Updated in 2023! Is goat milk dairy, or does dairy only include cow milk products? What about sheep milk? Over the years, we’ve received these questions from hundreds of readers. As they embark on a dairy-free diet, people want to know, “are they ok to eat or not?” Both goat milk and sheep milk products are considered dairy, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t safe for some people.
Goat Milk, Sheep Milk, and the Dairy-Free Diet
In general, all mammal milks (sheep, goat, camel, etc) and their related products (cheese, yogurt, sour cream, etc) are classified as dairy. In fact, if you look up goat milk and sheep milk online, you will probably come across the American Dairy Goat Association and the The Dairy Sheep Association of North America. Since they are dairy, these types of mammal milks are also avoided on a strict dairy-free diet. But there are caveats for some people with milk issues.
Are Goat Milk and Sheep Milk Okay for Milk Allergies?
People who have a food allergy react to protein in the allergenic food. With milk allergies, they are most often reacting to the casein or whey proteins in milk. These types of proteins are found in all mammal milks, but they have slightly different compositions across different species. This means it is possible to be allergic to cow milk but not goat milk, or vice versa.
However, cross-reactivity is very common between cow milk allergies and goat milk. Researchers estimate that over 90% of milk allergic patients are also allergic to goat milk, including infants. Sheep milk has also shown a high rate of cross reactivity with cow milk allergies.
People who are interested in assessing goat milk and sheep milk allergies can speak with their doctor about testing options. There are skin prick and blood tests available for various types of mammal milk, though some doctors might opt to administer a supervised food challenge.
Are Goat Milk and Sheep Milk Okay for Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose is a simple sugar, so unlike milk proteins, it’s identical across species. This means people who have lactose intolerance will get symptoms from lactose consumption, regardless of the source. What really matters is how much lactose is consumed.
Lactose intolerance symptoms occur when your body doesn’t have enough lactase enzymes to properly digest all of the lactose you’ve consumed. This is why some people with lactose intolerance are able to tolerate low lactose foods, like hard cheeses, but get symptoms with high lactose foods, like milk or cream. Their bodies produce enough lactase to properly digest the low lactose quantity, but battle the excess lactose in the higher lactose foods.
Goat milk and sheep milk are lower in lactose than cow milk, but not by much. They are both still considered high lactose foods. So some people might notice slightly more tolerance to other mammal milks, but the relief is minimal. Better options for low lactose milk products include lactose-free dairy, butter, and hard cheeses from any of these mammals. But speak with a physician to discuss the best options for your diet.
Are Goat Milk and Sheep Milk Okay for Dairy / Milk / Casein Intolerance?
“Dairy intolerance“ is truly a medical grey area. By definition, if someone is having an immune response to a protein in a food, it’s a food allergy. But if they just lack the ability to properly digest a food, it’s an intolerance. Outside of a specific type of food allergies (IgE-mediated) and lactose intolerance, testing is limited. The terms dairy intolerance or milk intolerance are often used when the available milk allergy and lactose intolerance tests come up negative.
Some people with a milk protein “intolerance” might be able to tolerate goat milk or sheep milk since the proteins in these mammals are slightly different from cow milk proteins. If you have a “milk intolerance” and are interested in alternate mammal milks, it’s important to discuss this topic with your physician. They can work with you on an elimination diet or food challenge if they think it is safe for your condition.
What About Other Dairy-Free Diets?
- Vegan and Plant-Based – Goat and sheep milks are from animals. So they are not consumed by those who follow a vegan or strictly plant-based diet.
- Kosher – Jewish dietary law forbids mixing milk and meat. This includes the milk of any domesticated animal, like goats or sheep.
- Galactosemia – As mentioned above, the lactose in goat milk and sheep milk is the same as the lactose in cow milk. People who have galactosemia must avoid all lactose.
- Other Health Issues – If you follow a dairy-free diet for other health reasons or disease prevention, you’ll need to assess goat and sheep milk specifically. Discuss them with your doctor to decide if they are suitable for your needs.
This post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Speak with your physician before making any change in diet. Allergy and intolerance testing should be done under medical supervision.
32 Comments
Interesting question! I didn’t know that goats produce milk that is considered dairy, while sheep do not. It’s fascinating to learn more about the differences between these animals and their products.
Thank you for your wonderful website and outstanding information.
A wonderful article Alisa – I look forward to reading more!
How do you go about food allergy’s where do you go for tests ?
