Goat's Milk

[Scooby172]

A co worker was talking about the benefits of using raw goat's milk for her dogs today. She is a breeder and

handler of Aussies. She went on and on about the probiotic and enzymes that are so beneficial to dogs. I have

never heard of it being used, she said you can get it frozen in many pet stores. Anyone know anything about

goat's milk or using it? Just curious.

Linda, Jack and Keeva

[silverfish]

I use goat milk a lot. It's easier to digest than cow's milk and the dogs like it, too. But one of the supposed 'health benefits' of goat milk is a myth: they can and do get TB, so it still needs to be pasteurised.

[galgrey]

I know many people will think it's not worth the risk, but pasteurization defeats the purpose and negates the benefits (enzymes and probiotics) because the pasteurization process kills the enzymes and beneficial bacteria. If you decide to use it, I would look for a source of raw goat's milk from grass fed goats rather than grain fed.

 

I've read testimonials from both dog and cat owners that tout the benefits for a variety of conditions: allergies, UTIs, kidney disease/stones, diarrhea, constipation, poor digestion, etc. In it's raw form it's loaded with probiotics and enzymes that help boost the immune system. I've been looking for a local source of raw goat's milk, but haven't come up with anything yet.

Edited April 17, 2014 by galgrey

[Guest grey_dreams]

We use the raw goat's milk from Answers. Here is more information about the safety. In the store-search section is a list of the stores that carry Answers products. I've been giving the raw goat's milk for a while now and everyone loves it and does well with it.

[sobesmom]

Well... my question is "how important is dairy to a dog's health"? "Would a wolf have a lot of dairy milk in its diet?" I think not.

 

So In my opinion - any kind of Dairy you add to your dog's diet - is a toss-up. Might have benefits - might not.

 

If I got it in my head that my dog needed a dairy supplement - I'd go with raw milk from a reputable source.

[Guest grey_dreams]

Well... my question is "how important is dairy to a dog's health"? "Would a wolf have a lot of dairy milk in its diet?" I think not.

 

So In my opinion - any kind of Dairy you add to your dog's diet - is a toss-up. Might have benefits - might not.

 

If I got it in my head that my dog needed a dairy supplement - I'd go with raw milk from a reputable source.

 

Milk is really a whole-food, and the only one that is naturally produced. Raw milk definitely has many benefits that other kinds of food do not.

[silverfish]

We used to get raw milk delivered. It tasted so much better, quite apart from any health benefits it might have. It came from a local, TT tested herd. Now, you can't seem to find it here.

[Remolacha]

Goat's milk is more digestible than cow's milk, but as I just give a little bit to the dogs and cats for a treat, I don't worry about finding raw.

[Neighsayer]

When my goats were born, the mom was not nursing and didn't seem to have enough milk.i bought a couple of gallons of goat milk from a local goat farm. The next day, another goat had a kid, and was willing to nurse all three babies.I gave the rest of the milk to my dogs, just to avoid dumping it out. They loved it, but all of my dogs over the years have loved milk.

[Hubcitypam]

Somewhat off topic, but when I was in college my boyfriend would go to his uncle's farm and come back with a case of mason jars. Half were filled with milk from his goats and half were filled with moonshine from his still. I lived to tell the tale.

Not sure dogs really need milk.

[Guest MnMDogs]

We started using it when the bug from hell went around our house last summer, and nothing- I mean nothing worked. As a last ditch effort, we started adding it in to their cooked bland food. It either worked, or the bug had made it's way through and was cured. But it didn't hurt, and the dogs love it... So we add a splash to their kibble every day.

 

We started using Answers, now we are using Primal, since it comes in a bigger size . They like to drink it as we're pouring it out of the container

[galgrey]

Somewhat off topic, but when I was in college my boyfriend would go to his uncle's farm and come back with a case of mason jars. Half were filled with milk from his goats and half were filled with moonshine from his still. I lived to tell the tale.

 

Not sure dogs really need milk.

OMG, milk and moonshine!? Glad you survived it.

 

Adult dogs don't really "need" milk, but raw milk is a great source of live enzymes and beneficial bacteria.

