Many pet owners wonder if condensed milk is safe for their dogs to consume. That’s right, they can have it, but it’s not healthy for them to do so. Because of the high sugar content, drinking condensed milk can lead to stomachaches and, in the long run, diabetes and other conditions related to sugar consumption.
What is Condensed Milk?
Cow’s milk is the main ingredient in condensed milk, which is simply evaporated milk with sugar added. Popular in the kitchen, it comes in convenient tins and imparts a concentrated creaminess and sweet, milky flavor to whatever it is added to, though it lacks the fluidity of regular milk. Even on its own, it has a fan base among some.
Can Dogs Have Condensed Milk?
Canines can safely consume sweetened condensed milk, to put it briefly. Although giving your dog condensed milk is not going to poison or harm them, it also won’t do them much good.
It’s fine to treat your dog every once in a while, but making it a regular occurrence isn’t good for them.
Can Puppies Have Condensed Milk?
Condensed milk is not a good idea for puppies. Puppies under a year old should be fed either their mother’s milk or a milk replacer, but if neither is available, regular cow’s or oat milk can be used as a substitute.
Why is Condensed Milk Bad For Dogs?
The high levels of sugar in condensed milk can lead to a variety of health issues. Let’s check out their characteristics.
Upset Stomach
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, giving it condensed milk may cause temporary symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
However, if it goes away in a day or two and there are no other symptoms, it’s probably nothing to worry about; however, we wouldn’t recommend giving it to your dog again.
Lactose Intolerance
Dogs, much like people, can develop sensitivities to various substances, including lactose. Dogs often suffer from this kind of allergy.
Constipation is one of the most common symptoms, along with nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, bloating, flatulence, weakness, and weight loss.
These symptoms usually begin within 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating a lactose-containing food, and may be accompanied by erratic or clingy behavior.
If you suspect that your dog is lactose intolerant, you should consult your veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis before eliminating lactose from your dog’s diet.
Weight Gain
When dogs put on extra pounds from eating too much sugar, it raises their risk of health problems like heart disease, lowers their exercise tolerance, diminishes their quality of life, and can even make the symptoms of arthritis worse in older dogs.
Diabetes
Extra sugar in a dog’s diet, especially if it’s a regular thing, can make them sick. There may be an increase in appetite, thirst, and urination, as well as a loss of weight for no apparent reason, a pleasant breath odor, and extreme fatigue.
As a result, the risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI) increases, and untreated cases can cause blindness or worse.
Therefore, if you suspect your dog has diabetes, you should take him or her to the vet as soon as possible to have a blood test done. It cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with insulin injections, dietary adjustments, close monitoring, and periodic veterinary examinations.
Does Condensed Milk Have Any Benefits For Dogs?
As with whole milk, condensed milk is an excellent source of calcium, riboflavin, phosphorus, protein, and the vitamins D, B12, and A.
Your dog can get all the nutrients it needs from other, better foods, without the added sugar that condensed milk contains.
How Often Can I Give My Dog Condensed Milk?
If your dog enjoys condensed milk, it is best to only give it to them on rare occasions and in very small amounts, in addition to their regular healthy food.
Condensed milk is fine for dogs in small amounts, but you shouldn’t give your dog more than a few tablespoons per week (depending on their size).
The Differences Between Condensed Milk and Evaporated Milk
The two types of milk, condensed and evaporated, are often used interchangeably. It’s important to understand the distinctions between the two before deciding which is best for your dog.
Condensed Milk
Regular cow’s milk is evaporated to create condensed milk. Manufacturers usually add sugar after removing the water. Evaporated milk is a type of condensed milk that does not contain any sugar.
Due to its sweetness, condensed milk is most often used in baked goods.
Evaporated Milk
A lot of people who have dogs think evaporated milk is the same thing as sweetened condensed milk. Cow’s milk is what we call “evaporated milk,” and it’s just regular milk without any added sugar.
If you want to give your puppy milk, but don’t have any on hand, evaporated milk (full fat) is the best option because it mimics the nutritional profile of mother’s milk without the added sugar.
What Happens When Dogs Have Condensed Milk
Dogs can safely consume condensed milk; however, it is not a healthy food choice. Imagine drinking a sugary beverage like a Frappucino from Starbucks. It’s fine once in a while, but doing it frequently could cause problems.
Immediate Consequences of Dogs Drinking Condensed Milk
When dogs consume condensed milk, diarrhea is the most common side effect. The digestive tract may become inflamed if exposed to sugar in excessive quantities for the first time.
It’s not always critical if a dog has diarrhea or loose stools. In the absence of excessive ingestion, it may fade away quickly.
A dog or puppy’s life is in danger from dehydration, so it’s crucial to contact your vet if they continue to have diarrhea or soft stools.
