Most dogs are fond of milk, but is it a safe treat? Not really, because milk contains lactose and casein: two substances that are detrimental to your dog’s health. A few licks from your cup won’t hurt, but it should only be given to your dog in moderation.
You need lactase to digest lactose in dairy products. This enzyme binds to lactose in order to break it down into digestible particles. Adult dogs do not produce this enzyme, making them unable to digest dairy products.
If the quantity of undigested milk in your dog’s large intestine ends up too high, lactose will ferment. This can cause your dog to experience abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Milk also contains casein, a protein that is only found in milk and dairy products. This substance can fatigue your dog and cause constipation.
Some dairy products are treated in such a way that lactose is almost completely eliminated. These products are safe for your dog:
Yogurt is made by adding bacteria to milk. This causes the milk to ferment and break down a large part of the lactose. A tablespoon of yogurt per day for a 10 kilogram weighing dog ensures strong bones, a strong immune system and a good metabolism.
Greek yogurt is the result of sifting away moisture from plain yogurt. You can occasionally serve your dog a scoop of this nice and creamy yogurt. Pay attention to the lipid content though: some producers add cream to make the Greek yogurt firmer, so fat levels are found off the charts.
Manufacturers add lactic acid bacteria and rennet to milk to produce cottage cheese. The result is a solid dairy product low in lactose. Add a tablespoon of cottage cheese to your dog’s kibble to make them a bit more creamy.
Most hard cheeses contain too much salt and fat for your dog. It won’t hurt to treat your dog to a chunk of cheese every now and then, but you better keep it to a minimum.
This hard cheese contains a lot of calcium, but also a lot of fat: up to 29%! Half a slice of Gouda cheese should therefore be the absolute maximum for a medium-sized dog of 20 kilograms.
Parmesan is the Italian equivalent of the Dutch Gouda cheese: a hard cheese with a fat content of 30%. The lipid content of two cubes of Parmesan for your dog is comparable to a hamburger with bun and sauce for a human being. So to be avoided!
Brie is a famous blue cheese that incorporates bacteria that can disrupt your dog’s intestinal flora. The lipid content of 23% turns this cheese into an unacceptable treat for your dog.
Camembert also contains too much fat and mould that causes your dog’s digestive system to get upset. Enough reason for putting this type of cheese onto our prohibited list.
Whipped cream has a fat content of about 35% and is therefore way too fat for your dog to feast on. Whipped cream often contains added sugars, another risky ingredient that causes digestive problems and obesity in dogs. The dangerous combination of sugar and fat should be convincing enough to avoid spraying whipped cream in your dog’s mouth.
Although goat’s milk is often recommended as an alternative to traditional cow’s milk, there is no specific evidence that goat’s milk is healthier for your dog. Both types contain the same amount of lactose and the same amount of fat. So to avoid as well!
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