Milk is not a regular food for dogs. You shouldn’t let your dogs drink milk because they are carnivorous animals and can survive with water. Dogs do not need milk or any milk substitute. They can get all the nutrients they need from eating their regular food. Still, if you enjoy oat milk or similar substitutes, it’s natural to ask: can dogs have oat milk?
Read on and know more about the benefits and risks of oat milk for dogs and other non-dairy milk alternatives.
What is oat milk?
Oat milk is a dairy-free milk substitute that offers health benefits. It’s one of the many plant-based milk alternatives that include soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk. Oat milk consists of water, oats, and other nutrients.
Oat milk is good for people and animals with lactose intolerance. It is rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, carbohydrates, and calories.
Is oat milk safe for dogs?
Cow’s milk and other animal milk are not advisable for dogs because they have lactose intolerance. When dogs drink milk they cannot metabolize the lactose found in dairy products.
Puppies are capable of digesting lactose, but adult dogs cannot. They drink milk all the time. In fact, for the first few weeks, puppies survive on their mother’s milk. It is because puppies can produce the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose found in milk. When puppies stop drinking their mother’s milk, their bodies stop producing lactase. They become lactose intolerant.
While all types of milk are safe for puppies, large amounts can be harmful to adult dogs. Drinking milk could trigger vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems for adult dogs.
Dogs can drink oat milk. It is non-dairy milk so it doesn’t have lactose. Oat milk is safe for dogs. When dogs drink oat milk in moderation, they will not experience any health issues.
Do dogs like the taste of milk?
If you give your dog milk, or won’t care that they have lactose intolerance they will crazy over this treat. Milk is has a delicious creamy taste that dogs will love. Moderation is important when it comes to giving a treat. Too much of anything can be harmful to dogs.
What are the benefits of oat milk for dogs?
Although they are lactose intolerant, milk can still bring benefits to dogs when given as an occasional treat. It can be an alternative for carbohydrate treats for dogs that have a sensitivity and intolerance to wheat and grains. Oat milk in particular is a great plant-based replacement for cow’s milk.
When dogs drink oat milk they reap these health benefits.
Dairy-free milk substitute
Oatmilk is non-dairy milk. Compared to cow’s milk and goat’s milk, it has lesser amounts of allergens and irritants that can cause an upset stomach.
High-fiber content
Unlike cow’s milk, oat milk has a lot of fiber. This nutrient aids in digestion and helps in smooth bowel movement. Fiber is good for dogs having bowel irregularities.
Calcium and vitamin D content
Oat milk is a good source of calcium which is needed for the bone growth of a dog.
Other vitamins and minerals
Oat milk is rich in various vitamins and minerals that prevent anemia and boost your pet’s immune system.
What are the health risks of giving a dog oat milk?
Oat milk is not toxic to a dog and they can drink small amounts of it. But there are risks in taking in too much milk.
Ingesting large quantities of milk can cause tummy issues. If you observe any physical distress after giving milk to your dog, you should bring it to the vet immediately.
What should you consider before giving milk to dogs?
When introducing new food into your pet’s diet is always daunting. You’re always worrying if it’s safe or if your pet will like it. If you want to give oat milk to your dog, here are a few things to think about.
Allergies
Food allergy is one of the common types of allergies that affects many dogs. While most dogs can tolerate small amounts of lactose and other components of milk, an allergic dog might exhibit side effects. Itching, ear and foot infection, and skin irritation are common allergic reactions.
In some cases, dogs could have anaphylaxis. It is a severe allergic reaction from ingesting a milk treat. The throat of the dog will swell up, and it can die from suffocation.
Dogs can develop allergies to milk even after drinking it for several months. If your dog is sensitive, it’s better to check its milk consumption and observe any reactions.
Moderation
We’ll say it again, oat milk should only be given in moderation. If you are unsure of the safe amount of milk to give your pet, you should consult a veterinarian.
Check ingredients
Checking the ingredients of food products is important before giving them to your pets. Some brands of milk use xylitol as an alternative to sugar. This chemical is toxic to dogs. It can cause life-threatening complications like a liver injury.
What happens when dogs drink oat milk?
Gastrointestinal problems
When dogs drink oat milk, they can experience stomach issues because their diet should compose of protein-based food. The fiber and carbohydrates found in oat milk are hard for dogs to digest.
Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting caused by drinking milk can have the potential to become serious. When this happens, give your pet lots of water. If diarrhea persists for several days, you must seek professional help.
Hyperactivity
Sweetened oat milk contains sugar. It can make your dogs very active and erratic. Too much sugar increases the heart rate and heightens anxiety.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a result of eating too many fats and toxins. When the dog’s pancreas is damaged, it cannot produce enough insulin and glucagon. Without these hormones, the blood sugar levels of a dog can increase.
