The benefits of feeding your pet raw goat milk

Goats
Written By Andrea Varnai

Raw milk is not something you can find in a pet store, so you don’t hear a lot about the benefits of it. 

If you answer, yes, to any of the following questions, raw goats milk may be a good thing to add to your pet’s diet. 

  • Do you ever notice that your dog’s ears, eyes and nose get pink or red after they eat? 

  • Do you ever see your dog itching or licking at their paws? 

  • Do your pets eat a lot of grass or noticeably have issues with their digestion? 

  • Maybe their stools are soft or particularly stinky? (they should be pretty solid and odor free.) 

  • Does your dog have anal gland issues?

  • Does your dog seem overweight but always hungry?

Read on to understand the very underappreciated benefits of goat milk for your pet.

Benefits of Goat Milk for your Pets

1. Highly Digestible & Kind to Sensitive Stomachs

  • Smaller fat globules & less lactose make goat milk easier for pets to digest than other milk.

  • Raw goat milk naturally contains enzymes like lactase (over 60 enzymes), easing digestion and helping lactose-intolerant animals

2. Promotes a Healthy Gut Microbiome

  • Its probiotics and oligosaccharides act as pre- and probiotics, fostering a balanced intestinal flora.

  • Studies have shown that  raw milk boosted butyrate-producing bacteria and dampened pro-inflammatory microbes — on plain English this is a promising sign for inflammation, allergies, and gut health.

3. Anti-Inflammatory & Allergy Relief

  • Goat milk contains selenium, zinc, and essential fatty acids, all known for anti-inflammatory benefits.

  • It also acts as a natural antihistamine, helping alleviate allergy symptoms (itchiness, ear infections) by reducing mast cell activation.

4. Immune System Support

  • Rae goat milk is rich in immunity building vitamins A, C, D, E, calcium, magnesium, and trace elements like zinc and selenium.

  • Goat milk proteins have immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects, helping fight infections and support immunity.

5. Nutrient-Rich & Hydrating

  • It’s packed with protein, calcium, phosphorus, and medium-chain triglycerides, which support muscular health, bone strength, and energy metabolism.

  • With about 88% moisture, it adds hydration and electrolytes—especially valuable as a pour over for pets on dry kibble diets.

 Considerations & Safety

  1. Raw vs. Pasteurized

    • Raw milk retains live enzymes and beneficial bacteria but carries a small risk of pathogens (E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria). Vet guidelines often recommend pasteurized versions to ensure safety, however, then you will lose many of the benefits of the raw milk.

  2. Start Slowly

    • Introduce at small doses (e.g., ½–1 tsp per 20 lb of pet weight) to assess individual tolerance.

  3. Consult Your Vet

    • Raw goat milk should not exceed ~10% of daily caloric intake. Always tailor use to your pet's specific health needs and dietary context.

How to Feed It

As a Topper

Great over kibble, raw, or fresh food for taste, moisture, and nutrient boost.

Freeze into Cubes

A fun, cooling treat—especially for cats.

Fermented Form

(like kefir): Enhances probiotic content; beneficial for gut health as well.

Raw goat milk offers scientifically supported benefits: easier digestion, gut microbiome support, anti-inflammatory effects, immunity boosting, and added hydration. While touchpoints like pathogen risk and lactose sensitivity exist, they can be managed through proper sourcing, pasteurization, dose control, and vet guidance. For many pets—especially those with allergies, digestive issues, or on dry food—it can be a nourishing and enjoyable supplement.

We have our goat milk tested at least once a quarter to make sure it’s free of bad bacteria and pathogens to make sure it is 100% safe for your fur babies.

Contact us today for more information!


Note: This post highlights evidence from university research and peer-reviewed studies, not just anecdotal advice. That said, always consult your veterinarian before making diet changes.

References 

  • PubMed/Wiley study on goat milk proteins: immunomodulatory & anti-inflammatory effects. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1]

  • Nutritional comparisons & oligosaccharide data from Park (2010) study

    [pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  • Digestibility & probiotics details from Pure Paws & Pet Beastro purepawspet.com+2purepawspet.com+2thepetbeastro.com+2]

  • Allergy and anti-inflammatory insights from elemental pet nutrition & puppy cake sources [elementalpetnutrition.com]

Andrea Varnai
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