Is milk good for a dogs upset stomach

When you picture a pet drinking milk, most will imagine a cat happily lapping up some out of her bowl. So many, might be surprised to hear that cats really shouldn’t ever be poured a bowl of milk. But, when it comes to their four-legged counterparts, is there a similar answer to the question: Can dogs drink milk? There may not be a simple yes or no response, but there are a few guidelines to keep in mind. “Most dogs can drink cow's milk or goat's milk, however some dogs may be allergic or lactose intolerant,” cautions Dr. Stephanie Liff, DVM and owner of Pure Paws Veterinary Care of Clinton Hill Brooklyn, N.Y. And further, while most dogs will readily drink milk, “It's the consequence of that milk drinking that we worry about,” says Dr. Heather Brausa, staff doctor at NYC’s Animal Medical Center. 

When Can Dogs Drink Milk?

You may be thinking: “Don’t puppies drink their mother’s milk?” And, the answer to that question is: Yes. “Milk contains a sugar called lactose that requires an enzyme called lactase for digestion,” explains Brausa. “Puppies generally have the enzyme in abundance as it is used to breakdown their mother's milk while nursing.” While puppies thrive on their mother’s milk, they may not tolerate the cow’s or goat’s milk that you find in your fridge later on in their lives.

Can Dogs Become Lactose Intolerant?

Once puppies have been weaned they’ll produce less lactase and this is when most dogs can, in fact, become lactose intolerant. A dog that is lactose intolerant can experience the same kinds of symptoms as people with the condition. “Dogs have varying degrees of lactose intolerance, so some dogs who drink milk may just experience mild GI distress, or none at all, while others will have severe clinical signs,” shares Brausa. Further, milk and dairy products are common triggers for food allergies in dogs. “A food allergy to milk or dairy can appear as irritation of the skin, redness, itching and GI upset such as vomiting and diarrhea,” says Liff.

What Will Happen If Your Dog Drinks Milk?

Without the abundance of the enzyme lactase that breaks down sugars in milk, adult dogs can have a more difficult time digesting it. The lactose found in milk will pass through their GI tracts and into their colons undigested, and this undigested sugar will draw water into the colon causing diarrhea, and the fermentation of bacteria in their colon may result in flatulence and discomfort. “Due to the deficient levels of lactase, milk ingestion can lead to GI upset including diarrhea and vomiting,” says Liff. “Additionally, whole fat milk or other dairy products may contain too much fat and can also lead to diarrhea and vomiting too.” Dogs may also develop a potentially serious disease called pancreatitis if they eat dairy products—particularly high fat dairy products—that are unfamiliar to them.

What to Do if Your Dog Drinks Milk

While the occasional lick of your ice cream cone or lap from your mug should not be a big deal—unless your dog is allergic—you should avoid allowing your pet to indulge in large amounts of milk and other dairy products. “GI upset will generally occur within 12 hours or so of consuming milk,” says Brausa. So if your pet accidentally gets his paws on a larger helping than you had planned for, monitor for any abdominal distress or discomfort including vomiting and/or diarrhea for that amount of time.

When you have an upset stomach, you probably reach for ginger ale or crackers to settle your tummy. But what should you do when your dog’s stomach is out of sorts?

Here’s some information about the causes and symptoms of upset stomach in dogs and tips for how to make your pup feel better with natural remedies. 

Common Causes of Upset Stomach in Dogs

There are many reasons your dog may have an upset stomach, though there’s one common cause: they ate something they shouldn’t have, says Kathy Backus, DVM, at Holistic Veterinary Services in Kaysville, Utah.

“Dogs are curious like kids; they’re always putting things in their mouth,” she says. “Vomiting and diarrhea are signs that a dog’s body is trying to expel something that shouldn’t be in their system. In a healthy dog, it’s a protective mechanism of the body that’s totally normal.”

These are a few (of many) things that can trigger an upset stomach in dogs:

• Ingesting something that they shouldn’t

• Bacterial imbalances within the digestive tract

• Chronic conditions such as food sensitivities

Symptoms of Upset Stomach in Dogs

The most common signs of upset stomach in dogs are diarrhea and vomiting. If your dog is nauseous, you may also see him eat grass to soothe his stomach or try to induce vomiting, says Jody Bearman, DVM at Anshen Veterinary Acupuncture, Madison, Wisconsin.

