Should I Use Milk For Dog Constipation? (7 Clear Facts)

Upon realizing that your dog has constipation, you are likely to immediately start thinking of suitable remedies. It is at this point that the idea of using milk for dog constipation may occur to you. But is it really proper to use milk for dog constipation? We provide the answer here.

Should I use milk for dog constipation? It is not advisable to use milk for dog constipation. This is because dogs suffer from lactose intolerance. Therefore when a dog is given milk, it may end up with severe diarrhea and other worrisome signs of gastrointestinal upset.

Milk can cause other problems, therefore it shouldn’t be used to treat constipation in dogs.

There are safer and more effective remedies you can use for dog constipation.

To be sure, when a dog that was having problems pooping is given milk, it is likely to start having (loose) stool motions shortly thereafter.

That is why, for many people, the list of effective home remedies for constipation in dogs using milk features prominently.

But the problem with milk is in the fact that it is something most dog’s bodies are unable to handle, as they are lactose intolerant.

When you give your dog milk for constipation, you run the very real risk of creating other problems, including severe diarrhea.

Thus the dog moves from a position of being constipated to the opposite position of suffering from severe diarrhea. Now neither constipation nor diarrhea is good for the dog.

So it is best not to use the milk.

Can Dogs Drink Milk?

Dogs shouldn’t drink milk.

The problem with milk for dogs is in the fact that it contains a certain sugar known as lactose. And as fate would have it, dogs lack the enzyme needed to digest that particular sugar.

Consequently, dogs are lactose intolerant.

In practical terms, when dogs drink milk, they tend to end up with gastrointestinal upsets. This typically manifests through symptoms such as diarrhea – which can be quite severe.

To be sure, dogs do have the ability to drink milk. Some may even seem to enjoy drinking it. 

But the fact of the matter remains that the milk isn’t good for them. This is because, as we have said, the dogs lack the enzyme needed to digest lactose, one of the sugars in milk.

Should I Use Milk For Dog Constipation?

When a dog is constipated, it has difficulties passing stool. In some cases, constipated dogs may be unable to poop altogether.

Needless to say, such constipated dogs soon start experiencing considerable distress. And this is what gets the dog owner wondering, how can I relieve my dogs constipation fast?

So all that is in a bid to figure out how to make a dog poop quickly, if it has been constipated.

It is at this point that the idea of using milk to relieve the dog’s constipation comes up.

Then one wonders whether using milk for the purpose is proper.

That is what gives rise to questions like: can milk help dogs with constipation? Or, to put it differently, is milk good for constipation for a dog?

So, indeed, what is the true position? Can milk help with a dog’s constipation? The answer is to the effect that it would be inadvisable to give milk to a dog that is suffering from constipation.

Granted, a dog that was having difficulties pooping will start passing stools once it is given milk. 

The problem, however, is in the fact that the milk is also likely to cause the dog to have stomach upsets.

So the dog may end up with quite severe diarrhea, as a result of it taking milk. For this reason it is best not to give a dog with constipation milk.

Can Milk Help A Dog With Constipation?

As noted earlier, constipation can be quite distressing for a dog.

Upon noting the dog’s distress, the owner is likely to embark on a frenzied search for anything that can give the dog relief. 

And it is in the course of this search that the dog owner may come across suggestions that milk can be helpful.

Indeed when you undertake a should I use milk for dog constipation Reddit search, you will find quite a number of people who recommend it.

That then is what would get you wondering, should I use milk for dog constipation or diarrhea? Will milk help a constipated dog? Or, instead, does milk constipate dogs?

So the underlying concern would be: can I give milk to constipated dog? Does milk help with dog constipation symptoms?

And the best answer we can give is to the effect that it would be inadvisable for you to give milk to a dog that is suffering from constipation.

When you offer a dog milk, you are effectively giving it something that is somewhat harmful to it. This is because dogs suffer from lactose intolerance.

Yes, the milk may make the dog start having stool motions again. But at what expense to the dog’s health?

That would be at risk of leaving the dog with very severe gastrointestinal upset, on account of the lactose intolerance.

Therefore you should ideally not give a constipated dog milk.

Against that background, a question like how much milk can I give my dog for constipation would be moot. This is because you shouldn’t be giving the dog any milk in the first place.

Why Is It Inadvisable To Use Milk For Dog Constipation?

So far, we have been saying it is not advisable to use milk for dog constipation. One may want a deeper explanation on why this is inadvisable.

Now to understand why it is inadvisable to use milk for dog constipation, you have to appreciate three things.

Firstly, you have to appreciate that one of the components in milk is a sugar known as lactose.

Secondly, you need to understand that dogs lack the enzyme necessary to digest that sugar (lactose).

Thirdly, you need to beware of the fact that dogs which drink milk often end up with severe gastrointestinal upset. That is due to their inability to digest the lactose in the sugar, as they lack the necessary enzyme for that.

Thus giving a dog that is constipated milk may cause it another illness. This is why it is best not to use milk for dog constipation.

There are better dog laxative pets at home remedies you can to give relief to a constipated dog.

What Can I Give My Dog For Constipation Instead Of Milk?

So far, we have firmly established that it is not advisable to give a constipated dog milk.

That may then leave you wondering, what can I give my dog to help him poop, if milk is not ideal? In other words, how can I relieve my dogs constipation fast? What laxatives are safe for dogs, if milk isn’t?

As it turns out, one product that can be really helpful is olive oil. Indeed in almost every list of home remedies for dog constipation olive oil features prominently.

Just a single teaspoonful of olive oil can function as a highly effective natural laxative for dogs.

Here, one may ask, how long does it take for olive oil to relieve constipation in dogs? And the answer is that it usually starts working in a matter of hours.

Another good remedy for constipation in dogs is pumpkin puree. 

The good thing with pumpkin puree is the fact that it doesn’t just relieve the dog’s constipation. It also provides the dog with some nutrients it needs.

The most important thing is to ensure that you use nothing else but natural pumpkin puree that is free of additives which could potentially harm the dog.

If natural remedies like olive oil and pumpkin puree are unavailable or ineffective, you may consider using pharmaceutical laxatives. In that case, only use the laxatives meant for dogs.

Refrain from giving the dog human laxatives, as its body may be unable to handle those.

At What Point Does Constipation In Dogs Require A Vet’s Attention?

If in spite of you offering remedies, the dog’s constipation persists beyond two days, it is best to consult a vet about the situation.

It is worth understanding that in some cases, the underlying cause for constipation in dogs is intestinal blockage. This may be due to a foreign object that happens to be lodged somewhere in the dog’s intestines.

And in case such intestinal blockage is indeed the cause for your dog’s constipation, urgent veterinary attention may be needed to resolve the situation. 

Otherwise the dog’s life may be in danger.

Therefore if your dog has constipation, it is important for you to be closely monitoring the situation.

If you offer remedies, you need to watch the dog’s response keenly. In case there is no improvement after 24-48 hours, it is best to bring your vet on board.

Final Verdict

It is not advisable to use milk for dog constipation.

Milk contains a sugar we refer to as lactose. And dogs lack the necessary enzyme for digesting this particular sugar.

Therefore when a dog is offered milk, it is effectively being given something that its body is unable to handle. 

The end result may be GI upsets, manifesting through symptoms such as severe diarrhea.

You certainly don’t want your dog moving from a situation where it was constipated to another one where it has to endure severe diarrhea.

Thus using milk for dog constipation is not ideal. Better natural remedies you can use for dog constipation include pumpkin puree and olive oil.

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️