Dairy

Adult dogs generally have low lactase activity, so lactose ferments in the gut and causes bloating, loose stools and diarrhoea; whole milk is about 3.3% fat, adding extra calories.

Yoghurt still contains lactose, so even small amounts can cause diarrhoea in lactose-intolerant dogs; whole-milk yoghurt is about 3.3% fat and adds calories in larger amounts.

Cheese is high in fat (cheddar about 33%) and salt, which can upset the stomach and trigger pancreatitis in sensitive dogs; lactose is lower than in milk but larger amounts still cause diarrhoea.

Butter is about 81% fat and a high fat load is one of the most common triggers of pancreatitis in dogs, with a very high calorie density that promotes weight gain.

Goat milk contains lactose just like cow's milk, and adult dogs generally have low lactase activity, so the lactose ferments in the gut and causes bloating, loose stools and diarrhoea; **it is not a better choice for a lactose-intolerant dog**.

Kefir is a fermented milk, so it holds less lactose than milk but **not none**, and a lactose-intolerant dog can still get diarrhoea and gas; **flavoured kefir often adds sugar or sweeteners such as xylitol**, which is highly toxic to dogs.

**Cream is about 36% fat**, and that fat load is one of the most common triggers of pancreatitis in dogs, at a very high calorie cost; cream also holds lactose, so lactose-intolerant dogs get diarrhoea and gas, which is why it **is not a suitable treat**.