Milk may be a mainstay in many people’s diets, but you may not know that it’s good for your pet, too! Similar to other dog breeds, Chihuahuas appreciate and benefit from the nutrients found in milk. Today, we’ll break down the evidence and let you know whether or not it’s okay to give your Chihuahua milk, as well as what kind of milk is best.
Benefits Of Milk To Chihuahuas
Milk is a favorite treat for Chihuahuas, as any owner knows. If given the opportunity, they would likely down an entire quart of it. And that’s fine; milk is normally safe to ingest unless they have an allergy or intolerance to lactose (which can cause diarrhea). If your puppy ever begs for a glass of milk, don’t give him water. It may be beneficial to his health in ways you aren’t even thinking about.
🟦 Fat digestion
Fat is crucial for a growing Chihuahua because it aids in the absorption of other nutrients. Your Chihuahua’s liver converts the fat in its diet into fatty acids, which the body’s cells may use for energy. Also, these fatty acids combine to make the lipoproteins that transport cholesterol across the body.
It may seem paradoxical to increase the amount of fat in your Chihuahua’s diet after being diagnosed with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), but doing so can help your dog use glucose more effectively. Reduced risk of hypoglycemic episodes!
🟦 Hair and fur
In order to keep your Chihuahua’s skin and coat in good condition, you should feed it a diet rich in milk and cheese. It has all the amino acids a dog needs to strengthen its immune system and stave against diseases like dermatitis (a common skin condition).
Milk’s vitamin A, vitamin D, and linoleic acid (a fatty acid that can help prevent dryness) all contribute to keeping your Chihuahua’s skin shiny and silky.
🟦 Muscle
Chihuahuas may get the protein they need from milk, which is fantastic since it helps them put on muscle. Milk is a complete protein, meaning it has every essential amino acid your body needs to repair and grow muscle. Milk protein is metabolized into its individual building blocks, termed amino acids. Your Chihuahua’s body will utilize them in the synthesis of new proteins and the repair of damaged ones.
🟦 In good shape after giving birth
Your Chihuahua will need to put on weight and start producing milk for her babies after she gives birth. Protein-rich milk is excellent for your dog’s rapid development. Also, by reducing the mother dog’s anxiety, this aids in keeping her mood up as she nurses her litter, which is important in warding off postpartum depression.
🟦 Bloating
Chihuahuas frequently suffer from gastric distention. Overeating can be brought on by eating too quickly, guzzling too much water, and stuffing oneself with too many fatty sweets and other things. Milk’s natural sugar, lactose, is broken down by an enzyme called lactase into glucose and galactose, which aids digestion and reduces gas.
Types Of Milk Your Chihuahua Can Drink
A Chihuahua is a small dog that may be conveniently carried wherever you go. However, it is unclear what they should eat. Unlike other breeds of dogs, Chihuahuas have particularly specific dietary needs despite their small size. Here we’ll explore the numerous dog-friendly milk options for your Chihuahua!
🟥 Breastmilk
Your Chihuahua puppy will do best on a diet of breast milk. Providing your Chihuahua with breast milk is a terrific approach to ensure their health and happiness because of the antibodies found in breast milk. As long as you know your puppy will drink the breast milk, you can feed it to him or her at any time.
🟥 Infant formula
Even though a Chihuahua with a milk allergy can consume human formula milk, it won’t be able to meet its nutritional needs. There are, however, plenty of people willing to take care of your puppy while you’re gone on business (for a fee). Unfortunately, not all Chihuahuas thrive on puppy milk substitutes. If they aren’t also provided water, they run the risk of getting diarrhea and maybe dying from dehydration.
🟥 Goat milk
Because of their intolerance to cow’s milk, Chihuahuas do well on goat’s milk. In comparison to cow’s milk, it is lower in lactose and therefore simpler to digest. Your Chihuahua will get the protein and energy they need from goats’ milk, and they’ll benefit from the fat that helps them maintain good health and develop sturdy skeletons.
Goats’ milk is advised as an addition to your pet’s diet since it includes more calcium than either cow’s milk or human breast milk.
Other Milk Products You Can Give To Chihuahuas
🟨 Yogurt
Chihuahuas have no trouble digesting certain types of yogurt since they are so nutritious. Protein-rich yogurt serves as a probiotic for canine digestive systems, just as it does for human ones.
