Is Goat Milk Good for Dogs? 

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Most dogs can tolerate goat milk. And yes, goat milk offers several benefits, but is goat milk good for dogs? It’s nutrient-rich and a good choice for the many lactose intolerant canines. 

Stick to giving your dog small amounts of goat milk mixed into its food. However, don’t give goat milk to your dog to drink on its own, as this would be too much. 

Is Goat Milk Good For Dogs?

Your canine companion will probably love the taste of goat milk, so it’s great to encourage them to enjoy their food. Let’s find out everything you need to know about whether goat milk is suitable for dogs.

Health Benefits of Goat Milk For Dogs

Goat milk offers a variety of health benefits. If your dog likes it and doesn’t show any sign of digestive upset, you can feed small amounts of it to them (in addition to their regular diet). 

Digestive Benefits

Goat milk is beneficial for canines with sensitive digestive systems, as it directly benefits digestion. 

The smaller fat molecules in goat’s milk mean that the milk is easier to digest. In fact, goat’s milk is so digestible that it’s safe for all mammals to drink. 

As long as your dog doesn’t have extreme lactose intolerance, goat’s milk can calm down an already upset stomach. 

Beneficial Nutrients

Goat milk boasts a variety of nutrients, including fatty acids, protein, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and electrolytes. The nutrition in goat milk helps strengthen the immune and digestive systems. 

Let’s take a look at a few of the nutrients found in goat’s milk that are beneficial for your pet: 

• Calcium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Niacin
• Essential fatty acids
• Protein

Lower Lactose Level

Goat’s milk doesn’t contain as much lactose as cow’s milk. An advantage of goat milk is that it contains much less lactose than cow milk. Many canines have lactose intolerance. A dog may have mild lactose intolerance, or it may be severe, but this varies from dog to dog.

A dog with lactose intolerance will show symptoms of digestive upset after ingesting lactose. Common symptoms include diarrhea and even vomiting. 

Extra Hydration 

Adequate hydration is an essential part of health, and some dogs don’t drink enough water. Adding a little liquid, such as water or goat milk, to kibble will help keep your pet healthier. 

Of course, always ensure your dog has access to a bowl full of fresh water. You should clean the bowl every day. 

How Much Goat’s Milk Should I Give My Dog? 

While goat milk may benefit your canine companion, don’t go overboard. If you have a tiny dog lighter than 20 pounds, you shouldn’t exceed giving them two ounces of goat’s milk per day. If your dog weighs more than 20 pounds but less than 40 pounds, you can give them about four ounces. 

If your dog is a bit larger and ranges between 50 and 80 pounds, it can have as much as eight ounces each day. For large dogs heavier than 80 pounds, you can give them ten ounces of goat’s milk daily. 

How To Feed Goat Milk to Your Dog

You can add a small amount of goat milk to your dog’s food, mixing it in. But, remember, goat’s milk is an extra. You should never try to use it as a replacement for something in your pet’s diet. 

Make sure your pet likes goat milk before putting it in their food. After all, you don’t want to ruin a whole bowl of top quality kibble with a taste your pet hates. Your dog probably won’t hate it, though, since most dogs enjoy it.

Can Goat’s Milk Make a Dog Sick?

Yes, if you give your dog too much goat’s milk. Practice moderation when giving your dog goat milk. While it’s a healthy option and better than cow’s milk, you shouldn’t go overboard. 

Another reason not to give excessive amounts of goat’s milk to your dog is the milk’s high fat content. Although it contains healthy fats, your dog’s at risk of becoming overweight or obese if ingesting too much fat. This is why you should also avoid feeding your dog things like sour cream or cream cheese.

If you give your dog raw goat milk, he’s at higher risk of getting sick. After all, raw goat milk isn’t pasteurized and may contain dangerous bacteria and pathogens.

If your dog has severe lactose intolerance, you probably shouldn’t give it goat’s milk. While goat milk contains much less lactose than cow milk, it still has some lactose.

Start with just a tiny amount when trying to give your dog goat milk. If there are any signs of lactose intolerance, talk to your veterinarian and ask for advice. 

Is Your Dog Lactose Intolerant? 

A dog with mild lactose intolerance may be able to have goat’s milk. However, severe lactose intolerance means you cannot give this food to your pet. 

Always ask your veterinarian for advice before giving your canine companion any new food, including goat’s milk.

Can I Give My Dog Store Bought Goat Milk? 

Yes, you can give your dog store-bought goat milk. However, most veterinarians recommend choosing pasteurized goat milk, so there is no risk of harmful bacteria. 

Raw or Pasteurized Goat Milk for Dogs

While some dog owners have had success giving raw goat milk to their dogs, most experts believe that pasteurization is better. It’s safer, as pasteurization gets rid of bacteria that may harm your dog. As such, pasteurized goat milk is the best goat milk for dogs. 

The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends avoiding giving pets raw animal-source proteins, including goat milk. 

Is Powdered Goat Milk Good for Dogs? 

Yes, powdered goat milk may be suitable for dogs if you give it to them in small amounts. In addition, as a pet owner, you may appreciate the convenience of powdered goat milk. 

However, powdered goat milk doesn’t offer the same rich nutrition as fresh goat’s milk. Powdered goat milk is pasteurized goat milk that has had all its moisture removed. 

You might find that your dog doesn’t seem as enthusiastic about powdered goat milk simply because the flavor isn’t as rich as you’d find in fresh goat’s milk. 

Goat Milk for Dog’s Itchy Skin 

Is goat milk good for dogs with skin irritation? Feeding your dog small amounts of goat milk can help with their skin and coat health. Goat’s milk contains fatty acids that help keep the skin adequately hydrated, cutting down on the chance of dry and itchy skin. 

In terms of topical application, look for a goat milk shampoo specifically formulated for dogs. There are several ones available on the market. 

Goat milk has anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it may help with itchiness and skin irritation. 

So, Is Goat Milk Good for Dogs? 

Yes, goat milk is suitable for many, but not all, dogs. Most dogs tolerate and do well with small amounts of goat’s milk. It’s a healthy addition for them, offering many beneficial nutrients, and it can help to soothe their digestive systems.

Many dog owners add tiny amounts of goat milk to their dogs’ kibble, giving their pets extra hydration and adding more taste to their food. 

However, a dog with severe lactose intolerance shouldn’t have goat milk. Ask your veterinarian for advice if you’re not sure whether your dog is lactose intolerant.