Can I give my dog goat’s milk?

The Problem with Giving Your Dog Cow’s Milk

Most domestic canines have varying degrees of lactose intolerance, with older dogs unable to digest lactose more than younger ones. Giving milk, especially to adult dogs, may trigger inflammation along the intestinal tract that can cause gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and diarrhea.

Traditional cow’s milk also has a high carbohydrate content and can predispose a dog to diabetes mellitus if given regularly. Lastly, the protein component of cow’s milk, called casein, can cause an allergic reaction in dogs. Canine food allergy occurs when their body mounts an immune response against a component of the food ingredient they ingest. Allergic reactions to milk can manifest as persistent skin problems or gastrointestinal problems, depending on how severe the reaction is.

Alternative to Cow’s Milk

Given the problems that go with giving cow’s milk to dogs, it’s only normal for pet owners to look for an alternative. Milk products derived from plants such as soy or oat milk can be given to dogs as a suitable alternative to traditional cow’s milk. Plant-based milk technically has reduced risks of health problems but they’re also not as nutritious as traditional cow’s milk.

One alternative to cow’s milk that has become quite popular among pet owners is goat’s milk. Goat’s milk, as it turns out, is a more popular milk option around the world and is the most-consumed type of milk worldwide. Goat’s milk properties make it highly nutritious and highly digestible, reducing the risks of adverse food reactions when given to dogs.

Aside from being safe, there are also many health benefits of giving goat’s milk to dogs as a supplement. Below are some of the few amazing health benefits of goat’s milk!

Health Benefits of Giving Your Dog Goat’s Milk

Ideal for Lactose Intolerant Dogs

The most common reason cow’s milk is not usually recommended for dogs is its lactose content. Dogs have an inherent lactose intolerance that becomes more pronounced as they get older. Giving cow’s milk to dogs can lead to severe gastrointestinal signs due to their inability to digest the lactose component of the cow’s milk.

Goat’s milk, on the other hand, has an enzyme called lactase that can help digest the lactose content. This enzyme has higher concentrations in raw goat’s milk, making it more digestible, and has significantly fewer risks of causing gastrointestinal problems in dogs.

Fewer Risks of Causing Allergic Reactions in Dogs

Cow’s milk contains complex proteins that can trigger a dog’s immune system, causing an allergic reaction and leading to a multitude of symptoms. These complex protein molecules are not present in goat’s milk, making them safer and highly digestible.

Goat’s Milk is Highly Digestible

Aside from the different protein molecules and the presence of enzymes in goat’s milk, its fat molecules are also significantly smaller compared to cow’s milk. These properties in a goat’s milk make it more highly digestible compared to traditional cow’s milk. Being highly digestible can translate to various health benefits for dogs.

This means that the nutrients in the goat’s milk will be properly digested, absorbed, and utilized by the dog’s body. This also eliminates the risk of inflammation within the intestine, preventing symptoms such as diarrhea. Lastly, goat’s milk is highly digestible because its innate enzyme content can help the dog digest other food ingredients in its diet, resulting in overall better gastrointestinal health.

Goat’s Milk is Full of Nutrients

Goat’s milk contains high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, protein, fatty acids, enzymes, and other trace elements essential in maintaining a dog’s health. Most of these are also present in cow’s milk, but the risks of inducing gastrointestinal signs and its low digestibility translate to poor absorption of these nutrients.

That is not the case when you give goat’s milk to your dog. Its high digestibility ensures that all the beneficial nutrients like minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids are fully absorbed and helps meet your dog’s daily nutrition requirements.

Goat’s Milk Helps Regulate Your Dog’s Gastrointestinal pH

A dog’s gastrointestinal tract has different pH levels at each segment. Maintaining the ideal pH of the gastrointestinal tract is essential for optimal digestion and absorption of food.

Dogs are highly prone to developing hyperacidity (a sudden decrease in the stomach’s pH) which can lead to vomiting and indigestion. Goat’s milk contains high amounts of potassium which helps control and neutralize the acidity of the stomach. Providing goat’s milk to dogs can help regulate their stomach pH and prevent hyperacidity from developing.

Goat’s Milk Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Goat’s milk is rich in essential fatty acids, making it a great dietary supplement for dogs. Fatty acids are an important energy source for dogs. Some fatty acids also have anti-inflammatory properties, which help control and prevent any inflammatory responses along the intestinal wall.

The anti-inflammatory properties of goat’s milk help reduce the risk of allergic reactions and can even help in chronic gastrointestinal conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. To a certain extent, it can also help manage inflammatory conditions in dogs such as osteoarthritis.

Goat’s Milk Can Help Control Infections

Providing goat’s milk to dogs not only helps meet nutritional requirements but can also help prevent various diseases caused by infectious pathogens. Goat’s milk has innate enzymes that help kill pathogenic bacteria that can infect the gastrointestinal system. It also contains probiotics that help maintain an ideal gut microbiome, which is essential in preventing pathogenic bacteria from invading, penetrating, and growing along the gastrointestinal tract.

Read more:

Vitamin and Supplement Safety for Dogs and Cats

Fish Oil Supplements for Dogs

Joint Supplements for Pets

Need to speak with a veterinarian regarding your dog’s food or another condition?

Click here to schedule a video consult to speak to one of our vets. You can also download the FirstVet app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores.