powdered milk puppies

Is powdered milk good for puppies? (What You Should Know)

July 8, 2022

Yes, powdered milk is good for puppies, moreover, Puppies who are less than six weeks old and still growing need to take special diets because their digestive tracts are still fragile.

Puppies typically feed on milk until they are old enough to stop taking them. If your puppy doesn’t get the right food, it will have problems as it gets older.

Do you have a new puppy and want to know if you can give it milk? Here is all the information you need about puppies and milk. Can you give milk to a puppy?

Quick fact: You should never give your puppy powdered cow’s milk because dogs can’t handle lactose and dairy can make them sick and dehydrated.

According to WebMD, you shouldn’t give your puppy store-bought milk replacers for humans because they can make your puppy sick.

More so, your puppy should only take powdered milk that has been made for them. Moreover, if you’re not sure which puppy formula is best for your dog, you can ask your vet.

Note: It’s best to start weaning your puppy from formula after seven weeks. Once weaning starts, their new drink is water, which is what we usually drink. Just ensure your dog has a bowl of water with your dog at all times. You should never let your dog or any other animal get too thirsty.

Is it okay to feed my puppy powdered milk?

Yes, it is very safe to feed your dog-powered milk, because both canned milk and powdered milk are made from cow’s milk, nevertheless, in different ways. Powdered milk made just for puppies has the right amount of amino acids, minerals, and proteins that puppies need to grow and stay healthy.

Important: Do not feed powdered milk to a puppy less than three weeks old.

Not only can these cow’s milk products upset a puppy’s stomach, but they are also not balanced enough to meet a puppy’s very specific dietary needs.

For canned milk, water has to be taken out, but powdered milk is just dried out. Don’t give your puppy either of these drinks.  

Can Puppies Take Regular Milk?

Yes, but It’s not always easy to take care of a young puppy. After all, you want to do everything you can to make sure the little ball of fluff has everything it needs to grow into a healthy, happy adult dog. Because of this, puppies need to observe very special dietary requirements.

Nursing Puppies

Even though newborn puppies only take milk for the first three weeks of their lives, it’s important to remember that it comes directly from their mother dog, not from a carton in the store.

When the mother isn’t around to breastfeed, you should never give the baby “regular” cow’s milk instead.

 The ASPCA suggests using a puppy-only formula along with a commercial powdered milk replacer on special occasions like this.

Are powdered Milk from cows a good option for your puppy?

No, powdered milk from cows is a terrible idea for puppies. Keep in mind that Dogs and cow’s milk are not a good idea in any way.



The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) warns against giving puppy cow’s milk because it can cause unpleasant and unnecessary stomach upset, like watery, runny poop and a stomach ache. Milk is not an appropriate or safe substitute for a puppy milk replacer, so don’t even think about it.

Adult Dogs

Cow’s milk is usually not good for dogs of any age, even when they are young. The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine says that, like many cats, many dogs’ bodies can’t properly break down lactose, the sugar in milk and other dairy products. Dogs of all ages often get diarrhea after drinking milk, which is a shame.

Water

Once a puppy has stopped drinking his mother’s milk, water is the only healthy drink to give him. The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine says that water is one of the most important things a dog needs to eat, and puppies are no different. 

Make sure your puppy has access to clean water 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Even when your puppy is an adult dog, keep telling him to drink a lot of water every day.

Is Powdered Milk Safe for my puppy?

Before giving a simple “yes” or “no,” it’s important to learn about the risks and benefits of powdered milk for dogs. Only then can you decide if you should give your dog milk or not. What are some signs that a dog shouldn’t drink milk? 

First, your puppy will have loose stools, be full, have gas, and feel sick. It will also have trouble digesting the cow’s milk. Canines have a very short digestive tract, which makes it harder and harder for them to break down the fat in milk.

Most dogs are lactose intolerant because they can’t produce the enzyme lactase, which helps break down milk proteins. 

This makes them more likely to get stomach problems after taking milk and dairy products.

Understanding Lactose intolerant in puppies

Lactose is made up of two different types of sugar and can be found in milk and other dairy products. For your puppy to be able to digest dairy, it must be able to break down lactose into two easy-to-digest sugar molecules.

For this, your puppy has to be able to make something called Lactase, which is a special enzyme. 

The scary part is that most dogs can’t make this important enzyme that breaks down lactose and makes it easier for them to digest dairy products.

If the dog doesn’t have “Lactase,” it can get stomach problems. This is often called being “lactose intolerant.” Lactose intolerance is a significant condition that can also happen to humans.

But some dogs not only like their daily bowl of milk, but they are also able to digest it well and don’t have problems with their intestines.

When does it become important to stay away from all products made with milk?


Even small signs of intestinal/digestive problems or gassiness in your puppy should be a wake-up call for you to immediately stop feeding them anything “dairy.” It has also been seen that puppies with gassy stomachs will not eat until the problem goes away. 

If your puppy’s health gets worse, you should talk to a vet. All of this comes down to the fact that your puppy might not break down some foods.

What is the best alternative to powdered cow milk?

Pasteurized goat milk is thought to be the best option for your puppy, This is because it has a very low lactose count and is full of important vitamins like B-complex, K, E, and D. 

On the other hand, some people may want to give their puppy lactose-free cow’s milk, but it’s important to remember that this type of milk has no nutrients. So, giving the dog this kind of milk is a waste of time because it won’t help the dog in almost any way.

Additionally, Soy milk shouldn’t be given to dogs because it has a lot of protein in it, which can cause digestive problems.

How much-powdered milk is safe for my puppy?

A few table-full spoons of powdered milk are suitable and enough for your puppy, nonetheless, your puppy has to be three weeks or older. Additionally, if your vet says you shouldn’t feed your puppy with powdered milk, you can give your dog a few sips of milk as a treat. 

A few tablespoons of milk here and there probably won’t hurt them, but giving them more than that could hurt them in the short and long term.

As with all treats, it’s best to follow the 80/20 rule and ensure your puppy doesn’t get more than 10% of its daily calories from dairy products.

Can my puppy drink almond milk?

No, most puppies cannot take this type of milk because most dogs have trouble digesting them. Almonds are also high in fat, which, if eaten in large amounts, can cause weight gain and pancreatitis. One of the most popular types of plant-based milk is almond milk, but can dogs eat almonds? 

Even though these nuts aren’t harmful to dogs,

However, a couple of tablespoons of almond milk as a special treat should be fine. Ensure to check the list of almond milk’s ingredients to see if it has added sugar or xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is very bad for your puppy.

Can my puppy drink oat milk?

Yes, however, your puppy can only take this type of milk in trace amounts, but it could be hard for them to digest if they drink a lot of it.

Oat milk is not harmful to dogs, hence, it could be a good way to replace lactose for weaning puppies who like the taste or for puppies who need more calories to meet their nutritional needs.

Is powdered milk good for Puppies Conclusion?

The debate on whether to feed your puppy powdered milk or not comes down to what your puppy is used to and if your puppy is lactose intolerant. However, If you have any doubts about your puppy’s health, you should take him or her to a vet right away.

 This article is NOT a replacement for advice from a vet, and you should always follow your vet’s instructions because they are made just for your dog.

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