The debate about pasteurized vs unpasteurized milk is in full swing these days. Have you, like me, fed your dog(s) pasteurized milk in the past?

People are waking up to the fact that pasteurization isn’t as healthy as we’ve been told that it is. The more we learn about the negative effects of pasteurization the more connections we make between pasteurized foods and common health issues.

Below I’ll explain in detail why the pasteurized milk you’ve been feeding your dog (and drinking yourself) is hurting their health and why you should be feeding raw milk instead.

Note: While I’m only covering the negatives of pasteurized milk below, these findings apply to all pasteurized dairy products.

 

Disclaimer: Those who feed their dogs a raw diet are divided on this topic. Those who feed inappropriate raw diets, with no proper science backing their decisions, commonly feed pasteurized dairy. On the other hand, owners who feed their dogs a species appropriate raw diet are largely against the feeding of any and all dairy. My belief is that the scientific research done on feeding dogs milk is distorted because pasteurized milk is tested and raw milk isn’t considered, though I’ve included one study below that does compare pasteurized vs unpasteurized milk, fed to cats. That study alone will change your mind about pasteurized vs unpasteurized milk and the effects on dogs.

As someone who is a big advocate of raw milk, I’d argue that lactose intolerance in dogs has nothing to do with milk. It has everything to do with the fact that the proteins in milk are destroyed (denatured) by pasteurization.

The information below is meant to educate you on the negative effects of feeding pasteurized milk and the positive effects of feeding raw milk. I personally never feed pasteurized milk to my dogs and haven’t for many years but do feed raw milk to my dogs on occasion.

 

 

What is Pasteurization?

Pasteurization is a process of heating milk rapidly to destroy pathogens.

For the dairy industry, the term “pasteurized” means the process of heating every particle of milk to a predetermined temperature and holding it continuously at or above that temperature for a specified time.

The pasteurization of milk didn’t come into practice until the late 1800s. Back then, tuberculosis was commonly transferred by milk. The dairy cows at the time were living in confined spaces, fed spent grains, were malnourished, sick and standing in their own filth, night and day.

Batch pasteurization was first developed to kill the tuberculosis pathogen that was killing hundreds of thousands of people. The incidence of tuberculosis contracted from milk fell dramatically after pasteurization became widely used. Though, raw milk was not directly responsible for killing hundreds of thousands of people. Tuberculosis is extremely contagious and spread from person to person very quickly. This was mostly due to the fact that people did not have knowledge of germs and thus didn’t take precautions necessary to prevent the spreading of the disease.

Today tuberculosis no longer makes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s list of foodborne illnesses. This is also thanks to the vaccine that was developed over a period of 13 years, from 1908 to 1921.

The first law to require the pasteurization of milk was passed in Chicago in 1908 and today it is illegal to sell unpasteurized, raw milk for human consumption in most states in the US.

That’s right. It’s illegal to buy and eat what you want to, at your own risk. Of course, not when it comes to processed, fried, sugar-packed foods. Just real food like raw milk.

However, in some states you can buy raw milk sold “for pet food” because pet food is largely unregulated.

 

Pasteurized vs Unpasteurized Milk Scare Tactics

We’re fed a lot of myths about pasteurization (no pun intended). The CDC (Center for Disease Control) leads consumers to believe that drinking raw milk is like playing with fire.

The CDC warns about the many terrifying dangers of raw milk, making statements like raw milk “can pose serious health risks to you and your family.” The CDC also says that raw milk can “make you very sick or kill you” and result of drinking raw milk is “serious illness, hospitalization or death.”

The FDA also states that unpasteurized milk is 150 times more likely to cause foodborne illness and results in 13 times more hospitalizations than pasteurized dairy products.

 

The safety of milk has nothing to do with milk. It has everything to do with the health of the cow and her environment.

 

The CDC makes it sound inevitable that you will get sick and possibly die from drinking raw milk. Did you know that your chances of becoming hospitalized from a bacterial illness caused by raw milk is three times less than your chance of dying in a plane crash? In fact, you are 35,000 times more likely to get sick from other foods than you are from raw milk.

