In
this article:
- Dairy, An Ancient Food for Dogs and Cats
- Is Dairy Appropriate for your Dog and Cat
- Lactose Intolerance
- Hypersensitivities
- Good Saturated Fat Supports Health
- Not for Dogs and Cats with an Active Yeast Infection
- Raw Goat Milk, Kefir and Yogurt
- Health Benefits
- How to Choose a Good Product
- Recommended Serving Guideline
- Cheese
- Health Benefits
- How to Choose a Good Product
- Recommended Serving Guideline
-
Recipes
- Pancakes and Waffles for Dogs
- Smoothies for Dogs
- Cheese and Meat Treats
1.0 Diary, An Ancient Food for Dogs and Cats
For many centuries dogs and cats have had dairy in their daily diet. Traditional examples, include goat milk and kefir.
2000 years ago, the shepherds of the Caucasian
Mountains
developed kefir, a fermented
dairy product made from the milk of cows or goats.
The shepherds gave fresh kefir to their dogs, as part of the daily diet.
Prior to the 1950's mass popularization of dry food (kibble), people fed their dogs and cats, fresh whole food, including dairy products. At that
time dogs lived twice the life-span that they do today.
My dogs enjoy pastured grass fed-sourced kefir and raw unpasteurized goat milk as part of their daily diet. My cats don't like goat milk, but they do enjoy kefir and cheese.
2.0 Is Dairy Appropriate for Your Dog and Cat
2.1 Lactose Intolerance
Some dogs and cats are lactose intolerant. However your dog and cat may not have an intolerance to all dairy products.
Kefir products are 97% to 99% lactose free. Most lactose intolerant dogs and cats can tolerate kefir.
Most lactose intolerant dogs and cats can tolerate hard cheeses that contain trace amounts of lactose. For example:
- American cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Edam
- Gouda
- Parmesan
- Swiss Cheese
2.2 Hypersensitivity
Some dogs and cats are hypersensitive (intolerant or allergic) to:
- Specific animals e.g. buffalo, cow, goat, etc.
- Part of an animal, i.e. a dog may tolerate organs but not muscle meat from a specific animal.
- Pasteurized milk, but do fine with unpasteurized milk.
To learn more about food allergies in dogs and cats, go to this article.
Choose the dairy products that best suit your individual dog and cat's personal situation.
2.3 Health Supporting Omega Fatty Acids
Does your dog need to lose or gain weight? Dairy Can Help
Studies have confirmed that good saturated fat is not
associated with obesity or heart disease.
Good saturated fat can improve metabolic health, heart health and is essential for supporting overall health.
A species
appropriate diet for dogs should include approximately 30% high quality appropriate fats.
Dairy products such as goat milk, kefir, yogurt, butter, ghee and cheese sourced from free-range pastured animals is a source of high quality fats (omega fatty acids).
CAFO sourced dairy products are:
- Contaminated with glyphosate (a gut disrupter and carcinogen).
- Contain too much omega-6 and insufficient levels of Omega-3 fatty acids. Too much Omega-6 intake can contribute to inflammatory health issues and conditions.
- More likely to trigger intolerance or allergy response as CAFO raised animals are fed a diet of corn and soy. Corn and soy are common allergens for dogs and cats.
2.4 Not For Dogs and Cats With an Active Yeast Infection
If your dog or cat is experiencing an active yeast infection, don't give your animal dairy products. Dairy products will feed the yeast overgrowth.
Wait until the yeast infection is 100% in remission, then try introducing the dairy product.
3.0 Raw Goat Milk, Kefir, Yogurt
3.1 Health Benefits of Goat Milk, Kefir and Yogurt
a parital list
Probiotics
Raw goat milk, kefir and yogurt are a good source of probiotics. Probiotics help support: - Cancer prevention.
- Oral health.
- Wound healing.
- and...
Mitigate Conventional Antibiotic Damage
Conventional antibiotics kill the good and bad microbes (bacteria) in the
gastrointestinal tract (GI Tract). Good microbes are an essential part of your dog and cat's immune system.
Damage to the gut leaves your dog and cat very vulnerable to bacterial and yeast infections, viral infections and other health issues.
