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I was introduced to kefir and raw goats milk when I first started feeding raw. People in raw feeding groups kept taking about kefir; I didn't know what it was, but everyone in the UK and Canada was feeding it to their dogs. Shortly after, I learned about raw goats milk – Answers Pet Food sells it – and how beneficial it is for dogs.
I could have Googled both kefir and raw goats milk, but I was so overwhelmed with this information that I made some assumptions, and they stuck with me for a while before I learned what kefir and goats milk were and the role they played in dog nutrition.
What I Thought Kefir Was
At first, I thought kefir was what folks in the UK and Canada called milk and yogurt. Then I thought it was homemade yogurt. Then I thought it was similar to Greek yogurt.
What is Kefir?
Kefir looks like milk (some call it kefir milk), but it's made from kefir grains and whole milk; mixed together, these ingredients ferment at room temperature. Kefir is great for digestive health and gives the immune system a big kick in the butt. A couple of months ago, Sydney had a yeasty ear, I treated it with essential oils and added kefir to her diet for the week. She hasn't had an issue with her ears since.
Where to Buy Milk Kefir Grains
Kefir is new to me and other than local raw feeders, I only know one person who is familiar with kefir. She makes kefir milk at home and recommended Cultures for Health (the video above). You can order grains on Amazon.com.
- Milk Kefir Grains from Cultures for Health
- Water Kefir Grains from Cultures for Health (using water instead of milk)
- Glass jars
- Nylon Mesh Strainer
If you don't want to work with the grains, you can buy kefir at your local pet store. Look for the following brands:
And in some areas, you can buy plain kefir at a local, natural grocery store.
Benefits of Milk Kefir for Dogs
I learned first hand that kefir is a powerful addition to a dog's diet and placed an order for the milk kefir grains mentioned above. $20 for grains that can be used multiple times is more affordable than buying kefir at the pet store.
I'll be adding it to my dogs' diet, because:
- kefir kills yeast quickly
- kefir relieves gas
- kefir promotes healing in the body
- kefir is a natural probiotic
- kefir alleviates allergy symptoms
- kefir is a natural antibiotic and antifungal
I know plenty of people who make kefir successfully. I tried several times and never managed to make anything happen and I now buy kefir from Answers Pet Food. I'm not ready to give up yet and will be ordering kefir grains soon to give it another go.
Benefits of Raw Goats Milk for Dogs
Kefir can be made from raw goats milk, but it's not the same as raw goats milk. Both kefir and raw goats milk promote healthier digestion, beyond that, they're very different foods. I like to think that kefir is kind of like raw goats milk on steroids (or fermented raw goats milk).
Raw goats milk is unpasteurized milk from – can you guess? – goats. When people learn that I give my dogs goats milk, they often reply, “my dog is lactose intolerant and can't have goats milk.” My response is, “are you sure?”
Goats milk has lower lactose than raw cow milk, making it easier for dogs to digest. I give it to my dogs because they love it. I also give it to them, because raw goats milk helps with several chronic illnesses, like:
- Liver disease
- Heavy metal poisoning
- Malnutrition
- Kidney disease
- Kidney stones
- Diabetes
- GI disease
- Poor digestion
- Diarrhea
Source: Dogs Naturally Magazine
Where to Buy Raw Goats Milk
I buy my dogs' goat milk through our local raw food co-op; it comes from a local farm in Lake Stevens, Washington. You can buy raw goats milk from your local pet store; look for the following brands:
- Answers Pet Food (recommended)
- Steve's Real Food
- OC Raw
Should We Give Kefir or Goats Milk to Dogs?
Today, I give my dogs both, alternating the two in their diet each week or so. I usually add it to their meals (as a meal topper) and sometimes I feed goats milk as a separate treat a few times a week. The amount depends on what else they're eating that day and if I'm fasting them. On fasting days, my boys get one cup each of raw goats milk; my girls get a 1/2 cup each.
I feed kefir as a meal topper, pouring a few tablespoons (I eyeball it) over their meals. I usually add kefir when one of my dogs has tummy issues and, in the past, I've given it to Sydney to help boost her immune system when she had yeasty ears. It's also great for when Rodrigo has itchy paws due to the season changes. I usually see improvement with allergy symptoms within 48 hours of adding kefir to their diet.
When it comes to dosages, I've found it easier to wing it rather than stick to specific dosages. It's food. My goal is to avoid overfeeding or adding too many calories, so the more goats milk I add to a meal, the less other foods will be in the dish. For instance, Rodrigo usually eats 1 pound per meal, when I feed him goats milk or kefir, I decrease the raw in his meal from 16 ounces to 13-14 ounces, and adding 2 ounces of raw goats milk or kefir.
