It all started with a sound best described as a dinosaur chomping down a giant Redwood. But incredibly it was coming from my mom’s cat, Tuxedo. Right then it struck me that I had never heard him chew his food before. So what was this new dining anomaly? It was the first sign of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) soon followed by intermittent vomiting, changes in stool, and non-stop eating frenzies. 

And while steroid treatment has helped, it led to diabetes which is a common side effect. 

Unfortunately, cats, unlike dogs, tend to have a difficult time switching to a raw food diet later in life. Cat's rely heavily on texture when they eat, so switching it to something foreign it not always easy. We recommend raw feeding when possible and if that is not an option, a high-quality food lower in carbohydrates and grain and wheat-free is best. Food can is a big culprit in triggering allergies and inflammation.

Another magic addition to your pet's diet which almost all dogs and cats do love is Raw Goat Milk.

Let's Get some Raw Goat Milk Facts:

72% percent of the milk used throughout the world is from goats. According to the Journal of American Medicine, goat milk is the “most complete food known.” Milk is a raw food designed by nature. When pets are fed raw goat milk with all its nutrients, it is equivalent to giving them raw organ meat, raw fat, and raw bones. Although the mineral content of both cow and goat milk is similar, goat’s milk contains: 

• 13% more calcium…  
• 25% more Vitamin B-6…  
• 47% more Vitamin A…  
• 134% more potassium…  
• 27% more of the antioxidant selenium…  
• 3x more niacin.

Goat’s milk helps to increase the pH of the bloodstream because it is the dairy product highest in the amino acid L-glutamine. 

Benefits of Raw Goat Milk

So what is the biggest difference between cow and goat milk? Goat milk is alkaline and cow milk is acid. Because the protein in goat milk forms a softer curd, the body can digest it in just 20 minutes. Having fat molecules one-fifth the size of those in cow’s milk makes it easily digestible and tolerable to those with compromised digestive systems.  USDA and A&M University, Texas studies have confirmed that goat’s milk has more acid-buffering capacity than over the counter antacids. 

Brands of Raw Goat Milk

There are several brands on the market from dry to wet – pasteurized and unpasteurized. I bought unpasteurized flavored with cinnamon and honey. I was concerned about the honey because of Tuxedo’s diabetes so I called the company. They said the honey feeds the probiotics (good bacteria) which convert the sugar to lactic acid. Essentially there is no sugar left and lactic acid aids in digestion which is good for the IBS. 

Safety Standards

Raw food does have a risk factor. However, raw milk has stricter standards than pasteurized. The bacteria count for pasteurized milk is 15,000 per ml while certified raw milk is 10,000 ml.  

With any type of raw food, however, proper handling is a must to ensure there’s no contamination.  It’s a good idea to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds if contact is made and best not to kiss your pet. Bacterial transmission is a real threat. 

GOAT FACTS

• They were the first animal to be domesticated over 10,000 years ago in Iran.
• Before coins were used as money, goats were traded for silver because they were so valuable.
• Some goats can climb trees & jump as high as 5 feet or more.
• There are about 300 varieties and each breed gives different tasting milk.
• Sometimes goats are kept with racehorses as companions because of their calming effect on them. The term “get your goat” is rumored to have originated from the practice of stealing the companion goat so the racehorse would do poorly.
• Goats have rectangular pupils which give them 320-340 degree vision so they virtually see all around them without moving. 
• One Egyptian pharaoh was buried with more than 2,000 goats.

If you are looking for more information on Raw Goat Milk and how it might help your pet check out Answers Pet Food. They have a ton of information on their site, answer their emails, and even hold webinars to learn more about their products.

*this is not a paid post, we just believe in what Answers Raw does.