten milk may cause you to think that it should be fine for puppies, but that’s not the case. Your pups should get milk directly from a female dog and nowhere else.
Can Dogs Drink Cow Milk?
You can find different variants of cow’s milk at the supermarket. Those variants typically differ in terms of how much fat they contain. Examples of cow’s milk variants available today are whole milk, low-fat milk, and skim milk.
The sheer number of available options may lead you to believe that at least one of them will be suitable for your dog. While milk with lower fat content is potentially healthier for dogs, you still have the lactose to worry about.
As long as lactose is present in that carton of cow’s milk you’re buying, you should avoid giving it to your pet. Your dog may still suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, and physical discomfort after drinking low-fat cow’s milk.
Should Dogs Drink Milk?
Milk is not something you should give to your dog for reasons we have already discussed at length. But what if your dog grew up liking milk and they developed a craving for it? Can you still give milk to your pet in that scenario?
You should avoid giving your dog any kind of milk as much as possible. However, you can pour a few tablespoons of milk into their bowl if they really like it. Don’t go beyond that amount.
If your dog has an adverse reaction to that small amount of milk, then don’t give them any more of it moving forward.
You should also still look for potential substitutes even if your dog does not display an adverse reaction to drinking milk. Ask the veterinarian for some suggestions so your pet can enjoy something better for them.