Can Dogs Drink Oat Milk? Risks and Benefits
In This Article:
What Is Oat Milk? Can Dogs Have Oat Milk? Understanding Lactose Intolerance in Dogs Alternatives to Oat Milk for Dogs
You may have heard that most adult dogs are lactose intolerant. If you happen to suffer from the same, you know that drinking milk or eating other dairy products can cause a lot of gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, some things you don’t want your pup to have to go through. So, instead of sharing your leftover cereal milk with them, you may be looking towards alternatives such as oat milk. Oat milk is safe for dogs in small quantities and does have some nutritional value. But like all other things that are not your dog’s regular diet, oat milk should be fed in moderation only.
What is oat milk?
No, oat milk isn’t made the same way that cow’s milk is. Instead, it’s made by blending oats and then straining the “juice” from the solids. From here it can get a little creative with flavorful additions such as vanilla, cinnamon, or honey. Because oat milk is made from oats, it’s completely lactose-free, nut-free, gluten-free and vegan all at the same time, making it a great option for people (or dogs) with these food allergies or intolerances.
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Nutritional composition of oat milk
Oat milk can provide your dog with some nutritional benefits. When compared to cow’s milk, oat milk is higher in fiber, especially β-glucan, which is known to help lower cholesterol. Though dogs don’t often struggle with high cholesterol, it can help decrease inflammation and boost immune function as well.
Oat milk also contains a fair bit of vitamin E, an antioxidant, and thiamine, which helps with nerve function and cellular growth. It’s higher in iron, potassium, and phosphorus than cow’s milk, and oat milk often contains fewer calories and fat than cow’s milk as well.
Cow’s milk still takes the cake when it comes to protein, vitamin A, and calcium content, with oat milk lacking a lot of essential amino acids and insufficient calcium for growth.
Can dogs have oat milk?
Plain oat milk is safe for dogs to drink if you feel they need some kind of beverage treat. It is by no means a nutritional requirement if they are eating a high-quality dog food.
Benefits of oat milk for dogs
Being lactose free, oat milk won’t give your dog the digestive issues that cow’s milk can. So, with the vomiting, diarrhea, and gas out of the way, your dog is free to enjoy a tasty milk treat with beneficial fiber, anti-inflammatory properties, and a various vitamin and mineral boost.
Another major plus for oat milk is the fewer calories and lower fat. Most dogs don’t need help in the extra weight department, so a lower calorie milk option can help prevent weight gain and obesity with all of its potential complications.
Risks of oat milk for dogs
Again, oat milk is not a nutritional necessity for dogs. If they’re eating a high-quality dog food, their nutritional bases should be covered, so you don’t need to add in any additional calories or fat from treats such as oat milk.
Also, when we say oat milk is safe, we mean plain oat milk. There are flavored varieties out there that can contain extra sugars or flavorings that your dog just doesn’t need or that could be dangerous. Chocolate oat milk is definitely out and so are sugar-free versions that use xylitol as the sweetener.
Even plain oat milk has its limits. Drinking a lot of oat milk, though lactose-free, can still send your dog’s digestive system spiraling due to the fiber content. If your oat milk is sweetened, the sugar content can have the safe effect. Most of the time, your dog will recover from their vomiting and diarrhea within a few days, but be sure to contact your veterinarian if your dog’s signs are severe or they don’t clear up on their own.
Understanding lactose intolerance in dogs
Puppies drink milk, right? So, why is it that adult dogs can’t? Well, puppies are born with the ability to produce the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose, the sugar found in both a mother dog’s milk and cow’s milk. As dogs age, they decrease their lactase production until they are unable to effectively break down lactose found in milk. As lactose moves through the system in its whole form, it causes the symptoms that are familiar to lactose intolerance, mainly abdominal pain, diarrhea, and gas.
Even though puppies do produce lactase, they do so as a means to break down the lactose content that’s in their mother’s milk, which is actually lower than that found in cow’s milk. This means that even puppies can have digestive issues if given cow’s milk, and along with its differing nutritional content, cow’s milk shouldn’t be considered an alternative to dog milk.
Alternatives to oat milk for dogs
Oat milk has a similar color to cow’s milk but has a different taste, meaning your dog may not like it. That’s okay, oat milk isn’t a necessity, and there are many other healthy treat possibilities. If you’re looking for a dairy-like option, consider an occasional dab of plain yogurt or a dog-friendly ice cream.
Otherwise, cooked, lean meats, plain scrambled eggs, or a variety of safe fruits and vegetables are always on the table. Speak to your veterinarian before giving your dog any human foods to make sure they are a safe and healthy choice for them.
Bottom line
Oat milk is a popular alternative to cow’s milk that is lactose-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. It is a better option for dogs that won’t produce tell-tale lactose intolerance signs of abdominal pain, diarrhea and gas when fed in moderation. However, your dog doesn’t need oat milk, so only feed it in moderation and forego any additional flavors or sweetening to ensure it’s as healthy as possible.
References
“Oat milk analogue versus traditional milk: Comprehensive evaluation of scientific evidence for processing techniques and health effects.” Food Chemistry: X. 3 Sep 2023. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10534225/#s0055opens in new tab.
“Translating Human and Animal Model Studies to Dogs’ and Cats’ Veterinary Care: Beta-Glucans Application for Skin Disease, Osteoarthritis, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Management.” Microorganisms. 25 May 2024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11205328/opens in new tab.
Van De Walle, Gavin, MS, RD and Ryan Raman, MS, RD. “How Do You Make Oat Milk? Nutrition, Benefits, and More.” 13 Jul 2023. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/oat-milk#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20an%20older%20study,weaken%20your%20bones%20(%2012%2)opens in new tab.
