Giving milk to your golden retriever may make you wonder if it’s in their best interest. This well-researched guide will answer all the common questions many pet parents have associated with milk to ensure their dog’s health.
Golden retrievers can drink a small amount of milk occasionally if they aren’t lactose intolerant or allergic to it. If a dog is lactose intolerant or allergic to milk, their body won’t be able to handle it and may experience symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, gas, rashes, itching, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
In this article, we’ll discuss lactose intolerance, how you can diagnose it, what dairy products are safe, how you can tell if your dog is allergic to milk, and more.
Table of Contents
What Is Lactose Intolerance in Dogs?
Humans and canines can have lactose intolerance for the same reason. Milk contains a sugar called lactose.
Your body needs an enzyme called lactase to break down lactose into simpler sugars for absorption as it enters the small intestines.
When your body doesn’t have any lactase or very low quantities of lactase, it leads to lactose intolerance, and lactose keeps passing through the digestive system undigested.
In simpler terms, lactose intolerance is when your dog is not able to digest lactose (sugar) as it passes through the digestive system.
Lactose is found in many dairy products, including milk, cheese, cream, yogurt, butter, ice cream, and other foods like breakfast cereals, processed meats (sausage and bacon), bread, biscuits, cookies, and pancakes.
Summary: Lactose intolerance in dogs occurs when they lack sufficient lactase enzyme to digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy products, leading to undigested lactose passing through the digestive system.
What Are the Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance in Dogs?
Determining whether your dog is lactose intolerant can be a bit difficult. However, you can watch out for these symptoms, which usually show up within 12 hours or so after your dog drank milk or ate dairy products and can last for hours or days.
- Bloating
- Gas
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
RELATED: Do Golden Retrievers Fart A Lot?
If these symptoms persist, it can also lead to weight loss and dehydration.
Of course, your golden retriever can’t speak, so their body behavior can easily help you determine if something is wrong with their health.
How Can A Vet Diagnose Lactose Intolerance In Your Golden Retriever?
After observing your dog’s behavior after giving dairy products or milk, you should note them down with you.
Once you schedule an appointment with your vet, these symptoms will help determine the true underlying cause.
Of course, your vet will guide you on the most effective diagnostic method for canine lactose intolerance and will take an appropriate route.
Although this study is linked with humans, it can be taken as a reference for our canine companions as well.
This study suggests that an elimination diet, hydrogen breath test, or blood sugar levels test can be effective for diagnosis.
1. Elimination Diet
Your vet will probably start diagnosis with an elimination diet as it’s usually the most effective diagnosis method, which means that your golden retriever shouldn’t have milk or any dairy product for a specific time period.
Research conducted on dogs and cats for diagnosing cutaneous adverse food reactions suggests that an elimination diet should last for at least 8 weeks.
Ensure you read the food labels properly and that there are no terms related to dairy and lactose, including dry milk and whey. With an elimination diet, no dairy product should be given to your golden retriever.
When your dog’s elimination diet is over, you can introduce a small amount of milk or dairy products again in their diet.
If the symptoms which we have discussed above again start showing, it could be due to lactose intolerance.
Keep in mind that a small amount of dairy should be given to even a dog with no lactose intolerance or allergy since large quantities can also disrupt their digestive system. (we’ll discuss the details later)
Moreover, if, during the elimination diet, the symptoms of lactose intolerance started getting better, this is also a good indicator.
You should discuss this all with your vet.
2. Hydrogen Breath Test
When lactose reaches the large intestine, it’s broken down by bacteria, and products of fermentation like hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide, and methane are formed.
This is why gas and bloating occur with lactose intolerance.
The hydrogen then enters the bloodstream through the walls of the intestine and is exhaled by the lungs.
If a lactose-intolerant dog eats a dairy product, hydrogen levels will be high in their breath.
If your dog has high hydrogen in their breath, it should also be accompanied by other lactose intolerance symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, and gas for a more accurate diagnosis.
A study was conducted on adult dogs for experimentally induced disaccharide (one of the three major types is lactose) malabsorption, and hydrogen levels were outside the normal range for most dogs.
3. Blood Sugar Levels Test
Blood sugar levels don’t increase significantly after taking milk or dairy with lactose intolerance because lactose (sugar) isn’t broken down and absorbed in the body.
If your golden retriever has lactose intolerance, their blood sugar levels will not increase after the intake of dairy. Again, the common symptoms of lactose intolerance should be present with this test result for accuracy.
According to a study, the hydrogen breath test was more accurate in diagnosing lactose intolerance in patients than the blood sugar test.
Summary: Diagnosing lactose intolerance in golden retrievers involves observing symptoms after dairy intake, possibly using an elimination diet, hydrogen breath test, and blood sugar levels test, with the hydrogen breath test generally being more accurate for diagnosis.