Probiotic dairy products (raw goat milk, kefir, yogurt) help re-populate your animal's gut with good bacteria.
Support Brain Function
Researchers at UCLA confirmed that the
presence of good bacteria in the GI Tract are important for proper brain
function. UCLA decided to test this theory on humans as previous research on non-human
animals had shown linked changes in gut flora to changes in effective
behaviours. You can read about the study here. Support Heart Health
The omega fatty-acids and probiotics in raw goat milk, kefir and yogurt help support heart health.
Nutritional Support
One tablespoon of kefir contains:
- 5 billion beneficial bacteria.
- B Complex vitamins, Calcium, vitamin A, Vitamin D,
magnesium, phosphorus.
- Essential amino acids.
- Tryptophan.
Read more about kefir here.
3.2 How
to Choose a Good Product for Your Dog and Cat
3.2.1 Raw Goat Milk - Should be sourced from pastured, grass fed goats.
- Should be pure, no additives.
Simple.
3.2.2 Kefir and Yogurt
The product should be:
- Grass fed pasture sourced, and/or;
- Organic.
The product should contain only the following ingredients:
Bacterial cultures, e.g.,- Bifdobacterium lactis;
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobaciullis casei
Cream, and/or:- Milk or partially skimmed milk
- Milk protein concentrate
That’s it. Nothing more.
What you don’t want in your dog or cat's dairy products:
- Agar-Agar
- Artificial food colors
- Artificial sweeteners
- Carageenan
- Corn Starch
- Lecithin
- Gallan Gum
- Gelatine
- Salt (common salt, iodized salt, table salt)
- Sugar and other sweeteners
- Tapioca
- Modified Corn Starch
- Modified Rice Starch
- Potassium Sorbate
- Etc.
3.2.3 Serving Recommendation Guidelines
Raw Goat Milk or KefirServe 1x to 2x per day cats - 1 tsp to 1 tbs
x-Small
size dogs - 1 tsp to 1 tbs
Small dogs - 1 tbs to 2 tbs
Medium
size dogs -1/4 cup
Large
dogs - 1/3 cup to 3/8 cup
Extra large dogs - 1/2 cup
YogurtServe 1x to 2x per dayx-Small
size dogs and cats - 1 tsp to 1 tbs Small dogs - 1 tbs to 2 tbsMedium
size dogs - 1/8 cupLarge
dogs - 1/3 cupExtra large dogs - 1/2 cup
Tip
As with any new
food introduced to your dog’s diet, go slow. The
probiotics in kefir are highly concentrated so give your dog or cat's system time to
adjust. For the first few days to a week cut the recommended dosage in half.
This will avoid stomach upset as your dog or cat's system adjusts to the increased
quantity of good flora in their GI tract. You can bring the daily dosage up to
the recommended amount over the space of a few days to a week or two.
4.0 Cheese for Dogs and Cats
4.1 Natural Cheese
Natural cheese is a
fermented dairy product.Natural cheese requires very few
ingredients:- Milk
- Full spectrum salt - i.e. sea salt, Himalayan salt.
- NOT common table salt or iodized salt.
- Learn more about good vs. bad salt here.
- Salt is used as a ripening and
preservation aid, also for taste
- Rennet (an enzyme)
- A starter culture (the making of yogurt
and kefir also require a starter culture)
Processed cheese food (cheese
slices, cheese spray, squeeze cheese from a tube/bottle):
- Is NOT good for your
dog or cat.
4.2 Health Benefits of Cheese
Built-in Synergy
- Cheese contains Calcium, Vitamin D3
and Vitamin K2 – in order for these vitamins to provide the maximum benefit to
the body all three need to be consumed together for efficacy.
