It can be great having both a dog and a baby! Talk about an exciting time! Taking care of the baby and your fur baby can be taxing, as well as one of the happiest experiences around! Have you ever noticed your dog being envious of your baby’s food? Has he been curious about the baby’s formula? This can be normal behavior. After all, your dog doesn’t want to miss out on anything yummy that you may be giving to the baby! However, what happens if a dog drinks baby formula?
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Has your dog drunk some baby formula? Are you worried that the baby formula will make your dog sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog drinks something he shouldn’t. For this reason, we’ve put together some information to help you and your dog in this situation.
In this article, we’ll take a look at baby formula and whether or not it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Baby Formula?
Baby formula (also sometimes called infant formula or just formula) is a manufactured type of food that’s been developed to feed babies and infants under 12 months of age. The formula may be given to babies whose mothers aren’t able to provide breast milk. Or some mothers may give their babies both breast milk and formula. It just depends on the situation and the baby’s needs.
Baby formula is a powder that’s measured out and mixed with a specific amount of water. The mixed formula is put into a baby bottle and fed to the baby. Most brands and types of baby formula contain:
- Purified cow’s milk whey & casein
- Blended vegetable oils as a source of fat
- Lactose
- Vitamins
- Minerals (including iron)
Baby formula contains everything a baby needs to grow and to have a healthy immune system. But what happens if a dog drinks baby formula?
Baby Formula & Dogs
The good news is that baby formula is not toxic to dogs! However, there are small amounts of iron in baby formula that can be toxic to dogs. But a dog would have to drink a very large amount of formula to become sick.
There’s one more concern to watch for, and that’s if you have a lactose-intolerant dog. Once a puppy is weaned, they may no longer produce an enzyme called lactase. This is an enzyme that works to help a young puppy or dog digest the lactose found in milk and other dairy products. Without this enzyme, a dog could become sick if they ate or drank any type of dairy product, including baby formula.
If your dog has had some baby formula, you may notice that he’s developed an upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting.
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Ask a Vet Live NowWhat to Do If Your Dog Has Had Baby Formula
For dogs that are otherwise healthy, a small amount of baby formula probably won’t make them sick. However, for dogs that are lactose intolerant, it is possible they could develop diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms. These should not last longer than 24 hours.
If diarrhea and vomiting last longer than that, then do call the vet. And call the vet for any symptoms that you’re concerned about in your dog. Be sure to let the vet know how long ago your dog drank the formula and how much of the formula your dog had.
The vet will be able to help your dog feel better in no time!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Gemma Cliffin BSC BVSC MRCVS
This article has been reviewed and approved by an independent Veterinarian: Dr Gemma Cliffin MRCVS is an experienced small animal vet who combines her love of writing alongside working in practice. Since her graduation from the University of Liverpool in 2014 she has worked in a wide variety of roles including first opinion practice, as a night vet and as a locum vet. She has also spent time working at a charity clinic in the Cook Islands which was a challenge but also immensely rewarding. She loves all aspects of veterinary work, but she especially enjoys medicine cases and diagnostic imaging. She is passionate about pain-management, particularly in her more senior patients. She currently works in a first opinion small animal practice in North Yorkshire where she deals with both routine and emergency cases.
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