is there any reason why you would not give a dog milk?  I sometimes give her a little bit with her dried food...

Many dogs cannot digest lactose and fat in Cows milk, but are better with Goats milk.

Milk after weaning is an unatural food for a dog, or any other Mammal.  We are the only one that regularly consumes it.

If your dogs gets slightly runny poo after having milk, it is why.  some get terrible diarhoe!  If your dog shows no ill effects then a little milk oiccasionally will do no harm.  Mine often get a bit from leftin the bottom of the cereal bowls.

i give abit of goats milk instead of cows.
im not sure, but i dont think dogs can digest some kinds of milk.

Why give milk at all if it can upset their tummy :( Water is a much better choice...If you want to add something tasty why not boil some chicken and add the water from that on the food :)

Water? WATER? "The Flower" would never drink water if there was a chance of a drink of tea! :p:

lily loves a good brew too :D

I think one of the reasons my lot are so pleased to see visitors is the chance of finishing up the cups of tea (with milk and sugar) consumed by guests - my black coffee no sugar just does not appeal!  I use Goats milk in mixing puppy porridge, and give it to my in whelp bitches, never cows milk as it seems to cause colitis in Am . cockers.  I have it on my puppy care instructions which goes with the babes - dont feed cows milk, dont feed chocolate!
bye
Gwen

hello cows are mammals what do you think that calfs drink ?

and milk would constipate you not the oppisite

After they're weaned is the whole point, Catsclaw! After calves are weaned they drink water.
:)

oh i see jeangenie

Yes but they still son't drink it after weaning!  Also it is designed by nature for them.  Milk does not cuse constipation, it will cause diarhoe if you or your animal are intollerant.

but how are you to know if your dog is lactose intollerante ?would you wait to see?(these are just questions)

I think the only way to find out is to see if the dog reacts badly to milk. I'm lucky in that my dogs love milk and it doesn't seem to have any effect on them, but it makes my mother's dog vomit. Others will react to the lactose with diarrhoea. If they are intolerant to it the body gets rid of it as quickly as it can.

Hope this helps.
:)

i see yes it helps

And my point is that as a breed American cockers appear to be predisposed towards milk intolerance, so why chance it?  If I have the knowledge based on generations of my dogs, I feel it only right to pass it on to new puppy owners.  And the sysptoms it produces in Am. cockers are diaorearh/colitis.
bye
Gwen

I never give my dogs milk. But thanks Gwen, will deffinatly not give Beano any,
I give mine Water, dog food, dog treats and occasional meat treats and thats it. (ok, occasionally give them my food, but not often!!!!!!!!!!)
Lea :)

Im lucky with my guys,they love milk and can tolerate it fine,i sometimes simmer their tripe in milk for a few minutes,it smooths the smell out a little :rolleyes: and they seem to like it better that way. I agree they dont need it after weaning but if they like it and tolerate it i dont see the harm :D

christine

I have given puppy formula (cows milk based) to lactating bitches and they have been fine, but as soon as pups were weaned they couldn't to;lerate it anymore, I suppose the nutrients were surplus to requirements.  I have found the goats Milk formula a lot betterm no upsets at all.

Also no probs with yogurt, or soured milk as is made on the continent (same way as soured cream).

No mammal consumes milk post weaning except man!  The ability to process the milk sugar (lactose) is dependent on the presence of the enzyme lactase, this deteriorates with age.  Also some dogs are allergic to milk protein (casein); in both cases the result will NOT be constipating but diarrhoea, gas, bloating etc. This is why all animals including man are advised to steer clear of dairy products during tummy upsets with the exception of live yoghurt.

The source of the milk is immaterial, however the fat content in goats v cows milk differs; also lactose intolerance can be total or partial eg you may be able to handle a cup of milk per day but not more.

IMHO there is no reason to feed milk at all to dogs as there is nothing in it that cannot be better provided elsewhere and a lot in it which can trigger unfortunate effects!