Milk for Newborn Puppies
When human mother’s milk is not an option, the next best thing is puppy formula or puppy milk. Many pet owners, however, prefer to use alternatives to dam’s milk replacer.
Evaporated Milk
Puppies of about three to four weeks old can start receiving evaporated milk. Puppies usually begin weaning from their mothers’ milk at that age, though it may take up to eight weeks for them to completely stop nursing.
Goat’s Milk
Puppies without access to dam’s milk have the option of drinking goat’s milk instead. However, it contains a lot of lactose, which can be harmful to puppies who are lactose intolerant.Coconut Milk
Although almond milk doesn’t technically fall into the category of “dairy,” it still doesn’t sit well with canines’ stomachs. Furthermore, keep in mind that almonds are relatively high in fat. Some dogs may develop pancreatitis or gain excessive weight after drinking almond milk due to its high fat content.
Soy Milk
Soy is a common ingredient in dog food, and thus, drinking soy milk poses no danger to canine companions of any age. Veterinarians also suggest a protein class called isoflavones for dogs with urinary incontinence, which may help with the problem.
However, soy milk shouldn’t be used in place of other sources of nutrition due to its lack of protein and fat.
Cow’s MIlk
Again, because it’s fortified with nutrients, minerals, and vitamins, puppy milk replacer is preferable to offering dairy products or human foods (like regular cow’s milk, ice cream, or plain yogurt).
Oat Milk
Instead of using cow’s milk, oat milk uses a plant-based alternative. While safe in moderation, prolonged or excessive consumption may cause digestive problems.
When weaning, oat milk can be given to puppies as a lactose-free alternative. Dogs in need of calorie supplementation can take it as well.
Coconut Milk
- Coat, Softer
- Superior Sheen of Fur
- Soothe Itchy Skin
Coconut milk should be given to dogs sparingly because the oils in it can cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea.
Raw Milk
While it’s not recommended for humans, some canines do well on raw milk. Because it hasn’t been pasteurized, raw milk may contain bacteria that can make people sick.
Raw milk is beneficial for dogs because it contains powerful amino acids and nutrients like vitamins and minerals that are lost during the pasteurization process.
Can Dogs Have Regular Milk to Drink?
Dogs can safely consume small amounts of milk, such as a few tablespoons, provided they are not lactose intolerant and do not overindulge. Other milk products, such as yogurt, can also be given to dogs on occasion.
Raw or unpasteurized milk, from which the harmful bacteria have not been removed, is perfectly fine for them to consume, despite being harmful for humans.
Dogs typically aren’t bothered by lactose unless they are particularly sensitive or intolerant. Moreover, pasteurization destroys some of the extra nutrients that are present.
Milk Alternatives For Dogs
In case you’re lactose intolerant, let’s take a look at some non-dairy alternatives and see if they’re safe for canine consumption.
Besides their mothers’ milk, the best food for a growing puppy is puppy formula. All the essential nutrients for growth are there, but it should only be given in the absence of the mother’s milk.
Non-dairy and made from oats, oat milk is an alternative to traditional milk. Small amounts are safe for dogs, and it can be used as a milk replacement for weaning puppies or as a calorie supplement for older dogs. In terms of nutrients comparable to those found in milk, it outperforms other non-dairy options while still being easily digested. On the other hand, long-term consumption of large quantities may cause digestive problems.
Coconut Milk: Coconut milk is great for the skin and coat because it soothes irritation, hydrates dry skin and fur, and makes the hair and skin silky smooth and shiny. As a bonus, it may help strengthen their immune system and give them a breath of fresh air. However, it contains a lot of fat and, if consumed in large quantities or by an intolerant dog, could lead to stomach problems.
Because it is high in protein and contains a few essential amino acids, and because many commercial dog foods also contain soy, feeding soy milk to your dog is perfectly safe. It is a common canine allergy, but the protein isoflavones it contains may help dogs with urinary incontinence, so use caution.
However, dogs with sensitive stomachs should avoid almond milk altogether because it is high in fat and canine digestive systems have trouble processing nuts. It’s important to note that the fat in almond milk can also lead to weight gain and pancreatitis, so it shouldn’t be a regular part of your diet.
In addition to being a tasty treat, rice milk may also help dogs with stomach upset. It’s a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin B1, and vitamin D. But when compared to other non-dairy milk options, it has a lot of added sugar.
Can Dogs Have Condensed Milk? Yes, but…
Only human beings should eat human foods. Dogs shouldn’t eat human food, including milk. A small amount of human milk probably won’t hurt your dog, but it’s not the healthiest option.
Rather than using regular cow’s milk or an alternative milk like coconut milk, it is best to use products made for dogs before introducing solid food.