Everybody knows cats enjoy their milk, and we've seen dogs that enjoy just about anything they can get their tongue on, that's no surprise. But why are we selling goat's milk and similar alternatives in our freezers at Wags? Let's talk about it. Goat milk, not cow milk, is actually the most consumed milk in the world.
Consider The Source
Like anything else that you feed your dog, consider the source of what's going in their stomach. A number of our past posts have gone into detail about becoming an informed consumer between the pet aisles. When it comes to goat milk, the nutritional value of it does depend on the diet and overall health of the animals that are producing it. Goats that are pastured and grass fed in a low stress environment, free of antibiotics and free of GMO feeds will produce far better quality milk.
Benefits
- Goat milk is more easily digested due to low amounts of the alpha-s1-casein protein as well as smaller fat globules make it easier on the gastrointestinal systems.
- Goat milk is usually raw - not pasteurized. Pasteurization and heat destroy the lactase enzyme, so dogs (or people) that don't produce lactase and are therefore lactose-intolerant can digest goat's milk without problems.
- Goat milk is a natural antihistamine and an inflammation suppressant, resulting in a lower chance of allergic reactions.
- Contains high amounts of a cancer-fighting fat called Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
- Rich in vitamin V2 which assures proper placement and usage of calcium, improving bone health.
What's Inside
Goat milk contains vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, trace elements, enzymes, protein, and fatty acids. In fact, the body can digest goat’s milk in 20 minutes. Having fat molecules one-fifth the size of those in cow’s milk makes it easily digestible and tolerable even for dogs with digestive issues. Raw goat milk is a source of 200 live and easily digested probiotics that can help with many chronic diseases, including:
- Liver disease
- Heavy metal poisoning
- Malnutrition
- Kidney disease
- Kidney stones
- Diabetes
- GI disease
- Poor digestion
- Diarrhea
It's not often you find something that packs as much of a punch as goat milk. Often referred to as the universal mammalian milk, goat milk is now gaining popularity in the US – for both pets and their people. We're on board.