There are may types of milk and individual dogs can respond differently to drinking certain types of milk. In general while it is not an immediate problem if your Maltese dog has lapped up some cows milk it is not advisable that cows milk be part of there usual diet. There are many different types of milks to consider though and each milk will not have the same effect on your dog. There are also specially designed puppy milk products to provide a substitute for the Maltese puppy’s mum breast milk when that is not an option. This article will look into how the different types of Milks can affect your Maltese puppy and what can be used as a breast milk substitute for your young Maltese pup.
Its important to note that some milks such as Almond milk may have additional sweeteners added to them due to the bland taste of natural almond milk. These sweeteners can actually be very toxic to your dogs. Never give a sweetened milk to a Maltese dog as it can make them very sick and can be fatal. if you suspect your dog has had a milk which containers a sweetener check with your vet immediately.
Can Maltese Puppies Drink Cows Milk ?
The most commonly consumed milk by people is cows milk, whether that be full fat, half fat or skim. This is therefore the most likely milk that may have been consumed by a Maltese puppy. The good thing is that it is OK for a Maltese puppy to drink cows milk as long as it is not a regular occurrence Some Maltese dogs can have an intolerance to lactose and more concerning is that some dogs can be allergic to dairy products. If your dog is lactose intolerant it means they their digestive system will have a lot of problems breaking down the lactose which is a sugar found in dairy. If your Maltese dog has an allergy to the milk there will be a reaction to the milk being consumed. The general rule given by most vets to decide if your Maltese dog is intolerant to a food source or is allergic is that allergies will result in red itchy skin and an intolerance will usually involve only issues with the digestive system such as diarrhoea What that reaction is can be very similar to the signs of lactose intolerance, but regardless its probably best to not let your Maltese puppy consume cows milk as a general rule.
Is Milk Bad for Maltese dogs?
If the milk you are giving your Maltese puppy is not a puppy milk then its not the best thing to give them. It more than likely that it will not causes any issues in small doses on irregular consumption but its still not advisable to give your Maltese dog milk.
One of the concerns with milk is that it is full of fats and sugars which can lead to obesity in Maltese dogs if they regularly consume it. Obesity in dogs can lead to a lot more serious health concerns over the lifetime of the dog and will result in a shorter lifespan.
Is Milk Good For Maltese dogs?
People are told they should consume some dairy and think that their Maltese should as well. Other people have heard that dairy products are good for dogs, and Maltese love to eat cheese. The answer is that if your dog does not have lactose intolerance then Milk can provide some nutrients such as proteins, calcium and vitamins. Your dog will naturally get these from their dog food though so there is no reason to go out of your way to give them milk. It can be given as a treat if your dog likes it and is not lactose intolerant. But keep it in moderation as Milk is full of fats and sugars.
What are the symptoms if a Maltese dog is Lactose Intolerant ?
If your Maltese dog has lactose intolerance it will have the following symptoms on the consumption of even a small amount of milk (a few teaspoons):
- Loose stool or Diarrhea
- Gas / Flatulence
- Unable to get comfortable due to abdominal pain
These systems will occur over the 24 hours after the dog has had a drink of milk. The problem happens because dogs milk from a Maltese dog is very low in lactose but cows milk is very high in lactose. The extra lactose in the cows milk will impact a Maltese puppies delicate digestive system and can throw it out of whack. This will result in the symptoms above as the lactose is not able to be processed by the body.
Keep in mind that even a dog which is lactose tolerant will show the above symptoms if they drink too much milk as the excessive lactose will not be able to be digested by the Maltese dogs system.
Can Maltese dogs drink Goats Milk ?
Goats milk is the latest fad to arrive in peoples fridges. This means that there are an increase of people starting to give their dogs goats milk to drink. In general goats milk is fairly similar to cows milk in that it contains lactose but its just a slightly smaller amount then cows milk. Goats milk is also higher in calcium and potassium. There has been some debate on whether goats milk components are easier for a dog to process as it has a lot less fat and has different vitamins. The bottom line is it still contains lactose so its likely to cause lactose intolerant dogs the same effect and in larger quantities of milk consumption the lactose will also affect lactose tolerant Maltese dogs.