Probiotic-rich diets assist maintain a dog’s healthy digestive system by redistributing “good” bacteria to where “bad” bacteria once thrived. The ‘good’ bacteria Lactobacillus found in yogurt prevent lactose intolerance.
Chihuahua puppies, especially those experiencing some anxiety due to the move, may benefit from this. Any variety with artificial sweeteners should be avoided because they are poisonous to Chihuahuas.
Chihuahuas that are chemically sensitive should only eat plain yogurt, as flavored or colored varieties may include artificial ingredients that trigger an allergic reaction.
🟨 Cheese
If you want to give your Chihuahua some cheese, there are better options than others. While it’s true that eating too much cheese and meat can leave your dog feeling bloated, studies have shown that the real problem arises when dogs stop eating enough fiber-rich foods, which is why some people assume cheese causes constipation.
Aged cheddar cheese, which has less than 1 gram of lactose per 1 ounce serving, is one of the best cheeses to feed a Chihuahua.
Cheese, in moderation, can be a nutritious addition to a Chihuahua’s diet, but no item is beneficial in large amounts. As with other milk products, feeding a dog excessive amounts of cheese can lead to gastrointestinal distress and vomiting.
If you need to give your dog a pill, you may find that concealing it in a piece of cheese works nicely, especially if the cheese is soft and easily molds around the pill.
🟨 Cottage cheese
A 1/2 cup serving of cottage cheese contains only 3 grams of lactose, making it a great food for both Chihuahua pups and dogs.
For dogs with stomach problems, this is a common remedy because of its high concentration of casein protein, a protein with a long half-life because of the slow pace at which it is digested. Its high calcium content makes it an excellent choice for those looking to strengthen their Chihuahua’s bones.
Whole cottage cheese is best for a Chihuahua, as flavored types may contain artificial sweeteners and other ingredients that can be harmful to or cause allergic responses in dogs.
It’s advisable to go with low-sodium cottage cheese because this meal can have a high sodium content. This food has a relatively unremarkable flavor, therefore, it works best as a supplement to other dishes. When added to kibble, a recommended serving size is 1–2 tablespoons. If your Chihuahua has problems eating solid food, this is a great option.
A healthy food for your dog that may be jazzed up with the addition of blueberries, raspberries, or even small chunks of banana.
🟨 Ice cream
A small amount of ice cream is safe for a puppy or dog to eat, but owners should be cautious.
Since this is the case, regularly feeding a Chihuahua from a full cup is likely to result in gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea. However, providing your Chihuahua with a few teaspoons up to a quarter cup once a week is usually safe.
As with most foods, it’s best to avoid feeding your dog low-fat or low-sugar ice cream flavors because they may contain chemical additions that might trigger allergic reactions in some dogs.
Ice cream made with real vanilla beans is ideal, and obviously, chocolate ice cream is never a good idea when it comes to dogs. Chihuahuas, like us, like the cooling effects of eating cold foods on hot days, so feel free to feed your puppy or dog a spoonful, but don’t go overboard.
How To Introduce Milk To Your Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are well-known for their devotion to their owners and friendly demeanor thanks to their huge personalities. It is essential to supply them with the appropriate diet and care if you want to assist them in leading the healthiest and happiest life possible. One strategy for accomplishing this goal is to include milk in their diet. How to do it:
🟩 Start Small
Try giving them milk in little amounts at first to determine if they enjoy it. Consider using either cow’s milk or goat’s milk, and think about adding honey or vanilla essence for flavor.
🟩 After Completing a Meal
If you want to avoid digestive problems, offer milk right after you finish eating. Keep in mind that canines that are allergic to cow’s milk may benefit more from drinking goat’s milk.
🟩 Avoid Blenders
Never mix milk in a blender or food processor since doing so could cause the milk to overheat, which in turn could create stomach issues.
🟩 Keep it Refrigerated
Keep milk in the refrigerator at all times and change it out frequently to prevent disease and spoiled milk. If necessary, make use of a compact refrigerator or cooler.
Signs Of Lactose Intolerance In Chihuahuas
🟧 Diarrhea
Chihuahuas typically show signs of lactose intolerance through diarrhea. Increased stool output, especially if it is watery or loose in consistency, may be a sign of lactose intolerance in your Chihuahua, which can cause diarrhea. The stools of a normal Chihuahua are formed and firm. If your dog has lactose sensitivity, you will probably see diarrhea within 12 hours after it has had dairy.
