Goat's milk

What is goat's milk?

Goat's milk is the milk of female goats, which are usually kept on farms or in small herds. Goat's milk has a slightly sweet taste and a creamy consistency. It contains many nutrients, such as protein, fat, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin C and vitamin D. Goat's milk also contains less lactose than cow's milk, which makes it better tolerated by lactose-intolerant dogs.

What are the benefits of goat's milk for dogs?

Goat's milk can provide many health benefits for your dog, especially if he suffers from certain ailments. Here are some of them:

• Goat's milk can aid digestion, as it is easier to digest than cow's milk and contains probiotic bacteria that support intestinal flora.
• Goat's milk can strengthen the immune system as it contains antibodies and enzymes that work against pathogens.
• Goat's milk can nourish the skin and coat as it contains essential fatty acids and zinc, which reduce inflammation and accelerate wound healing.
• Goat's milk can protect bones and joints as it contains a lot of calcium and other minerals that are important for bone formation and cartilage development.
• Goat's milk can increase energy and vitality as it contains a lot of protein and vitamin B2, which are important for metabolism and muscle function.

What are the disadvantages of goat's milk for dogs?

Goat's milk is not suitable for every dog. There are some disadvantages or risks that you should be aware of before giving your dog goat's milk. Here are some of them:

• Goat's milk can cause allergies if your dog is sensitive to milk protein or other ingredients. Typical symptoms include itching, skin rash, diarrhea or vomiting.
• Goat's milk can lead to obesity if your dog drinks too much of it. Goat's milk has a high fat and calorie content and should therefore only be fed in moderation.
• Goat's milk can lead to deficiency symptoms if your dog lives exclusively on it. Goat's milk is not a complete food and does not cover all of your dog's nutritional needs. You should therefore always provide a balanced diet with high-quality dry or wet food.
• Goat's milk can lead to infections if it is not processed hygienically. Raw milk can contain germs such as salmonella or E. coli, which can harm your dog. You should therefore only buy pasteurized or freeze-dried goat's milk or heat it yourself.

How do you feed goat's milk to dogs?

If you want to give your dog goat's milk, you should follow some tips to give him the best of this natural product:

• Start with a small amount and observe your dog's reaction. If he shows no signs of intolerance, you can slowly increase the amount.
• Do not give your dog more than 10% of its daily calorie requirement of goat's milk. This corresponds to about 30 ml per kilogram of body weight. Do not exceed this amount to avoid overfeeding.
• Mix goat's milk with water or other liquids to dilute it. This makes it easier to digest and reduces the fat and calorie content.
• Do not give goat's milk together with other dairy products, such as yogurt or cheese. This can overload the digestive system and cause bloating or diarrhea.
• Only give goat's milk as a supplement or treat and not as the main food. Goat's milk should only ever be part of your dog's diet and not his main food source.