pH Balance for Oral Health
- Eating cheese in an aid in fighting periodontal disease;
- Eating cheese drops the pH level in the mouth
- Lower pH levels help fight plaque, protects tooth enamel and erosion of teeth
- Cheddar
cheese contains the highest levels of alkali making it the best cheese
for attaining better pH levels in the oral cavity
Vitamin K2
- Cheese is a very good source of
vitamin K2
- Vitamin K2 is important for heart,
brain, bones and more
- Calcium is beneficial for bones
and blood but it is not beneficial when deposited in the arteries and muscles –
vitamin K2 controls where calcium goes or does not go in the body
- Fights cancer
- Protects nerve cells from
oxidative stress
- Slows progression of conditions
such as Cognitive
Dysfunction Syndrome – CDS (also known as Senile or Old Dog Syndrome – the canine
version of Alzheimer’s disease)
- Promotes the maintenance of
healthy bone density
- To ensure the best bioavailability
(absorption rate) K2 is best combined with fat – a combination that naturally occurs
in cheese
Calcium
- Cheese is an excellent source of
calcium
- The calcium in cheese helps to support
oral health in dogs, along with bone and blood health
Protein
- Cheese is a good source of high
quality protein and important amino acids
- Cheese is a source of good fats
- Dogs need high quality saturated fats
(Omega-6 fatty acids) and Omega-3 fatty acids
- Required to support skin, coat,
ligaments, heart, optimal brain function, and more, you can read more about
good fats here
and about the negative impacts of insufficient levels of omega-3 fatty acids here
Essential Minerals
- Such as
phosphorus and zinc
Essential vitamins (in addition to
calcium)
- Such as A, B2 (riboflavin), B12, and D
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
- CLA is a metabolism booster – helps
to prevent weight gain and treat obesity
- A powerful cancer inhibitor/fighter
- Helps to limit allergic reactions
to foods
- Promotes health of the circulatory
system
4.3 How to Choose a Good Cheese For Your Dog or Cat
The
following cheeses are good choices:
- Harder Cheese:
- Cheddar
cheese
- Colby
cheese
- Edam
cheese
- Gouda
cheese
- Hard
goat cheese
- Mozzarella
cheese
- Swiss
cheese
Cheese
made from the milk of pastured grass-fed cows (goats, etc.) vs. grain-feed animals:
- Has
about five (5) times the CLA found in cheese made from grain-fed animals;
- Contains
much higher amounts of calcium, beta-carotene, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, D
and E.
Raw
cheese made from the milk of pasture-fed animals:
- Retains natural enzymes that
increase the nutritional value of the cheese.
4.4 Recommended Serving Guideline
Minimum Daily Serving Small
size dogs and cats - 1 ounceMedium
size dogs - 1 1/2 ounce Large
dogs -2 ouncesExtra large dogs - 2 1/2 ounces
Maximum Daily Serving Maximum amount of cheese daily basis:
2 x the minimum amount noted above.
5.0 Treat Recipes With Dairy
5.1 Pancake and Waffle Recipes for Puppies and Dogs
For the recipes, go here.
5.2 Smoothie Recipes for Puppies and Dogs
For the recipes, go here. 5.3 Cheese Treat Recipes for Puppies and Dogs
For the recipes, go here.
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Article by Karen Rosenfeld.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI'm really interested in feeding kefir to my dogs. Should the kefir be low fat?
Not don't use low fat - the fat - do need good source fat in their diet, so use kefir that is at minimum 2% milk fat. Cheers, Karen
DeleteExcuse me, You said dog and cat can eat Mozzarella cheese, both low-moisture mozzarella and Fresh mozzarella kept in brine or whey can feed?
ReplyDeleteShould i feed young age or old age cheese?
Cheese is fine for puppies, teenage, adult and senior dogs. Brine can be very high in salt - if the brine that your fresh mozzarella is in is very salty - use low-moisture instead.
DeleteBoth aged cheese and young cheese can feed?
ReplyDeleteYes :>)
DeleteIs Swiss cheese and Emmental cheese the same? all kind of Swiss cheese can feed dog and cat? ex:Emmental cheese and Gruyere cheese.
ReplyDeleteCan i feed Colby-Jack cheese to substitute Colby cheese?
Yes you can use all of these cheese types.
DeleteIs Goat Milk Kefir okay for dogs? I'm assuming it is since I've heard goats milk is usually okay for dogs, but I'm just learning about Kefir.
