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In this blog post, I explore the difference between kefir and raw goat's milk and what each brings to our dogs' diet and health.

These are staples in a dog's raw diet - so do we feed both or one over the other?  I know what I do; but I'd like to know if you feed kefir or raw goat's milk or both?

I was introduced to kefir and raw goat's milk when I first started feeding raw.  People in raw feeding groups kept talking about kefir; I didn't know what it was, but everyone in the UK and Canada fed it to their dogs. I thought kefir was the UK/Canadian term for milk or yogurt. I was wrong. I know that both kefir and raw goat's milk benefit dogs. I choose to alternate between the two; however, if you're trying to decide which to buy, look at your budget, what's available in your area, and which one works best for your dog.

What's Kefir?

Kefir is a fermented milk drink made by adding kefir grains to milk. The kefir grains combine bacteria and yeast to form a symbiotic relationship and help ferment the milk. The grains aren't actually grains but rather a mass of living microorganisms. Due to the live bacteria, kefir is often consumed for its probiotic properties, WHICH positively impact gut health. Kefir also contains protein, calcium, and vitamin D, making it a nutritious drink option for dogs.

Kefir can be made using cow's milk or goat's milk, although most products I see at pet stores are made from cow's milk.

I've tried several times to make kefir at home because it's the most cost-effective way to keep stocked up, but I failed every single time and still don't know what I did wrong (or if I did anything wrong). I don't drink milk, so I can't taste it to make sure it's right because I don't know what it should taste like.

Where to Buy Milk Kefir Grains

I've been feeding kefir to my dogs for several years now. At first, the only people who talked about kefir were other raw feeders; today, I see kefir being sold in my local grocery store (along with fermented vegetables, dandelion greens, and other cool finds). The more resources I find for feeding my dogs, the less inclined I am to learn how to make kefir at home. However, it's possible, and I'll try again one day because I learned making yogurt is easy.

An easy recipe for homemade kefir for dogs.

Over the years, people have recommended Cultures for Health for kefir grains (the video above); their grains are sold on Amazon or directly from their website.

If you don't want to work with grains, you can buy kefir at your local pet store.  Or you can purchase plain kefir at some local and natural grocery stores.

Benefits of Milk Kefir for Dogs

  • kills yeast quickly
  • relieves gas
  • promotes healing in the body
  • is a natural probiotic and supports gut health and nutrient absorption
  • alleviates allergy symptoms
  • is a natural antibiotic and antifungal

Where to Buy Kefir

Benefits of Raw Goat's Milk for Dogs

Kefir can be made from raw goat's milk, but it's not the same as raw goat's milk.  Both kefir and raw goat's milk promote healthier digestion; beyond that, they're very different foods.  I like to think that kefir is kind of like raw goat's milk on steroids because it's fermented.

Raw goat's milk is unpasteurized milk from – can you guess? – goats. Goat's milk has lower lactose than raw cow milk, making it easier for dogs to digest.

Raw goat's milk…

  • supports gut health, improves digestion, and promotes healthy gut flora
  • reduces inflammation
  • prevents diabetes or helps pet parents better manage diabetes in their dog
  • brings a lot of nutrients to the bowl, helping pet parents feed a more nutritious diet
  • alleviates allergy symptoms
  • brings more beneficial fatty acids to the bowl
  • alleviates symptoms of serious illnesses like…
    • liver disease
    • malnutrition
    • kidney disease/kidney stones
    • gastrointestinal (GI) diseases
    • heavy metal poisoning
    • urinary tract problems
    • diarrhea
  • is great for picky eaters
  • a great “food” for modified fasting days

Where to Buy Raw Goat's Milk

I buy goat milk through our local raw food co-op from a local Lake Stevens, Washington farm. You can buy raw goat's milk from your local pet store; look for the following brands:

I no longer use products by Answers Pet Food. This is a personal choice and not reflective of the quality of their pet products. Kure Pet Products, a company formed in 2021 and an alternative I loved, closed in 2022 after a lawsuit brought by Answer Pet Food.

Should We Feed Kefir or Raw Goat's Milk to Dogs?

I believe raw goat's milk and kefir are beneficial for dogs, and I alternate between the two when feeding my dogs. If I had to choose, I would go with kefir until I learned how to make it at home. My dogs tolerate both well.

How I Feed Raw Goat's Milk and Kefir to My Dogs

I alternate between raw goat's milk and kefir when feeding my dogs.

  • I've poured a few tablespoons of kefir, which has a thicker consistency, over my dogs' meals
  • I've fed kefir (or raw goat's milk) as a meal on modified fasting days
  • I've fed kefir (or raw goat's milk) as a morning meal, and fed raw as an evening meal as a modified “one feeding daily” diet
  • I've fed kefir (or raw goat's milk) as a meal (alternating with bone broth) to a dog that isn't feeling so hot

When I feed kefir or raw goat's milk as a meal, my dogs enjoy between 1 cup to 1-1/4 cups, depending on their size. This amount works for my dogs and is not a rule for feeding dogs. On their “one feeding daily” routines, I combine their normal two feedings into one meal, reducing slightly to account for the calories in the morning kefir/raw goat's milk.

In this blog post, I explore the difference between kefir and raw goat's milk and what each brings to our dogs' diet and health.

These are staples in a dog's raw diet - so do we feed both or one over the other?  I know what I do; but I'd like to know if you feed kefir or raw goat's milk or both?

Read More About Raw Feeding



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