🟧 Vomiting
Chihuahuas regularly throw up, but it’s concerning when it happens frequently or severely. Chihuahuas with a dairy allergy may throw up as a result of digestive upset after consuming dairy. A dog that suddenly begins to drool excessively or lick surfaces may be feeling nauseous and will throw up.
🟧 Loss of appetite
If your Chihuahua isn’t eating, it could be because of stomach problems. You’ll need to figure out if your Chihuahua is just finicky, or if she’s not eating since she got into the ice cream last night.
Whether its lactose intolerance, the flu, or an injury, a sudden loss of appetite is usually cause for concern. Find out from your veterinarian immediately.
🟧 Bloat
Your Chihuahua may look and feel bloated due to an increase in gas levels in the digestive tract.
Your Chihuahua’s intestines have remarkable elasticity, allowing them to expand to handle both the volume of food eaten and the gases created by bacteria and the fermentation of sugars in the digestive tract. But when there’s too much gas in the body, it causes discomfort.
🟧 Flatulence
Normal digestive processes include some fermentation of food in your Chihuahua’s gut, so flatulence is normally nothing to worry about. If your dog has a lot of gas after eating dairy, it may be a sign that he has lactose intolerance.
Bonus: Common Foods Chihuahuas That Might Eat (Are They Safe?)
🟪 Bananas
It’s okay to feed Chihuahuas bananas. Bananas have a lot of useful nutrients, including potassium, magnesium, and fiber. A balanced diet for a Chihuahua should include all three of these. To prevent your Chihuahua from choking, cut the banana into small pieces before feeding it to him. They’re so versatile that they can even be served as a snack. Chewing isn’t a problem for Chihuahuas thanks to the treat’s tender consistency. The consistency also makes for a fantastic foundation for doggy snacks.
🟪 Apples
The apple should be prepared for your Chihuahua by being peeled, cored, deseeded, and chopped into small pieces. Constipation may be alleviated with a little fiber supplement. The crunchy texture of an apple slice will also assist in cleaning your Chihuahua’s teeth.
🟪 Strawberries
Strawberries are an excellent source of fiber and Vitamin C. Antioxidants are abundant in strawberries. Your Chihuahua’s health may depend on these. In addition, they aid in Chihuahua tooth cleaning because of an enzyme they contain.
🟪 Blueberries
Chihuahuas can enjoy blueberries without worry. In particular, blueberries have been found to have exceptionally high levels of antioxidants. A dog’s diet might benefit from including them. Vitamin content is also rather high in them. Blueberries should be fed one at a time and halved to prevent choking.
For a cool and satisfying snack this summer, try frozen blueberries. This tasty delicacy will keep for a very long time. Dried blueberries can be used to make tasty treats for your dog. Those with no extra sugar should be your first choice. Dried fruit is much easier to eat after being rehydrated with water.
🟪 Onion
As a breed, Chihuahuas are not able to digest onions. Ingesting any part of an onion can be fatal for a dog. Your Chihuahua should not eat any form of onion, raw or cooked. The poisons in onions contribute to oxidative stress. There is enough toxicity in a single onion to be harmful to Chihuahuas. As an added precaution, watch out for anything that could contain onions. Many items contain onion powders or pastes.
🟪 Tuna
Tuna in the can or cooked is fine for Chihuahuas. The oil used in canned tuna should be replaced with water. Tuna fish, especially the larger species, have high levels of mercury. Smaller variants are safer for Chihuahuas because they have significantly lower quantities. But a Chihuahua shouldn’t consume raw fish because of the potential for harmful bacteria and parasites.
Final Words
In conclusion, it is okay to give Chihuahuas milk, but owners should avoid doing so if their dogs are lactose sensitive. Rather, they should be supplied with clean water and a nutritionally sound diet appropriate to their size and breed. Talk to your vet if you have any questions or concerns about what your Chihuahua should be eating. Keep in mind that a well-cared-for Chihuahua is a happy and healthy Chihuahua.
Here at ILoveChihuahua, we share our personal experiences as owners of this feisty breed. We talk about recommended methods, dog supplies picks, and advice on common Chihuahua problems. Our goal is to promote responsible dog ownership, so there would be fewer Chihuahuas in shelters.
