Whether or not your Dachshund can drink milk isn’t so obvious, after all, they drink plenty of their mother’s milk, right? This article explains how age impacts their ability to drink milk, as well as the different kinds of milk your Dachshund might be able to drink.
In general, adult Dachshunds should avoid drinking milk. Most Dachshunds are lactose intolerant and have difficulty digesting dairy products. Dairy can cause upset stomachs, eating issues, and gas issues.
Why Most Dachshunds Shouldn’t Drink Milk
Ok, so let’s explain why your Dachshund probably shouldn’t drink milk, And the confusion surrounding this question.
When your Dachshund is still consuming his mother’s milk, which is usually in the first 3-4 weeks of his life, his body will actively produce an enzyme called LACTASE. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down the sugars found in milk, called lactose.
The issue arises when puppies are weaned off their mother’s milk. Their bodies naturally stop producing the much-needed lactase enzyme and therefore decreases their ability to properly digest the sugars in milk. Effectively making them lactose-intolerant.
This happens to practically all puppies of all breeds. So although most dogs grow up to love milk, the vast majority won’t be able to digest it properly.
It is important to mention, though, that not every single dog ends up being lactose intolerant. Some will luckily continue to be able to digest dairy without issues.
How To Know If Your Dachshund Is Lactose Intolerant
Some Dachshunds tolerate dairy products better than others and some may not actually be lactose-intolerant. Although unlikely, there’s still that possibility.
Typical signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance:
● Diarrhea
● Vomiting
● Toilet accidents
● Flatulence
● Bloating
● General discomfort, looking and acting unusual
● Dehydration
● Increased thirst
● Weakness or lethargy
The most reliable time to spot these signs would be shortly after your Dachshund has consumed any kind of dairy product.
Sometimes, these signs can be hard to spot, and they are also common signs of other health issues, so it’s important to take them into context and think about whether or not your Dachshund has recently consumed milk, cheese, ice cream, or other dairy products.
If you notice these symptoms coming from your Dachshund, it could suggest an array of other health issues too, so always be ready to call your veterinarian.
Other Popular Dachshund Articles:
Why Dachshunds Can Become Fat (And What To Do)
Ways Your Dachshund Is Showing Your Affection
Can Dachshund Puppies Drink Fresh Milk?
For a newborn Dachshund, the best thing he can consume is his mother’s milk direct from her. It contains exactly what the puppy needs in the right amounts. Nothing beats it.
Cows milk or goat’s milk, is nowhere near as nutritious as his mother’s milk, so it should not be used as an alternative if his mother is present and capable of producing milk.
And like mentioned before, most puppies only consume milk for the first 3-4 weeks of their life, at this stage, they need to be slowly weaned onto puppy food.
● Are there alternatives to mother’s milk? Veterinarians recommend special milk replacers formulated for puppies that contain a high amount of essential fatty acids, amino acids, and calcium. This is closest to what the mother’s milk would have been like and is, therefore, the best alternative.
Is Milk Good For Dachshunds?
So, what if your Dachshund tolerates milk without any issues… can he benefit from drinking milk?
Only if your Dachshund appears to be completely fine after consuming milk, he may be able to benefit from a little milk every now and then. Milk contains valuable vitamin D, vitamin B12, essential fatty acids, protein, and calcium. All of which are excellent for Dachshunds of all ages.
However, if your Dachshund does experience negative issues, even slightly, then it’s not worth it just for the small amount of nutritional gain he will receive from the milk. Remember that he can easily receive these vitamins, minerals, and calories from other sources.
Can Dachshunds Drink Almond Milk?
Almond milk is perhaps the most popular non-dairy milk on the market, and it’s known for having numerous health benefits, at least for us. But what about your Dachshund? Let’s find out.
According to Dr. Merliza Cabriles, DVM, dogs can technically consume almond milk, but it’s not a recommended product for them, especially puppies.
Technically speaking, as long as the almond milk does not contain any other nut traces, or additional ingredients like chocolate or flavorings, then plain natural almond milk can be consumed by dogs.
Remember that some individual Dachshunds may not get along with it anyway.
The main issue is that almond milk is made with nuts. And although almonds are considered “safe” for dogs, there are many other nuts that are not safe, and even toxic for dogs.
Most factories that produce one nut product usually produces many others (using different nuts). This is why you nearly always see “may contain traces of nuts” on the labels. This doesn’t specify which nuts, so it becomes a risk.
When you consider the possibility of other problematic ingredients being contained aside from toxic nuts, the reward doesn’t outweigh the risk. And so to play it safe, your Dachshund should probably not consume almond milk, even if technically, he can.
⭐ If you want to try a specific brand of almond milk, it’s your call, but it’s advised to speak to your veterinarian first.
Can Miniature Dachshunds Drink Milk?
The answer remains the same for miniature dachshunds too.
After a miniature Dachshund is weaned of his mother’s milk, his body will most likely stop producing an enzyme called lactase, which is responsible for properly digesting lactose (the sugar in milk). When the sugar can’t be digested properly it causes many issues for the stomach and colon.
Some miniature Dachshunds can tolerate dairy products even after having been weaned off their mother’s milk, but this is admittedly very uncommon.
If your Miniature Dachshund shows even the slightest signs of discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, or flatulence after having consumed dairy, then he likely suffers from lactose intolerance.
Many Foods & Dog Treats Contain Dairy
Something else to be aware of is how many dog foods and dog treats contain dairy. In fact, it’s harder to find food and treats that don’t contain dairy!
Unfortunately, this adds to the forever-growing issue of dogs with sensitive stomachs. So if your Dachshund is struggling with his kibble, or is consistently not getting on well with his treats, it could suggest that it’s the dairy causing the issue.
Always check the labels to see whether dairy is contained or not, and if it is, how far up the ingredient list is it? Sometimes dairy ingredients will be way down the list which usually means it’s an insignificant amount, but sometimes it might be near the top.
It’s worth keeping in mind!
Other Popular Dachshund Articles on The Puppy Mag:
How To Brush Your Dachshund’s Teeth (Easy Steps)
Do Dachshunds Get Cold Easily? What Every Owner Should Know
Last Thoughts
Although a very small amount of Dachshunds will be able to consume milk without issues, the vast majority won’t, and should therefore avoid it.
When it comes to puppies, their bodies are much better prepared to consume milk, as they actively produce an enzyme called lactase, which helps to break down the sugars in milk. But after a puppy is weaned off his mothers’ milk, his body will likely stop producing this enzyme.
Mother’s milk is far more nutritious than regular cow milk or goat milk. If your Dachshund puppy doesn’t have access to his mother’s milk, then a specially formulated milk replacement is the next best thing.
Thank you for reading! I hope your questions were answered, but if you have any more, please let me know, as I am always happy to help and respond to my readers. All the best, Harry.