Is Milk Bad for Golden Retrievers?
If your golden retriever doesn’t have lactose intolerance or isn’t allergic to dairy, milk isn’t bad for them when taken in small quantities only and occasionally.
Since milk is high in sugar and fat content, you should ensure it’s in moderation as it can lead to obesity due to high calories and other health issues related to obesity, including diabetes, orthopedic disease, cardiorespiratory disease, and reproductive disorders.
High quantities of milk can also cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in your dog since a high-fat diet is one of the main reasons for this medical condition.
Your dog may have to deal with an upset stomach with symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting when milk is given in high quantities, even if they aren’t lactose intolerant or allergic to milk.
This is due to the high sugar and fat content in milk that can make digestion hard when given in large quantities to dogs without lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.
Summary: Milk isn’t inherently bad for golden retrievers without lactose intolerance or dairy allergies, but it should be given in moderation due to its high sugar and fat content, which can lead to obesity and digestive issues.
How Much Milk Can I Give a Golden Retriever?
If your dog isn’t allergic to dairy and isn’t lactose intolerant, you can safely give them a few tablespoons of cow’s or goat’s milk from time to time as a treat.
You should know that treats should not be more than 10% of your dog’s diet, and milk should also be treated as an occasional treat for the reasons mentioned above.
Never give them large quantities of milk in one sitting, as it can upset their digestive system and lead to diarrhea and vomiting, and also pancreatitis.
What Dairy Products Are Safe For Golden Retrievers?
Do all milk products and dogs go well together? Well, a dog without any dairy allergies and lactose intolerance can safely eat almost all dairy products.
However, it should only be in small quantities and on an occasional basis.
Remember that some dairy products contain ingredients toxic to your golden retriever, such as chocolate, raisins, and xylitol, in baked products or ice creams.
Hence, make sure to carefully read the ingredient list and don’t feed your dog any dairy product containing toxic ingredients.
Xylitol is a natural alcohol found in plants. Research says it can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) and even acute liver failure with a higher dosage in dogs.
Recommended Reading: What Fruits Can Golden Retrievers Not Eat?
If you still want to give a diet with low lactose to your golden retriever that doesn’t have lactose intolerance for easier digestion, here are a few dairy items with low lactose.
- Lactose-free milk – <0.1 lactose content per 100g
- Fresh yogurt – 3 lactose content per 100g
- Cheddar cheese – 0.1 lactose content per 100g
Since fresh plain yogurt contains probiotics, it can also support and strengthen your golden retriever’s digestive tract.
However, most dairy products are still high in fat and calories and can lead to health problems over time.
You may also wonder if it’s better to give skim milk (fat-free milk) than whole milk to your dog. Skim milk surely has zero fats and even lower calories than whole milk.
However, skim milk (4.8 lactose content per 100g) still has almost the same lactose content as whole milk (4.7 lactose content per 100g) and may still affect digestion, besides being lower in calories.
Summary: Golden retrievers without dairy allergies or lactose intolerance can safely consume most dairy products in moderation, avoiding those with toxic ingredients. Low-lactose options include lactose-free milk, fresh yogurt, and cheddar cheese, but dairy should still be limited due to high fat and calorie content.
Why Can Puppies Drink Milk?
You may wonder why are newborn puppies drinking milk from their mother safely every day without showing any symptoms.
This is because mother’s milk is essential for their development and protection against diseases and illnesses, especially as a puppy, they are at a higher risk of developing diseases because their immune system is still developing.
Since immunity is passively transferred from the mother’s milk to puppies, it protects them against diseases and is also essential for their survival in the first few weeks of life.
Therefore, it makes sense that lactase is naturally high in puppies since it’s their only source of nutrition.
After weaning (usually when they leave their mother), the production of lactase may also decrease in some puppies because the expression of the lactase gene is down-regulated.
Recommended Reading: When Can Golden Retriever Puppies Leave Their Mother?
Summary: Newborn puppies can drink their mother’s milk safely as it provides essential nutrients and antibodies, crucial for development and disease protection. Post-weaning, lactase production in puppies often decreases due to reduced lactase gene expression.
Can Puppies Drink Regular Milk?
Well, puppies shouldn’t drink any other milk than their mother’s milk because it contains essential nutrients and antibodies to help their growing needs and protect against diseases.
However, if your puppy is an orphan or their mother can’t provide milk to them due to sickness or other reasons, you can provide them with a high-quality commercial puppy milk replacer after consulting your vet.
Don’t feed them cow or goat milk because your puppy may have to deal with an upset stomach and an inappropriate diet for their specific nutritional requirements.
Puppy food is rich in calories (nutrient-dense) to support their growing needs.
You can’t expect to raise a healthy puppy by feeding them regular milk.
You must consult your vet for the right feeding plan for your orphan puppy.