Billy Hoekman of Answers Pet Food does too, daily.
I myself drink raw goats milk, I by this at a health store, I have also bought kefir and shared with my dog
I belong to Raw Feeding 101 and Raw Feeding University. I find that these are the most informational groups with the least amount of drama. I have a page that lists all of my favorite groups, etc, here: https://www.keepthetailwagging.com/resources
Which raw feeding groups do you belong to? I would like to join!
I personally think it’s six of one, half a dozen of the other. Both are beneficial. I feed milk kefir because that’s what I have access to where I live. But if I had a good source of goat’s milk yogurt and it didn’t have sugar, flavoring, then I’d definitely give it a try.
Is goat’s milk kefir more nutritious than goat’s milk yogurt? The yogurt (live cultures) is less expensive at my grocers.
One of my dogs has a beef intolerance, but he does well on the answer’s cow kefir.
I want to try the Answers Cows Milk with Kerfir but I feel my dog has a food sensitivity when I feed her beef… seems like her ears kinda flare up. Do you think the cows milk could have the same result? She loves the goats milk and fermented fish stock but wanted to try the kerfir to help control yeast etc
I would recommend giving your dog raw goat’s milk from Answers Pet Food.
I am so confused! I do not if I should give my 6 pound dog with Kidney disease raw goat’s milk or goat’s milk kefir???
Kombucha also has a little alcohol in it which is not good for pets.
I make my own kombucha, since much of it is made with a caffeine tea, water, scoby and sugar, I would reconsider giving this to pets. They are not supposed to have caffeine or sugar. The second ferment is when the sugar is eaten up more and so the first ferment is even stronger sugar amounts. I would not recommend kombucha for pets.
My Sprouts has Goat’s Milk Kefir, which my dogs seem to be handling very well: http://redwoodhill.com/stories/products/plain-kefir/
Here is a link to locate raw milk (goat, cow, and others as well) in your area: https://www.realmilk.com/real-milk-finder/
Just enter your zip code, and it will give you sources and distance. Good luck!
Some people use store bought kefir that is plain (some have flavors and sugar added). I haven’t found that option at my store which is why I use kefir by Answers Pet Food. I tried making my own and it was a big flop.
Is it ok to use store bought kefir from the grocery store like they sell for humans or is it different?
Making kefir is fantastic for your dogs – they are so lucky to have you. I wish I could make it too; I tried a couple of times and couldn’t get it to thicken up.
I’m unable to get my hands on raw goats milk, or even raw cow milk in my area. I know I can buy it online and have it shipped, but it’s SO expensive. I make my own kefir for myself with whole organic pasteurized milk from the store, do you think that would be an okay option to give to my dogs?
This stuff is a nice option as well if you live in an area that doesn’t have local dairy available. https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/pro-bloom
I wouldn’t feel comfortable using goat’s milk in the can – I prefer to get it from Answers Pet Food or a local dairy where I live.
Can you use can goats milk?
I’ll be making milk kefir when I get my grains. For now, I have a gazillion gallons of raw goats milk in the freezer so I’ll be using it to make my milk kefir, but also feeding it to my dogs since I have so much 🙂
Thanks for the tip, Sharon.
Our dogs also like kombucha. They like it straight, no need for a second ferment and adding fruit. Just another way to naturally supplement their diet.
We use either raw cow’s milk or raw goat’s milk to make our kefir. Five dogs from 20 pounds to 200 pounds share a pint with their breakfast twice a week. If you don’t want the bother of draining out the grains, you can get a starter powder from Body Ecology or Cultures for Health. Just mix the powder in a quart of milk, let set out for 24 hours, then put in the refrigerator. Save the last bit of kefir to culture your next quart (Reuse at least 7 times, then use a fresh packet of starter). Our dogs like it a bit over-cultured and thick like yogurt so straining out the grains can be a pain. With the powder, you avoid this. I really think those people who think their dogs are lactose-intolerant have dogs that are reacting to the lack of natural enzymes in pasteurized, homogenized milk and milk from cows conventionally raised in feedlots rather than pasture raised.
This is interesting- I have a friend who makes kombucha regularly out of live cultures and the process is similar only with fruit and black tea. One question: I noticed you said you were going to use the kefir and goats milk separately- would it be too much to use them together (the goats milk to make the kefir)? Or do you prefer milk kefir? Thanks!