Have you heard that pets could be lactose intolerant? This is true, so when searching for dairy-free solutions for your furry friend be sure to read this article first.
As a pet owner, you likely know that cats and dogs don't possess the enzyme necessary to break down sugars found in cow's milk, yet we continue to indulge them with cheese or even lick off one of those ice-cream cones despite this truth. When our animals appear comfortable consuming dairy products such as plain yogurt or cheese which contain lower levels of lactose and digest more easily than pure milk we tend to assume they're comfortable consuming dairy too - wrong! According to American Kennel Club research some breeds thought of as lactose intolerant may actually tolerate certain forms such as plain yogurt which contain lower levels of lactose which makes digestibility better while pure milk contains higher concentrations of lactose which makes absorption worse!
Experts agree that feeding small amounts from time to time won't harm any dog; however, those with sensitive GI systems could experience diarrhea, bloat and gas. These side effects are compounded when combined with breeds which are predisposed to pancreatitis - even small amounts of dairy fat may trigger an outbreak which requires costly treatment and could even become life-threatening.
With so much dairy available at local grocery stores to be consumed by humans, do we also need to consider it's safety for pets' consumption? Let's have a closer look.
Soy Milk
While soy is one of the more frequently used ingredients in dry dog food, it is also one of the more frequently occurring allergens for dogs. If soy has not caused any adverse reactions for your pup, try offering soy milk instead of cow's milk from time to time as an excellent source of protein and LDL reduction.
Almond Milk
Made with raw almonds and fresh water, almond milk offers an alternative dairy product with lower calories than conventional milk and no animal fats; making it a nutritious treat your animal will adore! However, its main downside may be its caloric density: elderly or overweight animals might find this too tempting; cold plain water might be more suitable as a means of keeping their cool and hydration without adding additional calories; if opting for almond milk be sure it's unsweetened or flavoured before giving it as it could add extra sugars that can lead to weight gain issues in older or overweight individuals - just remember not sweetened or flavoured varieties!
Rice Milk
We've all experienced how rice water draining off can be an effective remedy for dogs suffering from diarrhea. What does that entail, exactly? Does that mean they can consume rice milk instead of just plain water? Rice milk is more digestible than soymilk and less acidic than almond or cashew, making it less likely to increase blood sugar levels as any alternative might; but as with anything alternative to plain water it does contain calories; in particular white rice has an elevated glycemic index than brown varieties which causes blood sugar levels to spike; yes you could consume it; just don't expect an entire bowlful!
Cashew Milk
Like almond milk, cashew milk is made by mixing raw nuts with unprocessed water to produce its "milk". Because dogs can safely consume cashew nuts in small quantities, its "milk" makes an ideal beverage choice. As with any dairy alternative, when giving cashew milk to your pet make sure you opt for non-sweetened version as it won't generate as much excitement from them as do animal chew toys or treats would. Choose treats wisely!
Although we're mostly discussing alternatives to cow's milk, it would be prudent to also consider this option; nuts-milk offers many of the same health advantages while being lactose-free.
Lactose-Free Milk
When selecting dairy products for your pet's digestion, lactose-free items are typically the best choice. When feeding cheese or ice cream to them as treats or other dairy-based items such as soy and nut alternatives (ie: not every day and portion control being important (less than 1/4 cup).
Important to remember when feeding dairy-free alternatives to your pet is moderation: only give small portions at one time and don't fill your cereal bowl or ice cream container fully with food from these alternatives. Also make sure all of the ingredients listed for any milk product contain no surprise elements such as macadamia nuts or avocado, which could otherwise be present due to contamination with cow's milk products on the market; ensure your knowledge about this subject matters thoroughly so you are as informed about them as possible for your own pet's wellbeing as possible when feeding dairy alternatives are beneficial!
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