Did you know that cantaloupe caused the most food-related deaths in 2018, killing 33 people?

According to the CDC there are an estimated 48 million foodborne illnesses diagnosed each year. Of these 48 million illnesses, only about 0.0005% (42 in total) are due to consumption of fresh, unpasteurized, raw milk.

However, not a single person has died from an illness caused by contaminated raw milk since the mid-1980s. The CDC combines raw milk and Queso Fresco stats (an illegal homemade cheese made from raw milk). The cheese is dangerous to eat because of how it’s made and the unsanitary places it’s made – the bathtub being one place people make this cheese. Combining these stats distorts the data and untruthfully points to raw milk as the culprit.

It’s also important to note that, while the CDC suggests that raw milk is easily contaminated, the quality of care that cows receive is what matters. On a farm where cows are pasture-raised, not given hormones and are treated humanely, the cows are far less likely to carry diseases unlike cows raised in small, unsanitary spaces.

As you can see, the dangers of raw milk have been overstated to say the least. Because of these scare tactics the benefits of raw, unpasteurized milk are known by relatively few people. Unfortunately, most people are still in the dark about the health differences between pasteurized and unpasteurized milk.

 

The Truth About Pasteurized Milk for Dogs

 

1. Pasteurization Damages Nutrients

Pasteurization significantly reduces the nutrient content of milk (or any liquid), though the FDA wants to argue that it has no effect on nutrients.

Some of these nutrients include:

• Copper
• Iron
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B

It’s been found through multiple studies that low-temperature pasteurization decreases vitamin C content by up to 25%, along with the content of B vitamins. While a raw fed dog who is fed a species-appropriate diet doesn’t need large amounts of vitamin C, B vitamins are essential.

Read About Vitamin C and Raw Fed Dogs

Not only does pasteurization reduce the nutrient density of milk, it also alters the chemical structure, making it harder for your dog’s body to absorb.

 

2. Pasteurized Milk Causes Allergens

Pasteurized milk is denatured and instead of the milk proteins being able to act as the delivery system they should, they are unable to function properly and transport nutrients throughout the bloodstream.

Milk proteins are natural vehicles for bioactives, facilitating their functionality in delivery systems. These properties are beneficial in the following ways:

• as gelation properties
• pH-responsive gel swelling behavior
• useful for programmable releases
• interactions with other macromolecules
• various shielding capabilities
• essential for protecting sensitive payload
• biocompatibility and biodegradability
• enabling to control the bio-accessibility of the bioactive
• promote the bioavailability of bioactive

Study conducted by: Faculty of Biotechnology & Food Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology

Non-homogenized milk (raw milk) was once thought to cause a milk protein allergy but the opposite has been found to be true.

 

3. Pasteurized Milk Isn’t Good for Bone Development

We’ve been told repeatedly that drinking milk strengthens bones. The truth is that pasteurized milk has been found to cause significant “skeletal changes and deficiencies in development.”

A scientist by the name of Francis M. Pottenger discovered the negative effects of pasteurization in 1946. He conducted a study where he fed pasteurized milk to cats.

 

Here’s what happened:

• the cats suffered from malnutrition
• the cats had skeletal changes
• the cats developed skeletal deficiencies
• the cats’ fertility decreased
• the cats developed diseases
• the cats were more likely to die after surgery

 

4. Pasteurization is Harder to Digest

Because of the denatured protein and destroyed enzymes in pasteurized milk, the pancreas has to work harder to produce those enzymes so that your dog can digest pasteurized milk.

Not only does this make your dog’s body work harder, it will also alter their gut health.

 

5. Pasteurized Milk is Not Safer

Pasteurized milk can still contain pathogens after pasteurization takes place.

Another health problem to be aware of is the way pasteurized milk impacts insulin levels. It may affect the formation of diseases.

Pasteurized milk from dairy cows given synthetic growth hormones may also be causing unknown health risks such as certain types of cancers and infertility. Though we don’t yet have the science to back that claim.

 

Pasteurized Milk Recap

While pasteurization was designed to eliminate the risk of harmful infections, it also degrades the quality of raw milk by denaturing milk proteins and removing good bacteria.

