Humans can try and drink dog milk, but this isn’t the most viable option if you’re looking for it to provide you with nutrition. If a baby needs milk, nothing beats giving them human milk or a formula that’s specifically designed for them.
Dog milk is basically just packed with nutrients that are needed by no one else but their puppies. But yet again, humans commonly drink cow milk and even goat milk. Is it anything different if you opt for dog milk?
We’ll unpack everything there is to know about that, so keep reading.
Is Dog’s Milk Nutritional?
Dog milk is nutritional from a puppy’s viewpoint. All that a pup would need for their growth and development can be found in their mother’s breast milk. However, if a baby gets to consume dog milk instead of their mother’s natural formula, then the chances are that they’ll lack several important nutrients.
Nevertheless, it’s undeniable that a dog’s milk is loaded with nutrition. According to a study, milk from this species contain the following:
- Fat.
- Sugar.
- Protein.
- Calcium.
- Vitamin A.
- Vitamin D.
- Vitamin B12.
One more thing, despite all these good nutrients that can be taken from dog milk, the quantity might not be enough for any human. Dogs are difficult to milk, and they can only produce enough for their litter and nothing more for humans.
What Happens If You Drink Dog Milk?
Dog milk in a small portion won’t cause you any major harm. It’s basically lactose-free milk, but perceiving it as a suitable replacement is nothing but ridiculous. Anyone wouldn’t be able to have the right amount of nutrients by just depending on a dog’s milk.
Also, just because it’s possible to drink dog’s milk or any other animal’s milk doesn’t mean you should. A baby may be alright for a while whilst getting their source of nutrients from dog milk, but the lack of several other properties that can only be found in human milk or formula won’t make them healthy.
After all, each type of milk has fat ratios that are species-specific.
By all means, dog milk is generally healthy for humans. But, it’s also an unnecessary option to get your nutrients. Almost all of the nutrients found in it can be taken from other sources like vegetables, meat, and fruits.
How Does Dog Milk Taste?
Dog milk is actually bad in taste as it can be too greasy and thick. As you know, dogs have a different diet, and what they eat can largely affect how their milk tastes.
This is supported by a research study conducted on humans, specifically. For example, a maternal diet that consists of garlic, anise, and carrots can transfer their flavor to the amniotic sac. A baby then gets acquainted with the taste. Therefore, once these flavors are reintroduced during childhood, they’re most likely to accept the taste.
The same can be applicable to dogs, yet further research is needed here.
Nonetheless, a dog’s milk is typically too thick. It won’t be able to go through a milk filtering process, making it possibly contain dirt or even fur.
For the pups, this is generally fine, but it’s a different outcome for human babies.
Why We Don’t Milk Dogs
You can’t properly milk a dog, and even if you can, you either have to do it quickly or bribe them to cooperate for a longer period. Mother dogs usually lactate for only 2 months, in general, and puppies need to be fed every 2 hours.
That means there’s nothing much left for human consumption. And even if you think about removing her puppies, the mother dog’s milk will dry up on its own.
To put it simply, the production of milk in dogs is a complicated process. For a mother dog to continue producing milk, the following should be involved:
- Her hormones.
- Her granular tissues.
- Demand for milk from puppies.
Moreover, there are other factors that explain why we don’t milk dogs. Here they are:
- There are too many nipples to deal with.
- You can only milk a mother dog for two minutes.
- The nipples are structured differently. Aiming can be a challenge as there are many pores from which milk can be expressed.
- Lastly, dogs aren’t too acquainted with having themselves milked like cows. They won’t be inclined to stand up and stay still for you to milk them.
With all these details, going for dog milk is highly impractical, to say the least. Not only would this not suit a human’s taste buds but as well not be nutritious enough, especially for developing kids.
From Which Animal Can Humans Get Milk Instead?
Throughout the world, humans can get their milk from different animals like cows and goats. But there are other more that are deemed common for human consumption. Let’s check out the list:
1. Cows: At least 9 out of 10 glasses of milk that humans drink come from cows.
2. Goat: Some people find it easier to digest goat milk in comparison to that of a cow. Its milk simply has smaller fat globules with a high amount of fatty acid beneficial to digestion.
3. Water buffalo: Ghee is a popular liquid butter in India. In the same country, half of the milk produced comes from water buffalos.
4. Sheep: Sheep milk is twice as fatty as cow’s milk. Fun fact, it’s the one used to make feta, Roquefort, and ricotta.
5. Horse: Horse milk is thinner than cow’s milk. Yet, it remains drinkable without the foul odor and taste. It is described to be sweeter but somehow diluted cow’s milk with a hint of almond.
6. Yak: Yak is not only very nutritious but as well as high in protein compared to cow milk. It’s rich, sweet, and fragrant, which is why people from the mountains of Tibet use it to make butter tea or simply drink it as is.
7. Camel: Camel milk has been consumed by humans for thousands of years, and it’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Raw camel milk may not be ideal for drinking, so make sure it undergoes pasteurization for a lower risk of food poisoning.
8. Reindeer: Reindeer is best consumed in small amounts. It has 22% of fat content and 2.4% lactose. If you want to consume more reindeer milk, you can definitely try the cheese bread, which is called Juustoleipä, a Finnish squeaky cheese.
What Does PETA Say about Drinking Animal Milk?
PETA stands firm on its objective, which is to keep encouraging people to look for other options instead of consuming animal milk. There is soymilk, cashew milk, and oat milk as good alternatives compared to the meager amount of milk a dog can only produce.
Dog milk is basically the last milk source among others any human should consider. The amount mother dogs produce is enough to supply their puppies with the adequate nutrients they need to be healthy and capable of fighting off diseases.
It’s quite wrong for humans to even compete with puppies for the milk they rightfully deserve, especially when there’s only enough to sustain them until they’re weaned.