Summary: Puppies should only drink their mother’s milk or high-quality commercial milk replacers, not cow or goat milk, which can cause digestive issues and don’t meet their specific nutritional needs. Consult a vet for orphaned puppies’ feeding plans.
Are Golden Retrievers Lactose Intolerant?
Genetic sequencing in a study showed that dogs of European descent are more likely to keep producing lactase even when they enter adulthood compared to other dogs.
Since golden retrievers originated in Scotland and were used as hunting dogs, regardless of being American, Canadian, or English, it could be said in relation to this study that this breed is not much likely to be lactose intolerant.
However, still, some golden retrievers can be lactose intolerant while others not.
Can a Golden Retriever Be Allergic to Milk?
Although food allergies aren’t common in dogs, it’s possible that your golden retriever might be allergic to milk rather than lactose intolerant.
Food allergies involve the immune system, whereas food intolerance doesn’t. If your dog has an allergy to milk, their immune system will react to it.
Research indicates that beef and dairy products are the most common food allergens in dogs and cats.
How Can I Tell if My Golden Retriever Is Allergic to Milk?
If you think your dog is allergic to milk, you should watch out for these symptoms.
- Swollen face
- Itchy skin (especially near ears, paws, and stomach)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Itchy red bumps on the skin
- Bald patches
Pruritus (medical term for itching) was the main complaint in dogs with food allergies in a study. It also indicated that a reliable diagnosis could be made through an elimination diet.
Another research recommended that for more reliable results, the elimination diet should be given for at least 10 weeks before ruling out a food allergy.
In addition to keeping an eye on your golden retriever for milk allergy symptoms, you must consult your vet, as they will better guide you on the elimination diet.
They may also prescribe some medication to help your dog feel better before anything is diagnosed and the right treatment is started, usually making changes to their diet to prevent them from having dairy products in the case of suspected milk/dairy allergy.
If your golden retriever shows any life-threatening symptoms, which are rare, like difficulty breathing, immediately take them to an emergency animal hospital right away.
Summary: To determine if a golden retriever is allergic to milk, observe symptoms like swollen face, itchy skin, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and itchy red bumps. An elimination diet, typically for 10 weeks, is recommended for a reliable diagnosis.
What Kind of Milk Can Dogs Drink?
Since there are a variety of plant-based milk and even lactose-free milk available on the market, you may wonder if they are safe for your dog.
Although they won’t lead to lactose intolerance since they won’t have any lactose, there may be other allergens that may not be good for your dog.
In addition, keep in mind that they still are high in calories and fats, which can lead to weight gain.
Moreover, some versions may contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol which can be toxic for your golden retriever.
Pick the unsweetened and plain version of plant-based milk and carefully read the ingredients before giving anything to your dog. Let’s look at the different versions of milk one by one. (For nutritional comparison, we will use this for reference)
Can Dogs Drink Almond Milk?
According to the AKC, more than one or two almonds can cause an upset stomach in your dog, and they may experience symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and lethargy.
Moreover, they are also high in fats and can cause obesity and pancreatitis.
However, almond milk contains only 30 calories per cup, which is the least amount of calories compared to soy, coconut, and oat milk.
Sweetened versions of almond milk (in fact, any sweetened plant-based milk) may contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Hence, you can feed plain, unsweetened almond milk to your golden retriever, but only occasionally and just a few tablespoons.
However, do read the ingredients list that your dog may be allergic to or ingredients that may be toxic to them.
Summary: Dogs can consume plain, unsweetened almond milk in small quantities occasionally, as it’s low in calories but avoid sweetened versions due to added sugars or artificial sweeteners. Always check ingredients for potential allergens or toxins.
Can Dogs Drink Oat Milk?
Generally, oats are a great alternative carb for dogs allergic to wheat or grains. They are also an ideal source of fiber and contain some essential nutrients for their overall well-being.
RELATED: Should Golden Retrievers Eat Grain-Free?
Oat milk contains 130 calories per cup, which is the highest amount of calories compared to soy, almond, and coconut milk.
You can give your dog plain, unsweetened oat milk from time to time and only in small quantities.
Too much of it can lead to digestive upset with symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting.
Summary: Dogs can have plain, unsweetened oat milk in small, occasional quantities. Oat milk is high in calories compared to other plant-based milks and excessive consumption can cause digestive upset like diarrhea and vomiting.
Can Dogs Drink Coconut Milk?
Although coconut isn’t toxic to dogs and offers various benefits like boosting the immune system, benefiting the skin and coat, and fighting off viruses and inflammation, it contains medium-chain triglycerides (a type of fat) that can cause an upset stomach.
Furthermore, a cup of coconut milk contains 45 calories, but it’s high in sugars, low in potassium, and has zero protein compared to soy, almond, and oat milk.
