Signs That Your Dog May Be Lactose Intolerant

Unfortunately, many dogs have adverse reactions to dairy products.

This comes as no surprise because dairy products contain several proteins, fats, sugars, and preservatives, which can make your dog feel very ill. Lactose, a sugar found in milk, is broken down by a vital enzyme called lactase. Keep in mind that lactose intolerance can be confused with a dairy allergy. One important thing to note is that intolerance is not immunological but poses an abnormal physiological response after ingestion.

It is crucial to understand the signs of lactose intolerance outlined below.

Lack of appetite. Your dog may not be eating because they are experiencing nausea from GI issues.

Vomiting. Oddly enough, vomiting can be a common behavior for dogs.

However, it can be alarming if it happens frequently. Dogs that are sensitive to dairy can vomit from changes in their guts.

Diarrhea. This is one of the most common signs of lactose intolerance in dogs. Are you noticing watery or loose stools? If so, your dog may be suffering from lactose intolerance.

Bloating. Dairy can increase the amount of gas in the stomach and large intestines, thus making your dog bloated.

Flatulence. Excessive flatulence could indicate that your dog is lactose intolerant, mainly if it occurs after consuming dairy.

Now that you understand the signs of lactose intolerance and your dog is experiencing any of them, you may wonder what you should do next.

You must confirm that dairy is the problem. To do so, you must eliminate dairy from your dog’s diet and monitor them for a few weeks.

If you notice that the symptoms go away, then lactose intolerance (or an allergy) is present. Therefore, you must eliminate dairy from your dog’s diet. If the symptoms are still present, you must consult your veterinarian to help determine the underlying issue.