Can dogs drink goat milk?

Goat's milk has smaller fat globules and a slightly different protein profile, which some people find easier to digest. For dogs, the main issue is lactose, and the difference there is small. Whole goat's milk carries about 65 to 70 calories per 100 ml, similar to whole cow's milk.

Fermented goat's milk products made for dogs have some of the lactose broken down during fermentation.

Start with a tablespoon for a small dog or two to three tablespoons for a large one, poured over food. Watch for gurgling, gas, or loose stools over the next 12 hours. If all is well, you can offer a similar amount a few times a week. Count it within your dog's daily calories.

Stop if you notice any itching or ear scratching over the following days, since some dogs react to milk proteins.

Raw goat's milk sold for pets has not been pasteurized, so it can carry Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, and Campylobacter. These can affect your dog and the people handling the bowl. If you choose raw milk, keep it cold, wash bowls thoroughly, and wash your hands.

Pasteurized goat's milk from the supermarket avoids that risk.

Goat's milk is sometimes suggested for orphaned puppies, but it does not match the nutrient profile of a mother dog's milk. Puppies that cannot nurse need a proper puppy milk replacer, with amounts and feeding times set by your vet.