As it’s not toxic, your dog can consume coconut milk only in moderation and occasionally. Keep in mind that it doesn’t offer much benefit than other plant-based milk like oat, soy, and almond.
Summary: Dogs can consume coconut milk in moderation and occasionally, as it’s not toxic but high in sugars and low in protein. It offers fewer benefits compared to other plant-based milks.
Can Dogs Drink Soy Milk?
Plain and unsweetened soy milk is generally safe for dogs to drink in moderation and occasionally.
Although soy allergies are rare in dogs, it’s better to err on the side of caution and confirm with your vet if your dog is allergic to soy.
A cup of soy milk contains 80 calories and has the highest level of vitamin D, potassium, and protein compared to coconut, almond, and oat milk.
Summary: Plain, unsweetened soy milk can be safe for dogs in moderation and occasionally, but it’s wise to check for soy allergies. It’s higher in calories, vitamin D, potassium, and protein compared to other plant-based milks.
Can Dogs Drink Lactose-Free Milk?
If you want to give your lactose-intolerant golden retriever lactose-free milk, it won’t harm them as there won’t be any lactose that will cause all the undesirable lactose intolerance symptoms.
However, it must be given in moderation and occasionally because too much of it can still cause obesity and pancreatitis, even if the lactose is removed.
A study on forty adult Springer Spaniels with lactose intolerance concluded that HDL and LDL cholesterol rose in all milk powder groups (cow, goat, and lactose-free), and there were no other differences in the nutritional status. Giving lactose-free milk powder minimized the occurrence of symptoms.
Summary: Lactose-free milk can be given to lactose-intolerant dogs in moderation and occasionally, as it avoids lactose intolerance symptoms but can still lead to obesity and pancreatitis if consumed in excess.
Can Dogs Drink Watered-Down Milk?
“Can I give my dog watered-down milk?” is another common question pet parents ask.
If you dilute regular cow or goat milk with water, it will still have lactose or dairy allergens.
If your dog is allergic to milk or is lactose intolerant, it’s not safe for them to even drink watered-down milk as they can have unpleasant symptoms.
Although milk is high in protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D, it should only be given as an occasional treat if your dog is not allergic to dairy or lactose intolerant.
Only high-quality dog food approved by your vet will ensure they meet their daily nutritional requirements.
Simply feeding plain water to your golden retriever will be your best bet.
If you think adding milk will make water tastier and increase their water intake, you can instead add their one or two favorite treats or mix beef or chicken broth in their water bowl.
Recommended Reading: How Much Water Should a Golden Retriever Puppy Drink?
Summary: Watered-down milk still contains lactose and dairy allergens, so it’s not safe for lactose-intolerant or allergic dogs. Milk should only be an occasional treat for non-allergic dogs, and plain water is generally the best hydration option.
What to Do If Your Dog Drinks Milk?
If your golden retriever drinks milk and they are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk, their symptoms may start showing usually within 12 hours and can last for hours or days.
Remember, even a dog with no dairy allergies or lactose intolerance can have an upset stomach when drinking a large amount of milk.
You may have to help them relieve themselves several times when symptoms start showing.
If you start seeing signs of lactose intolerance or dairy allergy, you must not wait and call your vet immediately to help your golden retriever feel better and healthy.
Summary: If a lactose intolerant or milk-allergic golden retriever drinks milk, symptoms may appear within 12 hours. Even non-allergic dogs can get upset stomachs from too much milk. Contact a vet immediately for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can golden retrievers drink tea?
Golden retrievers can’t and shouldn’t drink tea, coffee, or even decaf coffee as it contains caffeine. A sip or two from your cup of tea or coffee might not lead to toxicity, but if they drink more, you must immediately call your vet and take them to your nearest emergency facility.
2. Can dogs eat ice cream?
Dogs with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies can’t eat ice cream. Even if they don’t have lactose intolerance or dairy allergies, ice cream is packed with sugar and can lead to obesity. Some ingredients like xylitol or chocolate in ice cream can be toxic to dogs. Hence, it’s better to avoid feeding your dog ice cream.
3. Is egg good for dogs?
Organic eggs are good for dogs as they are rich in protein, vitamins, and fatty acids. They can be fed only one egg per day and must be boiled or cooked without any oil, butter, spices, or additives. However, you must consult your vet before giving your dog eggs to stay on the safe side.
Conclusion
Golden retrievers can drink milk only in moderation and occasionally if they aren’t allergic to dairy or lactose intolerant. Milk should only be considered a treat, not a dietary supplement.
Too much milk for dogs who aren’t allergic to dairy or lactose intolerant can also cause upset stomachs, along with obesity and pancreatitis. Always consult your vet before adding something new to your dog’s diet.
It’s equally crucial for you to switch your golden retriever pup’s diet to adult food at the right time. We recommend reading this article next – When Should My Golden Retriever Puppy Switch To Adult Food?