Milk can be given to dogs from time to time as a treat, but it is not a necessity in their diet. Something to keep in mind though is the fact that some pets cannot tolerate milk because they do not produce the enzyme known as lactase which helps with the digestion of lactose (a sugar found in milk.) For pets that can tolerate milk, it is a good source of protein and calcium. However after weaning, the level of lactase activity falls to about ten percent of its peak activity. If more lactose is consumed than what the animal can digest, diarrhea will often occur, this is whats known as lactose intolerance. If a person suspects that their dog is lactose intolerant, limiting or eliminating dairy products from their diet is the smartest thing to do.
There are a few ways to tell if your dog is lactose intolerant. A few symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Sometimes a dog suffering from lactose intolerance will drink excess amounts of water since the diarrhea and vomiting are associated with dehydration.
Under certain circumstances, pets that are lactose intolerant can still consume dairy products. For instance, cheese and unpasteurized yogurt usually have the lactose removed or partially broken down through bacterial action. As a result, it is usually safe for both dogs and cats to eat this dairy product.
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