Giving Dogs Milk Poses Risks: Dogs May Have Lactose Intolerance or Allergies
A person rescued a small puppy outside, brought it home and fed it milk and other things, and the next day the dog started having diarrhea. This thing actually exists! And it may happen every day! Some people have limited knowledge of dogs, only knowing the scenes in cartoons where dogs and cats fight over milk, so when they see a small puppy, they subconsciously give it milk.
Not all dogs are suitable for drinking milk, but giving it milk may be risky. Some dogs are lactose intolerant, and some dogs are allergic to milk! These two situations may cause irreparable harm to the dogs.
Dog lactose intolerance
Dog lactose intolerance is the same as for humans. Milk contains lactose, if the dog's body doesn't have enough enzymes to break it down, the lactose will enter the intestines without being digested. Then the water in the intestines absorbs the sugar, causing the dog to have diarrhea. Some dogs didn't have problems drinking mother's milk as a puppy, but after weaning or becoming an adult, the activity of lactose enzymes in the body decreased, and drinking milk is likely to cause lactose intolerance. If your dog is lactose intolerant, it will appear with abnormalities within 12 hours after drinking milk:
1Diarrhea
Diarrhea is the most common symptom of lactose intolerance. Normal dog's excrement can solidify into clumps, but dogs with lactose intolerance, the excrement is like water, and it frequently has diarrhea.
2Loss of appetite
Because the intestines are uncomfortable, the dog has no desire to eat. Don't think that the dog is picky and give it meat or other more fragrant food, the dog will have diarrhea more seriously.
3Flatulence, passing gas
Lactose will be fermented in the intestines by microorganisms, and gas will be produced, causing intestinal bloating. Although the owner may not realize if the dog is bloated, the dog will fart frequently after bloating. Dogs with lactose intolerance, the frequency of farting increases over time.
Some puppies who just weaned are still underdeveloped, drinking too much milk may cause dehydration. Therefore, seeing pitiful little dogs, it's better to give them water rather than milk!
Dog milk allergy
Dog lactose intolerance and milk allergy are different. Dogs are allergic to milk because they recognize certain proteins in milk as harmful substances and the immune system reacts to eliminate or destroy the protein. Lactose intolerance usually only causes diarrhea and intestinal discomfort, but the symptoms of milk allergy are more terrifying: diarrhea, vomiting, skin redness and itching, incessant scratching, facial swelling, and some dogs even have difficulty breathing.
Dog lactose intolerance or allergy will cause diarrhea symptoms, but the difference is that the allergic dog's situation is more serious, often leading to skin diseases. If you find your dog having diarrhea, stop feeding milk immediately and check if it's caused by milk. The best way to avoid dog lactose intolerance or allergy is to not give them milk. For dogs allergic to milk, drinking water is healthier than drinking milk.
Does your dog like to drink milk?
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