Why is Lactose Bad For German Shepherds?
Before we can answer this question, let’s first look at what exactly lactose is. Lactose is a type of sugar that’s found in milk and other milk-based (dairy) products. If your German Shepherd cannot digest lactose, he will be what’s known as lactose intolerant. This condition is not harmful to your dog, but he may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, and excess gas!
Assorted Dairy Products (milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream)
When your German Shepherd drinks milk or a similar dairy product (for example, cream, ice cream, cheese, or yogurt), the lactose requires an enzyme called lactase to digest the food or drink.
German Shepherd puppies have plenty of lactase needed to break down their mother’s milk enabling them to get all the nutrients required. However, once they have been weaned from their mother, they produce less and less lactase, and this is the stage where some dogs may develop an intolerance to lactose.
Dairy foods contain varying amounts of lactose (see table below) depending on how the food is processed. For example, most types of cheese are quite low as when processing the milk into cheese, the amount of lactose is reduced.
German Shepherds also have varying degrees of lactose intolerance. All dogs are different. For example, my German Shepherd enjoys the occasional very small bowl of milk, equivalent to a few tablespoons. However, a few licks of heavy whipping cream cause her to suffer from tummy troubles within a few hours!
Your dog may also display a varying degree of tolerability if the milk product is consumed with other foods. For example, a spoonful or two of yogurt on top of your dog’s food may not cause any GI upset, whereas the same quantity of yogurt eaten alone might be enough to cause excessive gas or diarrhea. Also, it’s worth noting that different brands of dairy foods may have different effects on your dog.
My German Shepherd loves a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt on top of her food. Yogurt may not cause your dog any problems at all because many of the bacterial strains in yogurt produce lactase, helping in the breakdown of lactose.
The below table shows the lactose content of some dairy foods in grams per 100 grams/ml of the product. This data was compiled courtesy of the US Department of Agriculture:
| MILK PRODUCT | LACTOSE CONTENT |
|---|---|
| Milk, condensed | 10-16 |
| Milk, low fat | 4-5 |
| Milk, whole fat (cow, goat, or sheep) | 4-5 |
| Cream, half and half | 4 |
| Cream, light | 4 |
| Cream, sour | 4 |
| Yogurt, whole milk | 4 |
| Ice-cream | 3-8 |
| Buttermilk | 3-5 |
| Cream, whipping | 3 |
| Yogurt, low fat | 2-7 |
| Cheese, ricotta | 1-5 |
| Cheese, cottage, or cream | 1-3 |
| Cheese, mozzarella | 1-3 |
| Butter | 0.5-1 |
| Cheese, feta | 0.5 |
| Cheese, cheddar | 0.1 |
As you can see from the above table, cheese and some yogurts contain the least amount of lactose. The lower the amount of lactose, the better chance your dog tolerates the food without any distress.
This appears to be quite a common question for dog owners. So, can German Shepherds drink milk? Well, take a look at my German Shepherd in the below photo lapping up some milk!
German Shepherds can drink milk as long as they are not lactose intolerant. Milk is high in calcium, vitamin D, and potassium and as a rich source of high-quality protein, contains all the essential amino acids. However, milk is high in fat and natural sugars, so you should give your dog a small amount.
The nutritional benefits of milk make it good for healthy bones and teeth, and it’s also good for the heart. A few tablespoons of cow’s or goat’s milk once in a while can be a lovely treat for your dog, as you can see in the below photo of my German Shepherd enjoying some milk.
My German Shepherd Willow enjoying a lick of milk!
Nonetheless, some dogs may experience unpleasant reactions to milk, including flatulence, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Learn More On Dogs Drinking Milk from This YouTube Video…Is it OK for Dogs to Drink Milk? ⚠
If you wish to try your German Shepherd with some milk or any other dairy food, you should only give it sparingly. Many dog owners only find out that their dog is lactose intolerant after they’ve fed them milk.
Remember – dairy foods are not an essential part of your German Shepherd’s diet. If you find your dog cannot tolerate even a small amount of milk, it will be an unpleasant experience for both of you!