ReplyDeleteHi Angelique goat milk Kefir, goat milk cheese, goat milk yogurt etc. are all excellent for dogs, Cheers, Karen
DeleteWhat do you recommend for overactive yeast problems in dogs? I understand the benefits of the probiotics described above but how do I rid my dog of chronic yeast in her body. Switched to six fish origen a month a go - low glycymic food that I divide and feed at two daily intervals. Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI do a lot of Diet, Nutrition, and Topical Treatment Wellness Plans for people whose dogs have chronic yeast issues - including dogs with extreme full body yeast infections...ears, skin, paws.
DeleteSimply switching to a different dry dog food will not remedy the yeast infection.
I would be happy to assist you - however to do so requires several hours of my time. You are very welcome to do as other people in your situation do and engage me to properly address this for you.
Thank you for your extensive coverage of this topic and info based on CURRENT science about probiotics and their importance in the overall health of any animal - two or four-legged.
ReplyDeleteHi, what about the salt in cheeses. Cheddar especially has a very high salt content.
ReplyDeleteWhat is your opinion on that?
Thanks!
The salt content in the cheeses are not an issue as per:
DeleteThe types of cheeses recommended;
The portions recommended;
As part of a healthy daily diet.
Hi Karen...Taking your suggestions on yogurt, kefir and cheese. I tried the yogurt, but my little girl did not like it and she threw it up. I had mixed a tiny bit with her food, but I guess she just didn't go for it. So I went and got some kefir. The only one I could find was "Organic Nancy's lowfat cultured mile Kefir". It's blueberry. The ingredients are: Pasturized organic milk, organic blueberriers, organic agave nectar, organic nonfat dry milk, organic inulin and live cultures, probiotics: Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12, L. acidophilus LA-5, L. casei, L. rhamnosus LB3. USDA Organic. IS THIS THE RIGHT KIND? ALSO, I bought some organix raw mild cheddar cheese,made with milk from pasture-raised cows....ingredients are: Organi cultured unpasteurized milk, salt, vegetarian enzymes. IS THIS THE RIGHT KIND? I so want to do this right!!! Also, it has 6% Vit A and 20% Calcium. Your input means a great deal to me. If NOT the right ones, I will continue on my search. Thank you for your time and great information for all us dog and cat lovers. You are a blessing!!
ReplyDeleteYes
ReplyDeleteHello Karen! I'm a newcomer to your web and loved reading it! I was wondering if you could broach the subject of cushing's disease in dogs as I am being faced with this challenge right now - the vet wants to start Lysodren but I am against it. Any advice you have on this subject would be greatly appreciated. My dog is on a raw diet sprinkled with Nupro and Norwegian kelp.
ReplyDeleteRecommended course of action for you in order to naturally and truly holistically support the health of your dog with Cushing's disease is http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.ca/diet-wellness/ You can email me if you are serious about engaging my services
DeleteCan i feed ricotta cheese for dogs?
ReplyDeleteyes
DeleteHi, wondering if I can give my dog plain Greek yogurt; is it just as beneficial as plain? The yogurt section in my stores mostly carry the Greek kind and it's the kind I eat too! Thanks so much! -Caroline
ReplyDeleteGreek yogurt is fine
DeleteHi Karen, is homemade organic farmers cheese good for dogs/puppies?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a very good choice!
DeleteThank you
DeleteI'm lucky to have access to raw dairy (from cow) and I learned to make my own kefir. I noticed my dog would bark and bark when I drank it so I finally gave her some. I was concerned at first, but no bad effects came from it. She loves it, so I always share.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, thanks for the great information on kefir. May I know, can I substitute milk with water (using kefier starter meant for milk)? Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteYou can make coconut water kefir.
DeleteHi karen...i add eggshell powder to my dogs homemade cooked food. If I add cheese or yogurt will that exceed the calcium intake? I know dogs can only have so much calcium and since I already give it once a day not sure if I can add cheese or yogurt....should I omit the eggshell powder if I want to add cheese or yogurt or just add both? Both dogs are around 50lbs so I give about 1/2tsp eggshell
ReplyDeleteThanks so much and love all the information on your site
Melanie see my article attached below for proper use of eggshell powder. Adding a proper serving of yogurt, kefir etc. is not an issue unless you dog has a specific health condition that contradicts.
Deletehttp://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.com/2019/03/eggshell-powder-recipe-natural-calcium_22.html
Delete