29 May Is Eating Whey Good for Dogs or Not?

You may have heard that milk isn’t suitable for most adult dogs, and they can’t digest it properly. Puppies that are breastfed have milk-digesting enzymes in their bodies. As they get older, the amount of these enzymes in the body decreases. Most dogs can eat curd and digest it easily without any particular problems. Now the question is whether eating whey is suitable for dogs? The answer to this question is yes. Whey can be beneficial for them. In this article, we want to see what benefits whey has for dogs, how they should consume it, how much we can give it to our dogs, and what points we should pay attention to. So stay tuned.

Is whey harmful to dogs?

Dogs aren’t allergic to milk and dairy products but to a type of sugar called lactose in milk. When we ferment milk to make some dairy products, such as whey, lactose is converted to other substances, making it much better and more accessible for dogs to digest. The longer the fermentation time, the lower the amount of lactic acid. So dairy products low in lactic acid (like whey or cheese) don’t bother dogs. The same goes for people. You may have noticed that lactose-intolerant people can usually eat whey and some types of cheese and digest it easily. The reason is the decrease in the amount of lactose.

‌Benefits of eating whey for dogs

Whey is a dairy product, and most countries are familiar with this sour food. The fermentation and production of curd are done by adding bacteria to milk. Consumption of whey can have many benefits for dogs:

a lot of protein

Whey can meet part of a dog’s need for protein. Whey is condensed like a kind of milk. Milk is a complete food, and babies of different animals only live on their mother’s milk for several months.

Full of calcium and phosphorus. 

Calcium and phosphorus are essential for the health of the bones and teeth of all dogs and even more for small puppies. Large dog breeds, in particular, are prone to calcium and phosphorus deficiency, which can lead to bone problems and diseases such as hip dysplasia or disc osteochondrosis, or OCD. Some people take calcium and phosphorus supplements to solve this problem, but whey can also be a great natural source of these substances. Veterinarians often recommend using natural sources of calcium and phosphorus instead of supplements. Because too much calcium and phosphorus, like a lack of these substances, can cause OCD (calcium or phosphorus pills may be more than the body needs and cause problems).

Strengthens the digestive system

One of the essential things in many dairy products, including whey, is probiotics, which are beneficial microbes that stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes and make it easier for dogs to digest food. The probiotics in whey are perfect for the human digestive system and probably for dogs.

It helps control dog weight.

As we said, whey has a lot of protein and is easy to digest, but on the other hand, it has very few calories. So it can provide an essential part of a dog’s need for protein without causing him to gain weight. In short, whey is an excellent food source, especially for obese dogs who need to be supplied with protein but aren’t high in energy and calories. Whey is also great for older dogs.

It has antifungal and antibacterial properties.

In addition to eating whey, topical application means rubbing this substance on the dog’s skin is also helpful. Whey has antifungal and antibacterial properties and helps treat skin infections. It also helps with mange. This disease is caused by a tiny tick and causes severe itching. Due to its coolness and moisture, rubbing whey on the affected part of the skin reduces itching and inflammation of the skin and soothes the dog. Of course, most likely, your dog licks and eats whey from his skin because most dogs love them.

Whey harms for dogs

Excessive consumption

Overeating whey isn’t good for dogs. Most dogs like this food very much, but loving something isn’t a reason to give him as much whey as possible. Excessive consumption of it, like any other food, can be harmful to the dog’s health. It’s better to always be moderate in giving any food to the dog. Eating whey too much, may affect digestion and cause loose and watery stools. The best option is to mix some curd with water. Approximately two or three tablespoons of curd mixed with sufficient water. Also, keep in mind that whey can’t replace the leading dog food and should be consumed with regular dog meals. You can use whey, for example, as a snack or sometimes as a light meal between the days.

Xylitol

If you want whey for your dog, you must choose a plain one without natural or artificial sweeteners. Added sugars are neither good for dogs nor humans, and some artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, are toxic to dogs.

Lactose

Some dogs may be allergic to the low levels of lactose in whey. Dietary lactose can cause bloating, diarrhea and vomiting. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, stop giving him whey, and be sure to consult a veterinarian.

Too much fat

Another critical point is that high-fat types of whey are harmful to dogs. Like all dairy products and other foods, you should pay attention to the amount of its fat. Excess fat in dogs’ diet can cause stomach upset or even pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a significant disease that can even kill a dog. So try to prepare low-fat and preferably pasteurized whey for dogs. Give your dog a minimal amount of whey for the first time and see how his body reacts. If your dog doesn’t have any of the above symptoms, give him whey every once in a while. You should do the same with any new food. 

How to give whey to our dog?

You can add whey to different types of dog food. In winter, it’s better not to give any whey to your dog, but there’s no problem at other times of the year when the weather isn’t cold. In summer, frozen curd is delicious for dogs. For example, you can mix a piece of curd with water and sweet potatoes. Then put it in small molds and place it in the freezer. Or combine the vegetable puree with some curd and honey and put it in the freezer. With this treat, you will make a great summer for your dog. 

Eating whey for puppies

Puppies are also very fond of curd and eat this delicious food as much as possible, but caution is required. Whey is a great complementary food for puppies who are breastfeeding. You can mix it with their exceptional food to get acquainted with its taste. When puppies are about 40 days old, you can pour solid food (pellets) into the whey and give it to them. Because the puppies’ teeth aren’t yet powerful, the whey makes the pellets softer and can be eaten more easily. Continue this food until your dog gets used to eating dry food.

In addition to calcium, whey and dairy products have a special sugar called lactose; This sugar needs an enzyme called lactase to be digested so that the bond of this sugar is broken down and absorbed. This enzyme is present in the body of puppies and most infants so that they can be breastfed. When they’re weaned and start to eat other foods, the amount of this enzyme in their body gradually decreases. Therefore, consuming whey and dairy products may be harmful and cause problems. So don’t use dairy products and whey in your dog’s diet without consulting your veterinarian; because your beloved dog may be lactose intolerant, and his body may be damaged.

To wrap up

Eating whey isn’t harmful to dogs, but it can also be beneficial, both for puppies and adult dogs. Just be careful not to add unnecessary or harmful additives (such as xylitol) or too much fat. Also, remember not to give a lot of whey to your dog. Don’t forget that if you want to give your dog any new food for the first time, try a small amount first to ensure it has no allergies or other problems. To have a healthy and lively dog, you need to pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. In all these steps, you can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming. Our experienced and precise groomers have groomed your dogs carefully and accurately so that they count the moments for the next session.