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It happens to all of us at some point. We reach into the fridge and find the milk has expired! That can be pretty frustrating, especially if you have cereal already poured out or a half-done recipe that needs milk. And what if the dog gets into the expired milk?
Has your dog drunk expired milk? Are you worried the expired milk 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 like this.
In this article, we’ll take a look at expired milk and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Expired Milk?
Expired milk is nothing more than milk that has gone past the expiration date. Is it really bad? It depends on how long past the expiration date the milk has gone! However, it can be difficult to know if the milk is OK or not. This is because of the variety of phrases milk produces use on their products.
You may find these phrases in regard to the milk’s expiration:
- Use by: this is the date that is the very last date you should expect the milk to be at its highest quality
- Best if used by: this date tells you the date to use the milk by for best quality
- Sell by: this date means the store can sell the milk up to a specific dated
All of this is confusing! So, how can you tell if the milk is OK or not?
Studies have shown that milk, when properly stored and unopened, can last about 5-7 days past the date listed on the carton. Open milk, on the other hand, can last about 2-3 days past the date on the carton.
But what if the milk has changed in consistency or in smell? In that case, the milk’s not safe for anyone, including your dog!
Expired Milk & Dogs
Milk that has changed consistency and has begun to smell is very harmful. When milk spoils, it becomes difficult to digest and may develop toxic pathogens. If a dog drinks milk that’s gone bad, it is possible he could become sick.
Another problem is that most dogs are lactose intolerant. This means they don’t have the right amino acid that helps their bodies digest milk. Milk intolerance can cause some nasty digestive issues in humans or dogs.
One more problem is that some dogs may be allergic to milk, even milk that’s gone bad. In that case, it’s possible for a dog to have an allergic reaction, which can be mild or severe. It depends on how sensitive they are to milk.
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Ask a Vet Live NowWhat to Do If Your Dog Has Drunk Expired Milk
If your dog has drunk milk that’s just a little past the expiration date, and it doesn’t smell or look different, your dog may be OK. Just monitor him for any type of digestive problem or an allergic reaction.
For dogs who have drunk very spoiled milk, we strongly suggest calling the vet. There’s a chance your dog could become very sick from the pathogens that exist in bad milk.
So, there you have it! Your fur baby should be OK. But do watch him for any concerning symptoms and then call the vet right away!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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