[brandimom]

I had heard how beneficial it was too and my three pups get in in each meal. I buy the Answers product which I purchase at my vet's office. Have I seen any difference - no.

[Scooby172]

Well, I do not want to jinx myself but I did start giving Jack the goat's milk and his stool is firmer than ever, even after

his first morning poop. I bought the Answers brand and will use it on a trial basis but hope to see he does well with it. Also

understand that cutting back his food and switching back to grain free lamb were both helpful. We will see...

[CharlieRhea]

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/goat-milk-for-dogs/?inf_contact_key=88692ef9334815540b5712250ff510ca0324e745f0284a98c182d1ebffd6140e

 

good article on benefits of goats milk

Edited May 23, 2014 by CharlieRhea

[Guest lanielovesgreys]

My father in law was giving a tablespoon of goats milk to his yorkie, because they heard the same thing. Ask your vet. Cassie, the yorkie almost died of pancriitis. And the vet was horrified they were giving her goats milk.

[silverfish]

Goat's milk - and even cow's milk - will not give pancreatitis to every dog, or even most dogs. In England and Ireland cereal and milk is a traditional breakfast of long standing in greyhound kennels, and we've always given our dogs milk. Funnily enough, the one dog of ours who did get pancreatitis was not given milk (we didn't have her very long) and hers was due to kidney cancer (so the veterinary specialist said).

 

It's always wise to check with vets: mine are quite happy about our dogs having milk, especially goat's milk. It seems to be less contaminated than cow's milk, perhaps because they're less intensively farmed, and in fact that's why I drink it myself.

 

Milk is a valuable source of calcium, and according to what I've read, pet dogs are often lacking in dietary calcium, especially those who are not fed solely on a high quality commercial food with no tit-bits or special treats or add-ins - which I think is most of them!

 

[brandimom]

We do the raw goat's milk which I purchase at my vet's office. We started giving it to our 12 y.o. gh who is becoming very hard to feed as she has had some medical issues this year. Each a.m. and p.m. we were wondering if she would eat and what she would eat as we were trying so many things. So I went back to giving her the goat milk and she has eaten every meal with it in it.

[greytpups]

When I was trying to rehydrate Ben, I gave him lactose-free milk. My vet was aghast because he thought Ben would get diarrhea and defeat the purpose. He was fine with lactose-free. I have given them unpasteurized goat's milk I got as a sample at GIG in the past and they loved it but I don't have a supplier.

[wendell]

Thanks for sharing.

[Guest Johberry]

Just bought the bigger carton of the Answers brand goat's milk for our hound. Decided to purchase due to the good reviews on the forum and since we're running out of his powdered probiotics. Thanks for all the info, this board is greyt.

[brandimom]

We use the raw goat's milk from Answers. Here is more information about the safety. In the store-search section is a list of the stores that carry Answers products. I've been giving the raw goat's milk for a while now and everyone loves it and does well with it.

I too use it from answers which I can buy at the local vet's office. I have a senior who is now a picky eater. I think the goat's milk helps.

[AstasMinion]

We do the raw goat's milk which I purchase at my vet's office. We started giving it to our 12 y.o. gh who is becoming very hard to feed as she has had some medical issues this year. Each a.m. and p.m. we were wondering if she would eat and what she would eat as we were trying so many things. So I went back to giving her the goat milk and she has eaten every meal with it in it.

 

We did a similar thing with our Asta during her last year or more when her medications list was LONG. The raw goat's milk helped her eat more, and I felt that it improved her digestion/output.

[Guest Scarter55]

i think the safest way to consume raw dairy is from a local farmer that you can visit and verify the conditions of the farm meet with your comfort level.

 

In terms of the necessity of dogs eating dairy, other than all the rich nutrients it can contain, the healthy bacteria is a huge benefit. Yes, wolves wouldn't consume any dairy, but they also aren't eating what we feed our dogs, which is almost devoid of any beneficial bacteria. Even if you feed a raw diet, chances are that meat isn't as healthy as what a wolf would eat in the wild. Of course this isn't true with pasteurized milk, but if you can't or don't want to go the raw route yogurt is a good source. Just my opinions.