Watch for other signs of upset stomach in dogs, such as:

• Decreased appetite or loss of appetite

• Fatigue

• Drinking less water

• Seeming depressed

• Looking uncomfortable and stretching more often (like they are attempting a downward dog)

• Gulping to combat reflux

• Licking their lips, the air, or objects

When to Call Your Vet

Monitor your pup’s symptoms. If your dog is consistently uncomfortable, or if the signs worsen at any point, call your veterinarian.

Watch for these signs:

• Increasing discomfort

• Vomiting or having an episode of diarrhea more than twice

• Blood in their vomit or stool

• Toy or other foreign object in their vomit or stool

• Weakness or collapse

These can all be signs of something more serious, including pancreatitis, stomach bloating, a severe allergic reaction, or internal parasites.

If you realize that your dog has eaten something he shouldn’t have—a plant, food, toy, or chemical—you should seek immediate veterinary care.

If your primary veterinarian is unavailable, call your local emergency veterinary hospital. They will be able to advise whether your pet needs to be seen or whether you can continue to monitor him at home.

You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control hotline at 888-426-4435 for a fee. They can also determine a poison’s level of toxicity and recommended care for your dog.

3 Remedies for Upset Stomach in Dogs

It is crucial to consult with your veterinarian before administering any home remedies to soothe your pup’s tummy troubles. If your veterinarian recommends at-home monitoring, these are a few ideas you can ask them about trying while you are at home with your dog.

Fasting

When your dog’s stomach is trying to get rid of something, it can be helpful to stop putting more things in their stomach for 12-24 hours, Dr. Backus says. “If the gastrointestinal (GI) system is having a tough time, you don’t want it to digest things.” 

Fasting may seem simple enough, but it’s important to speak with your veterinarian first because some dogs (particularly small breeds or those with prior health conditions) cannot tolerate fasting as well as others.

If your veterinarian does recommend fasting, ask whether they would like you to start a bland diet (and what they recommend) after the fasting period is complete.

Ice Cubes

When your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea, you want them to stay hydrated, but giving him too much water may make his stomach even more upset, Dr. Backus says.

Monitoring your dog’s water intake and discouraging gulping is important. Offer your dog ice chips to help encourage drinking.

If your dog can keep down small quantities of water or ice chips, you can gradually increase the amount and how often you are offering the water and ice.

Canned Pumpkin

When fighting indigestion and upset stomach in dogs, 100% canned pumpkin is a favorite of many holistic veterinarians.

“It has a low glycemic index, so it slowly absorbs, which helps with upset stomach and digestion,” Dr. Bearman says.

Make sure to get 100% canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix, as you don’t want to feed your dog spices and other ingredients, she says. Check that there are no ingredients listed other than pumpkin (such as sugar or sugar substitutes).

According to Dr. Bearman, smaller dogs (approximately 5 pounds) can be fed one-half teaspoon of canned pumpkin, while larger dogs (approximately 75 pounds) can be fed 1 tablespoon.

Is Upset Stomach in Dogs a Sign of Food Allergies?

An upset stomach every once in a while can be normal in a dog, but if it happens often, it could signal that something is wrong in their GI tract, says Randy Aronson, DVM, of P.A.W.S. Veterinary Center in Tucson, Arizona.

If digestive upset is a frequent occurrence for your dog, discuss the possibility of a food allergy with your veterinarian. When food allergies are diagnosed in dogs, it is often an allergy to a protein source, which is why a more “novel” protein (one that your dog has never eaten) may be recommended.

There are many options on the market, but examples may include beef, buffalo, venison, or lamb.

How to Help Prevent Upset Stomach in Dogs

To help your dog maintain a healthy gut, consider giving them a prebiotic and probiotic, Dr. Aronson says. There are both prebiotics and probiotics that are made specifically for dogs, some of which are available over the counter. Be sure to ask your veterinarian if they have a particular brand recommendation.

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