My sister has got an 18 month Weim, she's only had him a couple of weeks.
He has been sick about 3 times today, quite big amounts.
She told me she'd given him bread and milk instead of his proper meal at dinnertime, as the people who she bought him off advised her too, if he ever had an upset tummy.
I told her, that can't be right, as I'd heard milk was bad for dogs, she asked me why. I couldn't give a proper answer as I don't exactly know. I said I thought it was that they couldn't digest it.
So can anyone give me some proper reasons why they shouldn't have milk, especially if they are sick.
Also she has changed his food, as he didn't seem happy eating the one he was on. It was changed over a few days, but not sure if it was a slow enough process, is that what's more than likely made him sick. Or does food change over only give dogs the runs.
I advised her not to feed him at all for the rest of the day, and see how he is tomorrow.

Mitch.

Hi there

Cows' milk is nutritionally quite different to bitches' milk, in terms of fat content, proteins etc and although a lot of dogs can tolerate it, it may cause digestive problems, although diarrhoea is more common than vomiting.  If your sister's dog is vomiting, feeding bread and milk at this time is certainly not a good idea.

Food should be changed over about 10 days or so, mixing 10% of new food with 90% of old, then 20% to 80% and so on.  Obviously one should change onto a reputable brand of dog food, or make up meals from raw ingredients (everyone has different opinions on this).  Personally, I've always found that my animals are fine on a complete dry mix, but I'm too lazy to make their food from scratch, as it's tricky to get the balance right.  Some dogs take up to a month to adjust to a new food.

How is the dog otherwise?  Does he display any other clinical signs, e.g. diarrhoea, excessive thirst?  Is he generally bright and responsive?  If he's not lethargic or depressed, I would advise a complete starve for 24 hours, allowing him controlled amounts of cool water, little and often.  After 24 hours, try him on something extremely bland, such as chicken or white fish and boiled rice.  Give him a couple of tablespoons, and if he hasn't vomited after an hour, give him a little more, and just monitor him carefully.

If he is displaying other signs, or seems depressed, I would take him to the vet.  I would also advise this if the problem recurs.  It's probably nothing terribly serious, but better safe than sorry.  As he's a new dog, it's probably worth taking him for a general check up in any case.

Hope this helps, good luck and let us know how he gets on.

Regards

Mary-Caroline

Milk isn't bad but it is not suitable for dogs and will give them stomach upset. The advice you have been given is sound and I hope the dog is better soon, if not then see a vet.

Even people are advised to avoid milky drinks when they are nauseous and/or vomiting. I'm afraid your friend has been given poor advice there.

HI Mitch,

>She told me she'd given him bread and milk instead of his proper meal at dinnertime, as the people who she bought him off advised her too, if he ever had an upset tummy.<

That makes me a bit suspicious .. I would advise your sister to call back the people she bought the dog from and ask if he often has an "upset tummy."  It is a bit unusual to give this type of advice, not to mention the wrong recommendation, if there has not been a problem in the past.   Perhaps this dog has had a history of colitis or tummy problems? 

A dog going into a new home can also cause tummy problems.  Changing food too quickly (less than a week's time) for some dogs can also do it. 

Stacey

Milk is not generally a suitable food for most dogs although, like a lot of unsuitable things, many dogs will consume it with no obvious ill effects, much the same way as they do animal droppings, videos, books etc :D

Milk contains lactose, a sugar, most dogs are not equipped with the enzyme lactase necessary to digest it properly or can only digest a limited amount.  This then has to be broken down in the intestines and causes diarrhoea and gas and often dogs are diagnosed with all sorts of things when they are, in fact, just lactose intolerant; remove the milk, dairy product and voila.  This can happen with lots of things as many commercial foods may have dairy products "disguised" under various names eg whey products and many flavourings etc are made up of milk proteins.

Other dogs are actually allergic to milk protein, casein, which can have the same effects or worse.

Bread and milk is not a food to feed either a health or sick dog as neither product is appropriate and together they can be a recipe for the squits at least.

If a dog has an upset tummy, find the cause and eliminate it or go to the vet if worried.

Live yoghurt would be the only dairy product I would recommend feeding to a dog and it IS very good for tums.

HTH

I take it you are not including eggs often considered a dairy product.

As far as I am personally concerned anything that originates from a dairy means that a milk producing animal was involved.

Last time I checked, poultry were not included :D :D :D

Although no doubt when the geneticists get bored with whatever they happen to be doing now I fully expect to be able pour some "hen" on my "little red rooster" for breakfast! :D LD

I know what you say is strictly true but it is common parlance for eggs to be included in dairy produce and I would not want people to restrict their dogs diet more than necessary.

No, milk is not bad for any animal/human that can tolerate it, in fact it can be one of the few most nutritious drinks around. Also depends on the type of milk given, ie. raw/pasturised/sterilised etc, which animal it comes from, cow/sheep/goat etc. I have one dog who`s had a drink of fresh cows milk every day for the first year of his life & occasional since then with no adverse effects. Another when adviced by vet to give her as much milk as she would drink after having eclampsia had dire rear dreadfully from cows milk, yet when given fresh raw goats milk had no problem at all with it, same as the rest of my 10 dogs. Also recently weaned 10 pups on raw fresh goats milk with no problem as well.
Would suggest you speak to the breeder of your pup & ask their advice, if not do a search on the net for pro`s & cons of all types of milk.

Christine, Spain.

In this case Christine it is the people form whom the dog was purchased that advised the giving of bread and milk, don't know if it was the breeder or even if the breeder is known.

Yes it was the people who my sister bought the dog off, that advised the milk, noy the breeder.
My sister has the breeders number off the kc form, and had tried to get in touch several times when she got the dog. Eventually she actually got to speak to her the other day. The breeder was shocked to find out that the dog had been sold on twice, since she sold him as a puppy. She has 4 at home, but she would of taken him back. My sister convinced her, that he was now at the right home, and he was settling in perfectly, and they were happy with him. The breeder disagreed about the milk, an said not to feed him, as I'd already suggested, and if he was no better to take him to the vets the next day.
She's give my sister advise on a few things, and said she could ring anytime if there was a problem.
So at least she's got someone experienced at hand now :)

Mitch.

I am glad your sister has got in touch with the breeder who has given her good dietary advice. 

Mitch I suspect your sister should almost disregard the info given by the people she brought the dog from and concentrate on what the breeder says. I wish her all the luck in the world.
Karen

If they are going to give milk of any kind tell them to try Goats milk. Lacey used to have very bad runs after drinking cows milk but she has been nicking a bit of Busta's goats milk and she is still producing firm stools. If that doesn't work then i'd suggest getting the dog down to the vets to see if there is a more serious problem.

My dog (a black Labrador bitch) often asks me for milk when I have the carton in my hand. She enjoys it and I have not noticed any problems.