Can dogs eat milk?

Only with precautions. Puppies digest their mother's milk fine, but most adult dogs produce little lactase, so a saucer of milk often leads to gas, loose stools and stomach pain within hours. A few laps from a cereal bowl is rarely worse than smelly; a full bowl is a different story. Lactose-free dog milk products exist if your dog loves dairy.

Watch for diarrhea, gas, abdominal discomfort, vomiting. Symptoms may appear within hours; when in doubt, call your vet.

Assess how much was eaten and whether seeds, pits, shells or seasoning were included. Small plain amounts usually need monitoring only; large or seasoned amounts warrant a call to your vet.