The recommendation from vets is goats milk is safe in small quantities but it should not be given often and its best to steer clear of both goats milk and cows milk. If you have a Maltese dogs who loves cows milk and are looking for a slightly lower lactose milk then you can try goats milk but remember to keep it to the rare occasion and as a small treat only.
Can Maltese dogs drink Almond Milk ?
Nuts in general are never a good idea to give to your Maltese dog. Nuts can be toxic to dogs such as the macadamia nut. Almond milk is also very high in fats which can be hard on your dogs digestive system and can lead to obesity and other health conditions. If your dog has accidentally drank Almond milk then keep an eye on them for any signs of toxicity such as lethargy, being uncomfortable and restless, unable to stand, dizziness and vomiting If you see any of these signs take your Maltese directly to the vet. As a precaution the preference should be not to give your Maltese puppy almond milk. There is no reason you need to risk their health for milk.
Can Maltese dogs drink Soy Milk?
Soy milk is a plant based milk which contains a protein called isoflavones. These are known to be beneficial for humans as they reduce cholesterol and can be beneficial against some cancers. Whether or not any of the benefits are applicable to Maltese dogs is debatable There is some studies that show that soy can work to reduce urinary incontinence in dogs.
Research suggests that Maltese puppies can digest soy milk easier than cows milk. This makes it a much better alternative to cows milk as a milk product. Even dog foods can contain a moderate amount of soy as a filler. There are also soy supplements which vets will recommend for certain health issues for Maltese dogs. So Soy Milk is OK to be given to your dog, but as with other milk products it should only be done as a treat and in small quantities.
Which Milk Types can be toxic for Maltese dogs?
If you have skipped to this section you can find out more about the deadly milk types above but there are at least 2 types of milk which can be very toxic for dogs:
- Milk based off nuts such as Almond Milk
- Milk with sweeteners
Both of these types of milks should never be given to your Maltese dog. Milk created with nuts can cause allergic reactions that can be fatal in puppies. Be very careful as all milks can have sweeteners added to them but it is especially likely to appear in healthier milks such as soy milk. Sweeteners and some nuts can be extremely toxic and kill your Maltese dog. For this reason it is best to steer clear of most milk for a Maltese puppy.
What milk can I give my Maltese puppy?
A Maltese dogs mothers ilk is always the best milk for a Maltese puppy. But unfortunately this can not always be given as mothers can reject their puppies and some small Maltese puppies need some help to get extra milk and nutrition The reason a Maltese puppies should drink their mothers milk is because it is full of colostrum which is high in protein and antibodies to help the puppy fight off any illnesses and boost their immune system.
There are commercial milk products which are specifically created to replace a Maltese mothers milk for new born puppies. It is important that these are the first choice option for Maltese puppies who do not have access to their mother’s milk. These milk products are created to be much higher in protein and calories with less lactose so that it is much easier to digest compared to cows milk. If you are unsure what product to use then consult your Vet for a recommended milk product for newborn puppies. They will be able to provide you the milk or direct you to the best supplier. Amazon is a great place to source these milk products but a local pet store will also carry them and may be able to provide expert advice in lieu of a vet on the right milk for your Maltese puppy.
There are some studies which have indicated that puppy milk replacements which have a higher concentration of calcium, protein, fats and amino acids are a better substitute then those with lower amounts so take this into consideration when evaluating which product to buy.
How did we go at answering your Maltese dog and Milk Questions?
Did this article answer all your questions on Maltese puppies and milk? Have you had to feed you Maltese puppy milk and found a certain brand or technique works well? are there any other tips you could provide our readers on Maltese dogs and lactose intolerance. If you do have any tips or feedback let us know in the comments so we can add to the article and make it more useful for the readers. We are always striving to develop the more detailed answers to the Maltese dog owners who read our blog.