It’s also interesting to note that the lactose content of milk is also not greatly affected by heat or fat content. For example, whole fat milk contains the same amount of lactose as low-fat milk.
Many dairy foods, for example, whole fat milk and cheese, may also contain too much fat, which can also lead to diarrhea and vomiting. German Shepherd dogs are known to have sensitive stomachs, and repeatedly eating high-fat foods may also lead to pancreatitis, a potentially serious disease.
High-fat foods can also lead to obesity – especially if your dog is inactive or elderly. You may also find that your German Shepherd is allergic to the protein in milk, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and itchy red skin.
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What Happens if I Give My German Shepherd Milk?
Without lactase, it’s fairly impossible to breakdown cow milk. Ingesting milk can cause a slew of problems for your dogs that will typically show up within the first 12 hours.
If your German Shepherd is lactose intolerant, you will likely see the following happen:
As you can see, giving your dog a bowl of milk or letting him consume too much dairy can have quite an impact on his health and happiness. Therefore:
Another problem with cow’s milk and dairy products is the high-fat content.
When a dog consumes too much milk or dairy, the fat present in these products can cause vomiting and diarrhea to worsen, leaving your pet in more pain than he was in before.
If you continue to serve your dog milk and other dairy products on a regular basis, the high-fat content will begin to cause stress on the pancreas.
Consistent consumption of dairy and milk can lead to pancreatitis in a fairly short period of time. This is just another reason why dairy should be avoided at all costs.
For some dogs, the high-fat content of milk and dairy products can lead to obesity.
The best way to ensure your German Shepherd stays strong and healthy is to simply avoid giving them any milk or dairy products whatsoever. There are far better options for treats and meals that won’t leave their stomachs in distress or cause major issues like obesity and pancreatitis.
Can German Shepherds Drink Lactose-Free Milk?
German Shepherds can drink lactose-free milk. However, milk isn’t a necessary part of your dog’s diet, but he will come to no harm should you decide to let him have a few tablespoonfuls. Alternative dairy-similar products include lactose-free milk, almond milk, and soy milk.
Several varieties of lactose-free milk and lactose-free dairy available may be suitable for your German Shepherd. However, when choosing a non-dairy milk substitute, bear in mind that many lactose-free products contain added ingredients, e.g., sweeteners, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
If you decide to try your dog with almond milk, you will need to experiment first with a tiny amount. Soy milk products are generally safe for most dogs. However, excessive amounts are not recommended:
Soy milk is also high in calories and sugar, leading to weight gain and tooth decay. You must also carefully check the ingredients and make sure the product does not contain xylitol (sweetener) which is poisonous to dogs.
Remember, if you wish to feed lactose-free dairy foods to your German Shepherd, only feed small amounts in moderation, and make sure you speak to your vet if you have any questions or concerns about any lactose-free products.
My take on the subject is this – there would have to be a perfect reason why I would want to feed my dog lactose-free foods as your dog will thrive perfectly well on a healthy diet suitable for a German Shepherd without them. Just my two cents worth!
Can German Shepherds Drink Milk? Why Dogs & Dairy Don’t Mix
Your dog is looking at you with big begging eyes while you are consuming Milk. You are willing to share Milk with your darling fur ball but have a question in mind about whether Milk is good for pups or not.
Parents favor providing human food when it’s about serving the German shepherd with a treat. Most of the time, it’s okay, but some items are not suitable for German Shepherds.
Can German Shepherds drink Milk? NO, Milk is not a suitable item for the German Shepherds because they are lactose intolerant, like other dog breeds. Even ingestion of cow’s milk causes diarrhea along with vomiting and stools. But, offering alternative Milk such as almond milk, soy milk, and other lactose-free Milk is suitable for German Shepherds. Moreover, some other dairy products such as yogurt and cheese are allowed for German Shepherds but in a limited amount.
I believe that as a pet parent, a pup’s safety includes in your top priorities. Therefore, you must know that why serving Milk to a German shepherd is not a good choice.
At the same time, you must know about the suitable alternatives as a treat for your German shepherd. Proper research is always a good approach before adding or excluding food items into the diet of your pup.