Can Cockapoos Have Milk?

When you bring a cockapoo into your home, you must invest in some proper dog food. On occasion, though, you may want to treat them to something a bit different. There are many things that dogs can and can’t eat and drink. It’s important to be aware of these because while some are not harmful but just not nutritious, others are poisonous.

What about milk, though? Milk is high in calcium, which is good for human bones, and dogs need calcium too. Before you consider giving your dog any milk, there are some things you need to consider first.

Is Milk Bad For Cockapoos?

The answer to this question is it depends. The biggest issue with milk is that some dogs and cockapoos can be lactose intolerant, like humans. While some experience symptoms are not as severe, others can have serious reactions to dairy products like milk. Even if your dog seems okay eating cheese and other dairy products, you must exercise caution with milk.

Milk contains a much higher level of lactose than other dairy products. While cheese and yoghurt still have lactose present in them, the amount is much lower.

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance

If your dog is lactose intolerant, you’d soon know about it, as some of the symptoms can be a real problem. Especially if you are trying to keep your house clean and tidy. These include:

• Gas
• Abdominal pain
• Loose stools
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting

None of these is mainly present for humans who can verbally express themselves. Imagine your dog experiencing these kinds of symptoms. Not pleasant, right? It can be quite distressing for them.

How Can You Tell If Your Cockapoo is Lactose Intolerant?

While there are no strict tests to tell you if your cockapoo is lactose intolerant, it will be quite obvious based on their reaction to milk. If your cockapoo starts to have any of the symptoms listed above within 30 minutes to 2 hours after having some milk, the chances are that it’s the milk that has caused them, and your pooch is lactose intolerant.

If you really want to find out if they are, therefore, give your four-legged friend a small measure of milk and wait. Don’t be misled into thinking they are not lactose intolerant just because they have had yoghurt or cheese with no adverse side effects. Remember, there is far less lactose in cheese and yoghurt than in milk.

Great Snack Now and Again

Even if your cockapoo is not lactose intolerant, it is still best to avoid giving them milk too often. You may give a small amount at the end of the day after a meal or every other day. Symptoms of lactose intolerance can still develop even if your dog is initially okay with milk.

Conclusion

While drinking milk is not lethal for a cockapoo, even one with lactose intolerance, the symptoms are still unpleasant enough that you should avoid giving it to your dog to drink. If you intend to give milk to your dog, remember to be careful with how much you give him or her. If they show signs of intolerance, there is no real treatment – other than keeping their diet bland with plenty of fresh water until their body settles.

Still after some more reading? Check out our article on whether cockapoos can eat pasta or not.