Photo by: The Asheville Humane Society

Is it safe to give milk to a dog? A few weeks ago I was trying to think of a new treat I could give my dog. I started thinking about cats and how they drink milk, so I decided I could give it to her. As a dog owner I am always trying to think of new treats that will mix it up a little, and milk seemed like a good idea. Then I started thinking about if it was safe for her.

Some dogs lack the enzyme beta lactamase. This enzyme helps the digestive system break down "lactose" the sugar that is in milk. Because some dogs lack this enzyme they are lactose intolerant, but some dogs are not.

Therefore, it is okay to give your dog a small amount of milk to check their reaction to it. If they end up having diarrhea or vomiting, then it's a safe bet that your dog may be lactose intolerant. If they don't have any discomfort it is okay to give your dog small amounts of milk once in a while for a treat.