 

To recap, here are 6 realities about pasteurized milk:

• Pasteurization decreases nutrient levels.
• Pasteurized milk can cause allergies.
• Pasteurized milk has a negative effect on bone development.
• Pasteurization has a negative effect on gut health.
• Pasteurized milk is not better in small doses.
• There are ethical concerns related to milk pasteurization.

 

Raw Milk: Health Benefits and Warnings

Now that we’ve covered the negatives of feeding pasteurized milk to dogs, let’s talk about raw milk and the positive impacts it has on health.

 

To clarify, raw milk comes straight from the cow and is unaltered in any way. It generally comes from grass-fed cows, is unpasteurized and unhomogenized. Raw milk contains all of its natural enzymes, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. It is often referred to as a “complete food.”

 

Benefits of Raw Milk

1. Raw Milk Reduces Allergies

Children who drink raw milk are 50% less likely to develop allergies, according to studies.

Studies posted on RealMilk.com show that raw milk benefits and supports children’s growth and development in the following ways:

• by increasing immunity
• by boosting dental health
• by supporting skeletal growth

 

How does raw milk reduce the development of allergies? Probiotics, vitamin D and immunoglobulins (antibodies) found in raw milk naturally boost the immune system and reduce the risk of allergies.

 

Lactose intolerance in dogs has nothing to do with milk. It has everything to do with the proteins that are destroyed (denatured) by pasteurization.

 

Enzymes found in raw milk help with digestion but are destroyed during pasteurization, which can contribute to lactose intolerance. This intolerance can cause allergies. 

 

2. Raw Milk Helps Prevent Nutrient Deficiencies

On a proper raw diet your dog shouldn’t be deficient in any nutrients. That said, if you’re in a position where you can only afford low-quality meats for the time being, it can be beneficial to add raw milk to the diet for a boost in nutrients.

One serving of raw milk contains about 400 milligrams of calcium, 500 milligrams of potassium and 50 milligrams of magnesium. All of which are very important for cellular function, metabolism, hydration, bone density, blood circulation, detoxification and muscle health.

 

3. Raw Milk Improves Skin Health

While pasteurized dairy can cause skin inflammation, a common reason why people drink raw milk is to benefit their skin. People drinking raw milk have improved conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and acne. This is very widely reported.

Raw milk contains large amounts of healthy saturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. Drinking raw milk also improves skin hydration.

Additionally, the probiotics in raw milk can kill off bad bacteria in your dog’s gut, which can dramatically affect the health of their skin. Inflammation and unbalanced gut flora contribute to skin issues.

 

5. Raw Milk Probiotics

Probiotics are microorganisms that line your dog’s gut and support nutrient absorption. They also help protect your dog from harmful things like parasites and E. coli. The best way to include probiotic food (yogurt, cultured cream, etc.) in your dog’s diet is to feed them in their most natural state, made from raw milk.

 

Some health issues probiotic foods help with include:

• colon cancer
• diarrhea
• inflammatory bowel disease
• urinary tract infections
• intestinal infections
• irritable bowel syndrome
• skin infections
• yeast infection

 

Raw Milk Nutrition Facts

Raw milk is one of the most nutrient-dense foods and is considered a “complete food.”

 

Benefits of feeding raw milk to dogs:

• improved gut health
• healthier skin, hair and nails
• increased bone density
• neurological support
• improved digestion
• improved nutrient absorption
• stronger immune system
• reduced allergies

 

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Raw milk that comes from cows, goats and sheep that are pasture-raised contains higher levels of fat-soluble vitamins. These vitamins kill cancer cells and improve heart health.

 

Short Chain Fatty Acids, CLA and Omega-3s

Raw milk from pasture-raised cows, goats and sheep is a rich source of the following.

Butyrate: improves health issues related to inflammation, poor metabolism and stress

Linoleic Acid (CLA): cancer prevention, healthy cholesterol levels and improves body condition

 

Essential Minerals and Electrolytes

Raw milk is one of the highest sources of minerals and electrolytes. Only when milk is raw are these nutrients found. Pasteurizing milk damages these nutrients.

