Can dogs have dairy?

Like Humans — Dogs Can Suffer from Lactose Intolerance. Without lactase, a dog simply cannot digest dairy products. And acute intestinal symptoms nearly always arise. Now, this inability to digest milk is infamously known as lactose intolerance. And it's the same lactose intolerance so many humans suffer from every day. read more

Some dogs have no problems digesting milk and dairy products. Yet others experience acute intestinal distress — like gas, diarrhea or vomiting — whenever they consume these kinds of foods. It all comes down to how your dog handles a specific nutrient found in milk — a nutrient known as lactose. read more

Most cheeses have far less lactose than milk, and many kinds are safe for dogs in small enough quantities. Moderation in all things. If you have a cheese ready to hand that you know is low in fat, low in sodium, and low in lactose content, you can certainly offer a small bit to a dog who is willing to try it. read more

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. read more