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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2011 18:06:26 GMT -5
I have noticed some give goat milk to their ferrets. Is this a treat, part of a menu plan to provide variety, or does it provide any particular nutrient that is helpful? I use goat milk myself and Ollie stole a taste and goes koo koo over it trying to get some. I would like to let him have some, but if those with experience feeding this would kindly offer some opinions, I would appreciate it:-)
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Post by Sherry on Jul 26, 2011 18:33:26 GMT -5
The advantage of goats milk is that it has a much lowed lactose content than regular milk. And lactose is what cannot usually be tolerated by ferrets. So goats milk can certainly be used in moderation for ferrets. Especially if you have something you want them to eat, and they don't ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2011 19:51:52 GMT -5
Also remember that lactose is a sugar, and sugars should be kept to a minimum. The lactose is lower than cow milk, but it is still present.
According to wiki, cow's milk has 4.8g of sugar for every 100 g. Goat milk has 4.4g per 100g. So still a fair amount of lactose in it.
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Post by Sherry on Jul 26, 2011 19:58:04 GMT -5
I didn't realize it was that high in sugars! Doesn't mean it has a high level of lactose, but with those sugar levels, def. stick to treats, or as a lure for new foods, phasing it out as they come to accept it.
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Post by crazylady on Jul 26, 2011 21:25:01 GMT -5
hi I give goats milk to my kits every other day and have never experienced any problems ( I alternate with kmr ) I use it to boost calcium plus they love it yes it has sugars but ask yourself what else has hidden sugars ? ( a lot more foods than you think ) once there adults there given it as a weekly treat goats milk is after all a natural product ! take care bye for now
Bev aka crazy lady
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Post by Heather on Jul 26, 2011 22:16:03 GMT -5
I've been using goat's milk for my sickies. They really seem to eat better and it appears to be easily digested. With Captain Jack still having problems getting him to eat as well as Sprite who is starting to show adrenal stress too is a big issue. My guys don't get alot, about 1/2 tsp per 8 oz of ground raw, but it does seem to get them to eat when they've been refusing to eat their food to begin with.
ciao
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2011 23:55:20 GMT -5
Very interesting, and good to know. I feel better about him having a bit, but I will consider it a treat for now. I figure there is no health issues with him so it seems fine:-) he is over a year old now (18 months)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2011 1:31:20 GMT -5
Very interesting! So, apparently goat's milk has almost as much lactose as cow milk... This matters to me because my ferrets get major diarrhea when they have cow milk, so I think they are very lactose intolerant. That got me wondering about different treats as calcium sources. I had heard a few different suggestions for providing additional calcium, including goat's milk, heavy whipping cream, KMR, yogurt, and my own idea, lactose-free milk. From what I have read, they stack up like this: Goat's milk: Good calcium, but nearly as much lactose as cow milk Heavy cream: Very low lactose, BUT... Almost no calcium! Surprise! So it's a good fat source but not a good calcium source. Cream is actually missing a lot of good stuff that is removed with the milk caseins. KMR (Kitten Milk Replacer): Still quite a lot of lactose, but lots of vitamins and good stuff. Lactose-free milk: Good balanced source of calcium, protein, and fat, without lactose, and doesn't make my ferrets get diarrhea. Plain yogurt (natural, without added milk solids): Almost no lactose, 20% more protein than same volume milk, 43% more calcium than milk, very little fat, all the same vitamins as milk, probiotics than can keep the tummy healthy Seems to me that as a nutritional supplement for adult ferrets that don't tolerate lactose well, yogurt is the CLEAR winner here, except for the fact that it's NOT a good fat source! Seems to me like a good all-around healthy treat could be made by mixing plain yogurt with heavy cream, that way you get all the benefits of yogurt, plus some fat from the cream? Maybe even mix in some pumpkin to make the poops nicer? What do you think? I may try this and see how well my fuzzies' tummies handle it  I already know my fuzzes handle cream pretty well, but I had no idea it was a LOUSY source of calcium and vitamins!  I had been feeding it specifically as a calcium and fat supplement. Fortunately I also recently added chicken necks to their diet and they get bone-in meats every other day or sometimes every day, so hopefully they are getting enough calcium. Seems like the easiest safest choice might be lactose-free milk, since it already has a good balance of protein and fat and calcium and vitamins. OR I also noticed they sell low-lactose kitten or puppy milk replacer formulas, maybe those would be good too... |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2011 2:59:59 GMT -5
OK I was all excited about plain yogurt, but there is a slight problem... My ferrets hate it!  I let them try some and their reaction was to violently shake their heads, flinging it out of their mouth, as if to say "WHY did you let me eat that??!!!"  My guess is it is too sour.. I let them try organic plain yogurt, and organic Greek yogurt. Same reaction. Oh well maybe I will stick with the other options LOL... At least I have a bunch of yogurt now for me to eat, I love the stuff... |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2011 6:18:55 GMT -5
I use goats milk because I have problems with cows milk. The allergist said what is thought to be lactose intolerance is actually a sensitivity to the protein type. I don't use regular yogurt, I wonder if greek yogurt would be tasty to them?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2011 6:25:01 GMT -5
I use goats milk because I have problems with cows milk. The allergist said what is thought to be lactose intolerance is actually a sensitivity to the protein type. I don't use regular yogurt, I wonder if greek yogurt would be tasty to them? Mine didn't like greek or regular yogurt lol... I have not tried giving them goat's milk though, since they got such bad runs from normal milk. I may try it though after what you told me your allergist said! |
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Post by melcab on Jul 27, 2011 6:40:26 GMT -5
Maybe mixing the pumpkin into the yogurt will sweeten it up? Or even though WE would never eat this, maybe add meat babyfood to the yogurt? But if you're looking for calcium couldn't you add bone/eggshell powder?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2011 9:18:57 GMT -5
Oh he eats bone no problem, he just likes the goat milk and I always look for a variety alternative for his diet. My intention is just to gauge the safety of goat milk as a treat because Ollie wanted it so much his little body was vibrating!! |
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Post by miamiferret2 on Aug 27, 2021 6:44:17 GMT -5
FYI for people in America that have a tough time finding raw goats milk. I've been using The Honest Kitchen powdered goats milk for my kit. Pretty good. Has probiotics. I tried it myself! My dog loves it too  |
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Aug 31, 2021 23:33:22 GMT -5
Thanks for that info Miamiferret2
I have been adopted by some cats.
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I had been feeding it specifically as a calcium and fat supplement. Fortunately I also recently added chicken necks to their diet and they get bone-in meats every other day or sometimes every day, so hopefully they are getting enough calcium.
