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A few dogs easily digest dairy products. Others suffer from extreme intestinal distress. One lactose-containing food and these dogs begin to vomit and expel gas. Diarrhea is common when a few dogs drink milk or consume milk-based foods. All of these symptoms are linked to how a dog reacts to lactose. It is a variety of sugar, with two sugar molecules attached to each other by chemical means.
Varied problems
A dog can digest milk only if it can break the lactose into two fundamental, easily absorbable sugars. To do this, the body of the animal must produce lactase, a unique lactose-splitting enzyme. The problem is that most dogs cannot do this procedure. Sans lactase, it is not possible for a canine to eat dairy products. This leads to acute intestinal problems. This inability is termed lactose intolerance. The conditions and effects are similar to those of humans. You can notice if your dog is lactose intolerant by basic observation. A lactose-intolerant canine will pass loose stools and pass gas after drinking milk or eating milk-containing products.
Do note that in a few rare instances, a dog could actually be allergic to milk protein. It is to be mentioned that milk must not be regarded as toxic to the canine species. The problem is that for lactose-intolerant dogs, the presence of dairy products could be a real problem. If your dog is lactose intolerant, do not lose hope. A number of solutions are available.
Dosages in food
The reaction of any dog to lactose is related directly to the concerned "dose" — the probability of suffering rises with an increase in the dose. The good news is that the concentration of lactose varies among different food products. This is applicable even to yogurt and cheese products. A cup of whole milk has the highest concentration of lactose, at a massive 11 grams per standard serving. The same lactose concentration is applicable to skimmed milk, too. Ice cream has almost half the quantity of lactose at six grams per serving, followed by low-fat yogurt and sour cream at six and five grams, respectively. Among all the varieties of cheeses, cottage cheese has a maximum lactose of three grams for a half-cup serving. Swiss cheese and American cheese have one gram per ounce. A few kinds of cheese contain minimal lactose. Among milk products, cheeses generally contain the least quantity of lactose-as little as one gram for every serving. Cheddar cheese has zero lactose.
It follows that if your dog is lactose intolerant, then you should feed it foods with zero or minimal lactose concentration. It is perfectly reasonable to provide minimal lactose dairy products to the canine. If you are in two minds about which treatment to give your pet, offer it cheese.
How do I know if my dog is lactose tolerant?
If you want to determine if your dog is lactose tolerant, you have to observe their reaction to dairy products. Dogs, like humans, can vary in their ability to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. Watch for symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, gas, or bloating after your dog consumes dairy products. Your dog may seem uncomfortable or show signs of abdominal pain after consuming dairy, such as whining, restlessness, or lack of appetite. Excessive gas or flatulence after consuming dairy products could also be due to lactose intolerance. In some cases, lactose intolerance can also cause skin issues like itching, redness, or inflammation.
How do you treat a dog with lactose intolerance?
In order to treat a dog with lactose intolerance, you have to manage their diet to avoid dairy products and provide suitable alternatives. Make sure that your dog's food and treats do not contain any dairy ingredients, including milk, cheese, yogurt, and any other dairy-based products. Always read the labels of commercial dog food and treats to check for any hidden dairy ingredients. Some dog foods may contain dairy as fillers or flavorings. Look for lactose-free dog food and treats specially made for dogs with lactose intolerance, which can be easily digested by dogs with sensitive stomachs. Since dairy is a common source of calcium, you’ll have to provide alternative sources, such as leafy greens like spinach or kale, fish, or calcium supplements. If you suspect that your dog has lactose intolerance and you need guidance to manage their diet, consult your veterinarian. They can provide recommendations based on your dog's dietary requirements.
What breed of dogs are lactose intolerant?
Dr. Jaclyn M. Coble, DVM, CCRP, CVA, the CEO and Founder of Sea Legs Integrative Veterinary Health, says that lactose intolerance is not specific to any particular breed of dog. Puppies are born with the ability to digest lactose; many lose this ability as they mature and no longer rely on their mother's milk. This is a common occurrence in the animal kingdom, including in dogs. However, some sources say that breeds like Shar Peis are thought to have a predisposition to allergies, which may include lactose intolerance.
How common is milk allergy in dogs?
Milk allergy in dogs is relatively uncommon compared to lactose intolerance. While lactose intolerance involves difficulty digesting lactose, the sugar found in milk, a milk allergy is an immune system response to the proteins found in milk. Dog’s milk has a relatively higher protein content (6.62–17.34%) and a lower lactose content (1.56–3.92%) than cow or goat milk. That means a puppy might be able to consume its mother’s milk but not common dairy products. Lactose allergy (often confused with milk allergy) is one of the common food allergies seen in dogs, along with beef and wheat allergies.