 

Where to Buy Raw Milk for Dogs (And Yourself!)

Raw milk isn’t always easy to find. Each state has different laws regarding the selling of raw milk. The good news is that it’s easier to find raw milk sold as “for pet food” or “for pet consumption only.”

When a small raw milk operation sells raw milk as “for pet food” they aren’t under the same regulations that they would be if they labeled the milk “for human consumption” and in some states raw milk cannot be sold “for human consumption,” period.

Here’s where you can find raw milk:

• Local Dairy
• Local Farmers Market
• Whole Foods Market
• Online

Get to know the people you buy your raw milk from. Visit the farm if it’s close by and get a first-hand look at how the cows are cared for and the milk is packaged.

Not all raw milk dairies are created equal. If a dairy will not let you see their operation, I highly recommend that you don’t buy from them.

A bonus of buying raw milk is that you get to support local, small farmers.

 

How Much is Raw Milk?

You’re not going to find raw milk for as cheap as you can get pasteurized milk at the supermarket, and rightfully so.

Small, independent raw milk dairies can’t afford to sell their milk so cheaply.

Be ready to pay more money for the higher quality food that is raw milk.

I personally pay $10-$12 per gallon and am more than happy to do so!

 

Ethical Milk

The milk you buy is also the choice of ethics. You may never have given much thought to where your milk comes from (raw or pasteurized). I certainly had never thought about where my milk was coming from until a few years ago when I ran across a few different documentaries about dairy farms.

After watching documentaries that uncovered the unethical practices of dairy operations I made a big shift in my dairy consumption.

I believe that knowing where your food comes from and where your dog’s food comes from is very important. Over the years I’ve developed close relationships with the people who grow and raise my food and I would urge you to do the same.

It’s important to me that my and my dogs’ meat was raised ethically and humanely. In no way do I want to support the suffering of animals and that includes the animals that I and my dogs eat.

While I find all factory farming disturbing, dairy operations can be especially so. Additionally, when consumers support the practices of dairy operations by buying the dairy products produced by these operations, they are also supporting the veal industry.

For the most part, raw milk farms do things differently but it’s still important that you know where your raw milk comes from by getting to know the farmers and by visiting their farms.

If you would like to know firsthand what has been exposed about dairy facilities I recommend that you watch the documentary Dominion on YouTube. I must warn you that this is the most graphic documentary about the meat dairy and egg industries that I have ever seen. A lot of people find it difficult to make it through the first 10 minutes. But if you’re like me and you would rather know the truth then turn a blind eye, then I recommend you watch Dominion.

While the film promotes veganism, you can certainly be a meat eater and gain significant insight through watching this documentary.

Documentary Time Stamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 04:12 – Pigs
• 23:19 – Egg-Laying Hens
• 30:49 – Broiler (Meat) Chickens
• 41:11 – Turkeys
• 45:29 – Ducks
• 53:03 – Cows
• 1:11:07 – Sheep
• 1:17:19 – Goats
• 1:21:57 – Fish
• 1:26:46 – Rabbits
• 1:29:24 – Minks
• 1:30:55 – Foxes
• 1:32:23 – Dogs
• 1:37:58 – Horses
• 1:40:43 – Camels
• 1:42:16 – Mice
• 1:43:51 – Exotic Animals
• 1:46:07 – Seals & Dolphins
• 1:49:16 – Conclusion
• 1:55:47 – Closing Credits

 

Pasteurized vs Unpasteurized Milk Conclusion

There’s certainly a big difference between pasteurized and unpasteurized milk. In covering the differences between pasteurized and unpasteurized milk it’s clear that they are on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Raw milk comes from cows, goats, sheep or other animals that have usually been grass-fed and raised in humane conditions. The milk is unpasteurized (raw) and therefore retains more of its natural nutrients and benefits.

Raw milk benefits include improved immunity, reduced allergies, healthier skin, healthier growth and development, and much more.

Raw milk has been safely consumed for many centuries. Still, it’s important to buy raw milk from a trusted source. Get to know your local raw milk dairy farmers and find out first hand the differences between pasteurized and unpasteurized milk.