Puppies and goat's milk

[fredpuli47]

I've just got an Irish Wolfhound puppy. The breeder supplied a carton of goat's milk with the feeding pack. Now I'm intrigued. What is special about goat's milk? Is this some new fad for breeders or is there some scientific basis for giving it ?

[blackcat77]

Hi - I think that goat's milk is more easily digested than cow's milk, it certainly is in humans. Hope that you have fun with your puppy - how big is he/she now?

[lankeela]

Nothing new at all, it has been used for many years as it is closer in content to bitches own milk. Cows milk is too rich for puppies.

[lankeela]

If you don't have a farm near you, you can get goats milk from most supermarkets nowadays, or you can order a milk replacement powder that is goats milk:

http://www.animal-health.co.uk/eMerchantPro/pc /viewcategories.asp?idCategory=32

[fredpuli47]

Ah, well I've always avoided giving plain cow's milk to pups, for the reason given. I used to keep goats (if only I'd known !) I'll get a bit more for the little devil.
Blackcat, thanks.He's just ten weeks and suitably big (14.5 kg) for his age.but, naturally, looks rather like an overgrown whippet. They are all legs (and no brain!) at that age, and with big joints and big feet. I've had wolfhounds before and have one adult now ( being kept clear because of the risk of accidental injury to the pup) but the goat's milk was a new idea to me.

[fredpuli47]

Thank you, dancairo. They are a bit scatty when young, and clumsy with it, and seem to have no brain ( I had one that took a glowing coal from the fire and trotted off with it !) They are a long time 'growing up'..In fact, this one is a quick learner. It took only a minute or two to have him sit on command and he was perfect on the lead very quickly..
. It's a while before they are strong enough to run and chase, but when he is, and he sees a hare on the farm, I may need a helicopter LOL! That part can be hard work, since they are sight hounds and born to run and chase (thank goodness for stock fences, because they are poor jumpers) He's presently showing great interest in papers, and has just picked up Farmers' Weekly having previously carried off the Times, a tendency which , estimable in choice of reading, is to be resisted !