Many pet owners are becoming more conscious about their dogs’ nutritional needs. Who is to say that we blame them for that? One of the things that dog parents are looking into is alternative milk sources that can help with digestion, along with other health benefits. It’s not often that you hear about giving dogs milk (however, digestion issues may arise with dairy).
One alternative in particular is goat milk. How can it be great for canine nutrition? We’ll discuss the details in this guide. You’ll be surprised what kind of alternatives will be best suited for dogs like yours, especially when it comes to their dietary needs.
Why Is Goat Milk Better than Cow Milk for Dogs?
A dog’s digestive system can process their mother’s milk during its time as a puppy. However, many adult dogs are lactose intolerant. This means consuming cow’s milk will be a challenge of its own. For this reason, goat milk can be an excellent alternative to this issue. That’s because goat milk contains significantly lower levels of lactose.
As such, goat milk can be easier to digest for dogs. Plus, it will mean fewer instances of gastrointestinal upset that is uncomfortable for dogs. Here’s the best part: goat milk is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals compared to cow’s milk. These will be excellent for a dog’s overall health, including their coat, immune system functions, and much more.
What Are the Key Nutritional Benefits of Goat Milk for Dogs
Knowing the nutritional benefits of goat milk is key for you as a dog parent, especially if you want what’s best for your canine companion. With this said, we will be taking a look at some of the key nutritional benefits that dogs can enjoy with goat milk. They include the following:
Better Digestibility and Gut Health
Goat milk contains probiotics and prebiotics, both of which help healthy gut bacteria that is beneficial for a dog’s digestion and gut health. They maintain digestive balance, improve nutrient absorption, and strengthen the immune system. The fat globules in goat’s milk can break down easily, making it a lower workload on their digestive system, especially during the digestion process. You may also pair it with probiotic chews to ensure excellent gut health for the long term
Rich Vitamins and Mineral Profile
You get essential vitamins such as A, B-complex, C, D, and E. Plus, you get minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. All of these nutrients are essential to bone health, muscle function, and overall vitality in dogs, from puppies to seniors. The bioavailability of goat’s milk is quite high, and dogs can utilize and benefit from the vitamins and minerals that are all essential to their health.
Immune System Support
A strong immune system that protects dogs against pathogens while bolstering recovery support from illness and stress is key. As such, goat’s milk has immunoglobulins that will give those natural immune defenses the boost they deserve. The frequency of minor health issues can be reduced with regular consumption of goat milk. It will also support overall wellness in dogs.
Whether they are puppies or becoming seniors, excellent health support can be quite beneficial for your dog. They may move around and have more energy compared to other dogs. Plus, they might not be slowed down by their age either, especially if you are using other Under the Weather products such as Under the Weather’s Disc and Spine Chews.
Skin and Coat Health
As mentioned, goat milk is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins. All of these can provide your dog with healthy skin and a shiny coat. If you have a dog that regularly deals with skin allergies, such as dry, itchy skin or a dull coat, you may notice improvement if you add goat milk to their diet. It contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the skin and promote healing.
How to Choose the Best Goat Milk for Dogs
If you are looking to choose the best goat milk for dogs, there may be some considerations in terms of the options available to you. Here’s how you can choose the best goat milk:
Fresh vs. Powdered vs. Frozen Options
Choosing goat milk for dogs may be a challenge. One reason is that you don’t have options that are created equal. Nevertheless, each goat milk option does have its own distinct advantages. Fresh goat milk has the highest nutritional value and will taste more natural. One of its major downsides is the short shelf life, and it may not be readily available in all areas.
Meanwhile, powdered goat milk addresses the storage capability issue while providing excellent convenience. When properly reconstituted, you can maintain the most nutritional benefits of goat’s milk. Finally, frozen goat milk can also be a good option since it offers near-fresh quality with a longer storage life. The good news is that frozen goat milk is mostly available at pet specialty stores.
Raw vs. Pasteurized: What Is Best?
One of the ongoing debates between raw and pasteurized goat milk for dogs is weighing the benefits against safety concerns. Raw goat milk has all the beneficial bacteria and natural enzymes that lead to maximum benefits for a dog’s digestive and immune functions. On the other hand, there may be harmful bacteria that could cause illness, triggering potential safety issues (the same applies to raw milk in general).
Pasteurized goat milk eliminates those dangerous pathogens while ensuring the nutritional benefits are retained. The best choice is pasteurized goat milk, which can be the safest choice for your dog, especially when it comes to preserving their health. Plus, they can still live a healthier lifestyle without the risks.
Reading Labels and Avoiding Additives
When shopping for goat milk products, you must spend time looking through the ingredients list. What you need to be looking for are products that don’t contain any artificial preservatives, added sugars, or other unnecessary additives. As such, goat milk should contain no harmful additives and minimal processing. It needs to be specifically formulated for pets, meaning it will have plenty of nutrients, while safety standards were addressed during production.
Other products to avoid should be the ones that contain artificial colors, sweeteners, and flavors. All of these can be harmful to dogs. Make sure that you get pure goat milk or goat milk with added probiotics. Both of these are considered the safest choices for dogs and provide them with numerous benefits.
How to Properly Introduce Goat’s Milk to Dogs (with Serving Guidelines)
Now that you have a good idea of what goat’s milk can do for your dog, it’s time to determine how to include it in their diet. For this section, let’s give you a step-by-step guide on how to incorporate it daily so they can enjoy the full benefits and more. Here’s what you need to do:
Start Slowly
Start with small amounts in your dog’s diet. This will allow you to measure their individual tolerance and response. A tablespoon will be a sufficient amount for small dogs, while a quarter cup will be great for larger breeds. Over several days, increase the amount gradually if no adverse reactions occur.
Appropriate Serving Sizes
Determining the serving size for goat milk will be based on several factors, including the dog’s size, age, and overall diet. As a rule of thumb, goat’s milk should not exceed 10 percent of their daily caloric intake. In other words, this will be around 1 to 4 ounces a day, depending on their size.
Frequency and Timing
Dogs can consume goat milk daily and get excellent benefits. Some might do well if fed with it every other day. Serve goat milk as a meal topper, a special treat, or a training reward. Make sure it’s served at room temperature rather than cold from refrigeration.
It’s also important to address potential concerns that may arise, including allergic reactions. It is rare for some dogs to develop a goat milk allergy. However, if you notice digestive upset, changes in behavior, or excessive scratching, discontinue use and contact your veterinarian. Also, if your dog is overweight or prone to gaining weight, reduce their regular food portions so they can get an appropriate amount of calories from goat milk.
Give Your Dog the Healthiest Lifestyle Possible with Under the Weather
Goat milk can certainly be one of the best additions to your dog’s diet. Aside from this, you can benefit from some of the food and supplemental options from Under the Weather. We offer plenty of different chews, supplements, and bland diet dog foods that are all specially formulated so your dog can live a healthy life no matter what the stage. Check out what we have in stock today!
