Why Puppies Should Not Drink Cow’s Milk

1 Why Puppies Should Not Drink Cow’s Milk

1. Why puppies cannot drink cow’s milk

1. Fragile gut: puppy guts cannot absorb milk, easily causing diarrhea; severe diarrhea may dehydrate. For hand-rearing, buy special formula from a pet store—processed to suit the gut. Even adults should not get cow’s milk; its composition hinders absorption and causes issues.

2. High lactose: cow’s milk has about half the nutrition of dog milk but more lactose; dogs do not make more lactase, so it is indigestible and other nutrients are not absorbed. So cow’s milk has little value for dogs. Dog milk is high-protein, high-fat, low-lactose; cow’s milk is the opposite—low protein, low fat, high lactose—failing puppy needs.

2. How to supplement puppy nutrition

1. Feed mother’s milk as much as possible; it best meets needs. Puppies can eat kibble after 45 days; before that, prefer milk.

2. Use fermented yogurt instead of milk; fermentation degrades much lactose, easing intolerance.

3. Use goat’s milk instead; lower lactose and rich in vitamin E, a natural antioxidant for dogs.

Puppies diarrhea from milk can be fatal if severe, so be cautious—do not give cow’s milk; find more suitable nutrition. If you have other questions, consult an online veterinarian.