Diabetes
Treats are mostly sweet and must be controlled. Dogs can only process small amounts of sugar. Even active dogs can have diabetes from the regular consumption of sweetened oat milk.
Can you give your dog oat milk with an added flavor?
Aside from the sweetened one, there is a variety of oat milk available in groceries. What type of oat milk can dogs drink?
When you give your dog oat milk, plain is the best choice. Do not try to sweeten it because sugar can cause health problems and mood changes. Also, adding flavors will risk exposure to potential allergens.
Can you give your dog chocolate oat milk?
Never give your dogs chocolate oat milk. Chocolate is toxic to dogs. It contains theobromine and caffeine. They cannot metabolize these chemicals and can make them unwell.
The darker chocolates are more toxic for dogs. A 2.25 ounce of baking chocolate can kill a pooch.
Even if the amount of chocolate ingested by dogs does not meet the toxicity level, they can still be ill because of the sugar and fat.
Can you give your dog vanilla oat milk?
While this type of milk has the same nutrients as plain oat milk, it contains more sugar and xylitol. Even the smallest amount of xylitol can cause hypoglycemia in a dog in a matter of minutes.
How much oat milk can dogs drink?
Water alone without other liquid supplements can sustain a dog. But giving them treats like oat milk can give them extra nutrients.
If you plan to incorporate oat milk into your dog’s food as a treat, you should do it gradually. Start by giving it a small amount and watch if it causes any adverse effects. If your dog is okay, you can try giving it some more some other time. Giving too much milk to dogs at once and too often will upset your dog’s stomach.
If the milk cause stomach pains, let your dog drink a little water to help settle their stomach. If the dog is in pain, take it to the vet immediately. Remember the amount of milk you gave your dog. Having all the exact information will help medical professionals deal with your dog’s symptoms.
How to make oat milk
You know that cow’s milk comes from milking cows. How about oat milk? Can you make oat milk at home?
Of course! It’s even more beneficial to make your own. When you make your oat milk, you are sure that no additives or sugar can make your dog sick. It’s easy to make milk for your dog. Here are the steps.
- Place a cup of rolled oats and four cups of water into the blender.
- Let it soak to let the nutrient seep out into the water giving you dogs more nutrition.
- Blend it on the highest setting for at least 45 seconds.
- Place a towel or cheesecloth over a container and use it to strain the contents of the blender.
- Once you separate the liquid from the oat pulps, it’s ready for your dog.
- Do not store any excess. You can inadvertently give your dog spoiled oat milk. It will cause more health complications.
What is other plant-based milk can dogs drink?
Traditional milk is harvested from animals like cows. Goat’s milk and cow’s milk are what humans usually consume. Unless people are lactose intolerant, this type of milk provides more nutrition for them. The same cannot be said for dogs, unfortunately. All dogs are sensitive to lactose and should steer away from dairy products.
“So what alternative should I give my dog?”
Plant-based milk is a safe option and is generally good for dogs. It is more sustainable than milk from cows. These are other plant-based milk that is lactose-free.
Soy milk
Soy milk is the most common plant-based milk. It is rich in protein and good for humans and dogs alike.
The biggest risk in feeding your dog this milk is allergic reactions. Most dog allergies are triggered by protein content in the food they eat. Since soy milk is high in protein, it has a greater chance of causing allergic reactions to your dog.
Most commercial soy milk has added sweeteners. It means they contain fat and sugar which are dangerous to dogs. The sugar content can degrade a dog’s teeth and cause pancreatitis and diabetes.
Almond milk
This milk comes from ground almonds. Unlike other kinds of nuts, almonds are safe for dogs. Almond milk is popular for people who are on a keto diet.
Almond milk is low on protein and calories and high in fat. Small quantities are safe to give to your pets.
Like oat milk, almond milk also comes with risks. The fat in this type of milk can be hard to digest and may result in watery and oily diarrhea.
Coconut milk
Coconut milk is another plant-based milk that is not toxic to dogs.
Coconut milk offers a few nutritional benefits to your pets. It can freshen the breath, strengthen their immune system, and improve the appearance of their coat.
In large amounts, coconut milk can cause diarrhea and loose bowel movement. When introducing this to your per, let it drink a few milliliters at a time. If the coconut milk did not cause any unwanted side effects, you may continue to give it in moderate amounts.
Conclusion
Dogs are lactose intolerant and can’t drink milk. Although, oat milk and other plant-based dairy alternatives do not have any toxic components that can harm your dog. Oat milk makes an excellent addition to a dog’s diet. It is rich in vitamins, calcium, and other minerals that will contribute to the well-being of your dog.
If you want to give your dog milk as a treat, you shouldn’t give it to your dog too often. When it comes to dairy products like oat milk, moderation is key. Always remember their sensitivity and intolerance to lactose because it can lead to serious health problems.
