Can German Shepherd Dogs drink milk, tea, juice, or other beverages? Although your German Shepherd can likely be quite good at playing the beggar, it is crucial to know which drinks are safe for it to have and which ones could cause harm.
People often wonder if it is okay to give their German Shepherd cow’s milk, goat’s milk or soy milk to drink.
This article will address whether GSDs can have other beverages and, if so, which ones.
Get Enough Water First
Before you consider giving your German Shepherd anything to drink besides water, it is essential to be sure that your dog is well-hydrated and getting plenty of water in its daily diet.
You don’t want them to quench their thirst with another drink if they have not had enough H2O.
Because they are very active dogs, Germans Shepherds may need more water than some other breeds. While other dogs may be okay with just 1 ounce of H2O for each pound of their weight, a German Shepherd will need a bit more.
Different factors could also make your dog drink more water. Hot weather, certain medications, exercising, and salty, dry, or sticky foods in their diet can make them drink more.
If your dog seems to be drinking more water than usual and none of these reasons are relevant, you may want to contact your vet. Medical conditions such as diabetes, liver issues, kidney disease, and cancer can all give your dog excessive thirst.
Which Milks Can German Shepherds Drink?
While a small bite of cheese or a tiny taste of yogurt may not harm your German Shepherd, many of these dogs are lactose intolerant, which makes drinking some milk harmful.
It is not uncommon for a German Shepherd to tolerate some dairy products well while suffering after ingesting others.
Lactose also seems to bother older dogs more than young pups. Giving milk to a dog that is lactose intolerant can cause diarrhea, vomiting, gas, nausea, and other tummy issues due to inflamed intestines.
Can German Shepherds Drink Cow’s Milk?
Cow’s milk contains a protein known as casein, which can trigger an allergic reaction in any dog. The immune response of this reaction could bring on a range of symptoms, from skin rashes to upset stomachs.
The milk from a cow is also high in carbohydrates, which can raise the dog’s blood sugar and contribute to diabetes. For these reasons, it is not a good idea for your German Shepherd to drink cow’s milk.
Can German Shepherds Drink Goat’s Milk
Unlike cow’s milk, goat’s milk can actually be beneficial for your German Shepherd. The milk from a goat contains lactase, a substance that can help your dog to digest the lactose found in milk.
Dogs are also less likely to have an immune response to goat’s milk than they are to cow’s milk. Goat’s milk does not contain casein, the protein which causes dogs to be allergic to milk.
Not only does goat’s milk contain nutrients that are good for your dog, but the enzymes in it also help your German Shepherd’s body to absorb the nutrients in their food. These facts make goat’s milk a good choice of drink for your dog.
Almond Milk, Soy Milk, Oat Milk, and Coconut Milk
Soy milk has added sugar and is usually a high-calorie food.
Many dogs are also allergic to soy, so it is also not a good choice of beverage for your dog. Because they are high in fat, hard to digest, and may contain sugar or xylitol, almond milk is not recommended for your German Shepherd.
Oat milk, on the other hand, is safe for your German Shepherd to drink in small amounts. The same is true of coconut milk or coconut water, although both of these beverages should only be given to a dog occasionally and not as an everyday drink.
Note: Xylitol is a popular artificial sweetener found in some kinds of milk, peanut butter, and many other foods, candies, and gums. It is highly poisonous for a dog and can cause irreparable damage to their liver. You should always check the label of any food or drink you give to your dog to be sure it does not contain this substance.
Is Fruit Juice Safe for A German Shepherd to Drink?
While a German Shepherd can safely have fruits such as oranges and mangoes, it should only be given in small amounts and maybe even watered down a bit.
It is also important to be sure that the juice is 100% natural and does not have any added sugars, flavors, or preservatives in it.
Drinking these and other fruit juices in large amounts or too often can cause your dog’s blood sugar to spike. If this happens too often, it could lead to diabetes, a chronic disease in dogs, cats, and other animals as well as in humans.
Is Tea Or Soda Safe for German Shepherds?
It is not safe for German Shepherds, or any dogs, to drink beverages that contain caffeine.
A condition known as caffeine toxicity in dogs can cause them to suffer from heart palpitations, restlessness, vomiting, seizure, hyperactivity, and even death.
Because of the dangers of caffeine for dogs, most teas are strictly off-limits.
Soda is also not recommended, even if it is caffeine-free, simply because it contains sweeteners that are not safe for your dog. Sugar and artificial sweeteners can both be toxic to canines.
Green tea can be an exception if it contains no caffeine and is not sweetened. There are many health benefits to allowing your German Shepherd to indulge in a bit of green tea now and then.
Conclusion
A few beverages are safe for your German Shepherd to drink besides water. Coconut milk, soy milk, some fruit juices, and green tea, all contain nutrients that can be beneficial for canines.
Green tea also acts as an anti-inflammatory, which can be good for dogs suffering from arthritis and other painful conditions. It is sometimes used for the treatment of cancers, hepatitis, and joint dysplasias.
While this article addresses various liquids that your German Shepherd can drink, feel free to browse the site for more informative articles about your beloved pooch!