Can Dogs Have Oat Milk?

Dogs are generally known to be lactose intolerant but can dog have oat milk? Plant-based diets are all the rage these days especially with the benefits that you get from committing to them. Is this the case for dogs though? Can they benefit as much from drinking none dairy milk like people do?

In short, dogs can drink oat milk without any problems. It is a good substitute for dairy products made from oats which are healthy for dogs. Care needs to be taken to make this a once in a while treat and not a regular part of a Dog’s diet unless they are on a liquid diet.

Dogs start off their lives on milk as the only way through which they receive the necessary nutrients to grow up until they are 8 weeks old. At this point, they are weaned off milk and transition to a diet of solids. As they grow, they build a lactose intolerance. In some dogs, it is so extreme that they cannot take any dairy products without negative effects.

Plant-Based Dairy Milk Alternatives

Plant based milk alternatives offer lactose-free alternatives to milk for humans and canines alike. They are a safe way for the majority of dogs to consume milk without the risk of the negative side effects associated with animal milk. Oat milk is one of the options which fall under this categorization. So, what exactly is oat milk?

What Exactly is Oat milk?

Oat milk is plant-based milk that is made using oats. Unlike most plant-based milk like coconut milk, almond milk, and others which were developed centuries ago, Coconut was developed in a lab in 1990 by a scientist.

Since then, it has grown in use and popularity especially in the present day and age where plant-based nutrition is the rave. Oat milk is made by mixing rolled oats with water then straining the mixture leaving the pulp behind.

You can make your own homemade oat milk by following a simple process. You can find ways to do this online. The oat milk you find in stores is usually fortified with Vitamins and Other Nutrients.

Can dogs Drink Oat milk?

Dogs definitely can drink oat milk. Oatmeal milk is great for dogs in a lot of ways. Not only is it good for ingesting, but it is also used in dog products such as shampoo. Dog shampoos made from oatmeal are great for soothing skin irritations.

Should I Give My Dog Store-Bought Oat Milk?

We’ve established that your dog can drink oat milk but should you give it to them? This is a question worth looking into. Though oat milk is basically good for your dog, it should only be given to your dog every once in a while.

Giving them oat milk once a week should be sufficient for your dog. There are special situations that may call for it. One such case is if your dog is on a strict liquid diet due to liver damage. In such situations, you can give them oat milk but also give them other fluids to balance their diet.

What are the Risks of Giving My Dog Oat Milk?

Are there any risks associated with giving your dog oat milk? Though it is generally safe to consume, we need to point out a few scenarios which may complicate things.

When you make your oat milk at home, you know that it is 100% natural. When you buy oat milk from the store though, it will come with some things added to it.

I’ve already mentioned that it comes with some vitamins added. Another thing that some brands add is sugar or artificial sweetener. This presents a problem for dogs.

One of the artificial sweeteners which are used on the market is xylitol. Xylitol is lethal to dogs. Even in very small doses, it is capable of killing your dog or, in the least, cause liver damage or seizures.

The point we are driving here is that you need to know what exactly is in any store-bought oat milk before you go ahead and give it to your dog. If you want to be 100% safe and not put your dog at risk, you can make your own oat milk at home. That way, you know exactly what it contains and will not put your dog at risk.

Another thing worth mentioning again is that you give your dog oat milk in very moderate amounts. If you give them too much, you may overwhelm their digestive system which can lead to indigestion.

Conclusion

Oat milk, on its own, is great for your dog. It is a safe alternative to dairy milk as it will not trigger lactose intolerance and the associated side effects. The good thing about it is you can easily learn how to make your own home made version so that you know exactly what goes into it.