Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Become a credit card member today!Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!APPLY NOWLearn More About Petco Pay Benefits
My dog drank milk and has diarrhea but seems fine. What should I do?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 5 years and 1 month old | 40 lbs
Hello, my 3 year old gave my dog milk and now she is having diarrhea. She's acting perfectly fine and eating and drinking fine but is there something I can do?
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Dr. Macartney, BVet Med, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on July 29th, 2017
Since you have only noticed a few episodes I would continue to monitor Sadie at home. Provide a bland diet of boiled boneless chicken breast and white rice and plenty of fresh water. Cooked skinless sweet potato can also be helpful for diarrhoea.
If the episodes continue, if Sadie becomes depressed, passes large amounts of blood, vomits, or seems very uncomfortable take Sadie to see his vet. Because milk can have a high fat content, one potential complication of Sadie ingesting it, would be pancreatitis. If you notice the above signs it's possible Sadie has pancreatitis.
I hope this answer was helpful and more importantly that Sadie feels better soon. Warmest regards to you both.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpfulRelated Answers from Veterinarians
Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Poor Sadie! Drinking milk often causes diarrhea in dogs, as they generally don't tolerate lactose very well after they are weaned. If she is acting normal otherwise, you can try withholding food for the next 24 hours to give her stomach a chance to settle - then feed a bland diet of plain boiled chicken and rice for the next 2-3 days, until her stool is back to normal.
If this doesn't help, or if she develops any other symptoms such as vomiting or acting lethargic, it would be best to have her seen by a vet for treatment. I hope that helps a bit! :)1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Davis
Veterinarian
Published on August 22nd, 2017
Generally with a blockage the dogs will vomit, stop eating and may strain to defecate so this does not sound like a blockage. I recommend adding fiber to the diet to bulk up the stool. Canned pumpkin works as well as other vegetables like green beans, broccoli, summer squash etc. Some raw diets do have pieces of bones in them. If the diarrhea continues with Sadie feeling fine you may want to use half raw and the rest kibble as this will not be as rich and should firm up the stools. If the diarrhea continues and she is not feeling well then bring her to your veterinarian for treatment. Sometimes raw diets have bacteria in them that can cause gastroenteritis. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Sadie.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful