Can Dogs Drink Milk?
They can drink a little, but many adult dogs do not digest lactose well and milk gives them gas or diarrhea. If you want to give it, choose lactose-free milk and keep the amount small.
What it gives your dog
Puppies produce lactase, the enzyme that digests milk sugar, but its activity drops sharply after weaning. That is why many adult dogs have some degree of lactose intolerance: cow's milk contains about 4.7 g per 100 ml and, if it is not digested, it reaches the colon, ferments and causes gas, gurgling and soft stools.
Milk is not toxic, and some dogs tolerate it well in small amounts. But they do not need it: a dog on a balanced diet already gets the calcium it needs, and milk adds calories (about 63 kcal per 100 ml for whole milk). Lactose-free milk avoids the digestive problem; whole milk also adds more fat.
How to serve it
- Ideally lactose-free, reduced-fat or skim milk
- As an occasional extra, not daily and never instead of water
- Never condensed milk, milkshakes or drinks with sugar or sweeteners
- For orphaned puppies, only puppy milk replacer
How much can they eat?
If they tolerate it: small dog (under 10 kg / 22 lb), 2-4 tablespoons (30-60 ml / 1-2 fl oz) now and then; medium dog (10-25 kg / 22-55 lb), 60-100 ml (about 1/4-1/3 cup); large dog (over 25 kg / 55 lb), 100-150 ml (about 1/2 cup). Try a tablespoon first and wait a day.
Risks
- Lactose intolerance: gas, belly pain and diarrhea
- Fat in whole milk or cream
- Extra calories in overweight dogs
- Sweetened dairy drinks or drinks with sweeteners (xylitol)
- Milk protein allergy: recurring itching or ear infections
Frequently asked questions
Can puppies drink cow's milk?
It is not recommended. Cow's milk has less protein and fat than a mother dog's milk and more lactose, and in puppies it can cause diarrhea, which dehydrates them very quickly at that age. If a puppy needs milk because it cannot nurse, use a puppy milk replacer from a pet store or vet clinic. Once weaned, they do not need it.
Can dogs drink lactose-free milk?
Yes, it is the best choice if you want to give your dog milk. Because the lactose is already broken down, it does not usually cause gas or diarrhea. Even so, it adds calories and they do not need it, so treat it as an occasional extra: a few spoonfuls over their food or to soften a treat. Choose reduced-fat or skim with no added sugar.
What about goat milk or plant-based milks?
Goat milk has almost as much lactose as cow's milk, so it does not solve intolerance. Oat, rice or soy drinks are not toxic, but many contain sugar, salt or sweeteners. If you ever give them, choose unsweetened versions with no sweeteners and in small amounts, and avoid nut milks.
General information reviewed against veterinary sources. If your dog has eaten something that worries you, call your vet or a 24-hour emergency vet right away, without waiting for symptoms.