For all pet owners out there, the welfare of your furry companions has always been somewhat of a priority. We pamper our precious pets with treats and delights. They receive the utmost love they can ever have.
This being said, a popular question remains. Is it possible for dogs to drink milk, especially non-dairy ones such as oat milk?
We are here to provide the answer for you.
A lot of our canine companions love dairy products. And those puppy eyes don’t make it any easier when we have to say no to them. Dairy products, after all, contain substances in which your furry friend cannot handle well.
What about non-dairy products?
Can dogs handle non-dairy products such as oat milk?
Well, let’s go ahead and delve a little deeper.
What are non-dairy products?
Non-dairy products are products that have protein found in milk but are deprived of actual milk molecules. This means that you will not have to worry about having an upset stomach from drinking or eating these dairy alternatives if you are vegan or lactose-intolerant.
Non-dairy products are made from various dairy alternatives such as nuts, cereals, legumes, seeds, coconut, potato, and avocado. As long as dairy isn’t the main ingredient, then it should easily fall under this category.
With this being said, what can go wrong with having your dogs have some of these?
There is nothing wrong with letting your dogs have non-dairy products every once in a while. Just make sure that it does not contain harmful ingredients to dogs, such as chocolate, macadamia nuts, and avocado.
If you are not careful and accidentally feed them these, your dog might experience many discomforts such as diarrhea, vomiting, and other signs of toxicity.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) also highlights that for your dog’s safety, make sure to check the sugar content or sweeteners being used in the non-dairy product that you are planning to feed your dog. Ensure that it is within normal levels and does not have the substance known as Xylitol.
Xylitol is a common sugar substitute that is especially dangerous for your pets as it can cause low blood sugar and liver injuries harming your dogs in the process. Make sure that the non-dairy product you plan to give your dogs does not have Xylitol in it.
Can dogs drink oat milk?
According to Choice, oat milk is a popular non-dairy milk substitute among those who cannot handle dairy products and those who are vegan. It is mostly made from a mixture of water, oats, and other included nutrients depending on the manufacturer or the recipe.
Since there isn’t anything included in it that can prove harmful to dogs, your dogs should be able to handle drinking it without any problems.
You may be curious if dogs can handle drinking oat milk. Dogs can drink oats milk without any problems or harmful effects. In fact, according to PetMD, oats can even be a good source of nutrition for dogs.
However, keep in mind that even though oat milk isn’t toxic to dogs, you should only give in moderation. This is because if taken in large amounts, your dogs might not be able to digest it properly, resulting in discomforts such as diarrhea and vomiting.
Is oat milk really good for my dog?
If you are still wondering whether oat milk is safe for your dogs or not, well, allow us to help you out further.
Your worries and concerns for the welfare of your dogs are understandable. We all want what’s best for our canine companions and do not wish to make any mistake along the way.
So why exactly is oat milk not bad for dogs?
To help you better understand this matter, allow us to cite the various points as to why oat milk is suitable for your dogs. After that, what you decide to do from there is entirely up to you.
Here are the benefits your dog can gain from oat milk.
1. Low on allergens and irritants
One of the good main points of oat milk is that it is a non-dairy product. This means that the usual number of allergens and irritants you can find on everyday dairy products won’t be present with this alternative.
Milk has always been a no-go when it comes to your dog because most of them are lactose intolerant. This means that when exposed to dairy products such as milk and the like, they experience many different displeasures.
However, with oat milk, your dogs can now enjoy the taste of milk without having to worry about any trouble at all.
2. Good source of fiber and nutrients
Another reason oat milk is excellent for your canine partners is that it is a good fiber source.
Oat milk is basically made and extracted from oats, which are abundant in fiber. And, as we all know, moderate amounts of fiber are suitable for a dog’s bowel movement. So, if your dogs are having bowel irregularity issues, this should help you solve the problem.
Besides that, oat milk is also enriched with various nutrients such as calcium, potassium, and vitamins A and D. Plus, it also contains multiple minerals and antioxidants that are good for your dog’s body.
Things you need to keep in mind when feeding your dogs oat milk
Your dogs are basically your children, so you should be extra careful, especially with the things you provide them with. You need to understand that you will always be directly liable for their health and well-being as a fur parent.
This being said, although oat milk is generally considered as good for your dogs, there are still some things you need to check before giving them this treat. And these things are as follows:
- Ensure that your dog is not allergic to any of the ingredients found in the oat milk you are providing them with.
- Make sure to provide oat milk in moderation. Remember, excessive amounts of oat milk can put your furry friends in a lot of discomforts. Consult with your vet and make sure you have the information you need regarding the amount you should give.
- If you are going for manufactured oat milk, make sure to go for unsweetened ones. Also, check the ingredients carefully whether there is anything on the list that might be harmful to your dogs, such as Xylitol, etc.
As long as you keep these things in mind, your dog should be safe from any harm that would result from drinking oat milk.
Finally, if possible, stay with organic or naturally made oat milk choices if you are insistent on including this in your dog’s diet. This will allow you to make sure that it is indeed safe for your dog’s consumption.
Or better yet, you can make the oat milk yourself. That way, you will know better than anyone what is included in it.