Kind regards
Goat’s cheese is the only dairy I can get away with eating without having sinus & asthma issues (I don’t tolerate goat’s milk very well tho)
That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing this Drew.
I’ve always had a milk allergy, but a recent testing has added eggs, wheat, and tree nuts to the list of oranges, milk, and caffeine. This in response to an allergy and stress induced IBS diagnoses.
Both of my children also have the milk protein allergy, it’s been a trying several years. Thank you for the web site.
My two teenage grandsons both have severe cases of acne. They live on a farm and drink nothing but goats milk. Could this be the problem? They are off gluten for this reason.
Thanks!
Hi Dixie, I actually have never heard of a link between gluten and acne, unless they have celiac disease. Of course, anything is possible, but I haven’t seen or heard of this link barring a condition such as celiac disease. In terms of milk, I cannot advise medically, they will need to discuss this with a physician. In terms of anecdotal information, I have had dozens of people tell me how their acne resolved when they went dairy-free. Goat’s milk is still dairy. Here is a recent study on this topic – http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/868156
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Read the whole article and didn’t really answer the question,just tried selling a cook book,,Is it safe to use Sheep’s feta if you are allergic to Dairy ?? you don’t give a specific answer, you keep referring to chapter’s in a book,,will keep looking else where .
Hi Ellie, actually, it did answer the question. The question was, “Does Goat Milk and Cheese Qualify as Dairy?” and in the first paragraph I answer it: ” In general, all mammal milks (sheep, goat, camel, etc.) and their related products (cheese, sour cream, etc.) are classified as dairy.” In terms of if it is “safe” for you, the only place you will find that answer is with your physician or elimination / reintroduction testing if he/she recommends it. As mentioned here in this article, around 20-40% of people with a reaction to cow’s milk can tolerate goat milk. You need to see if you are one of those people, but I can’t tell you if you are! Please read the excerpt from the book above – it is included in this post in the quote box.
Wondering if you might be able to suggest a good tasting alternative to cheese. The one’s I’ve tried do not compare at all. Thanks, Angie
Hi Angie – please see our Cheese Subs review section for our honest opinions + comments / reviews from other dairy-free consumers: http://www.godairyfree.org/product-reviews/alternatives-cheese
Thank you for your wonderful website and outstanding information! I will be referring patients here in the future 🙂
That’s fantastic. Thank you Dr. Fowler.
Hi,
I have had cancer and now it seems like it is back, I have read that to cut sugar and dairy out of ones diet is essential to help reduce the risk of cancer. Would this include Goats products.
Regards
Alison Lock
Hi Alison, as mentioned in this post, goat’s milk products are dairy, too. Whether or not you should cut out all dairy or just cow’s milk dairy would be up to you and the diet you are considering. Good health to you!
Just wanted to say sorry Alison that you are having to battle cancer again. I don”t know if you are fond of soy milk, but my son who works in a chemistry lab says the estrogen in soy seems to trick the cancer cells into thinking it is the body-produced estrogen. I don”t understand the chem side of it, but soy is a is a good thing for women apparently.
I came across your site after someone recently told me that goats cheese contained dairy, and I was searching for some answers. My 2yr old is highly allergic to dairy. She gets instant internal bleeding with any contact with dairy typically, but she LOVES goats cheese. She’s still nursing so I’m also dairy free. Seems she has tolerated the goats cheese, do idk. My question is would goats cheese be classified as the same type of dairy as cows milk, or cheese? Is “dairy ” just getting grouped together here, because if so then yes in fact I myself would be considered a living dairy farm, as I’m lactating and nursing my daughter {and I donated milk before too} I think “dairy ” needs to be me specific. Thanks.
Hi Amy, I’m not sure of your exact question, but I can assure you that the full answer and beyond is in Go Dairy Free– I address what dairy is, all the different types of dairy milks (goat, sheep, etc), and much more. And yes, as noted, goat milk is a type of “dairy” as it is a mammal milk. I don’t make the definitions, I just share them 🙂
Is goat’s/sheep’s milk considered dairy?
Hi Sharon, yes, did you read the post? It’s answered above.
Hahaha… Gold!
You mentioned human milk being most tolerable and made for humans, as a lactating mom I am interested in this topic, would you believe or suggest that replacing the dairy we consume and instead serving human milk to other members of my family besides my baby, including myself is really nutritionally beneficial and a good idea? My husband and I are interested in the discussion of this topic..,
I’m really not sure and would have to see some research on this topic, but from what I have read, I would think not. All animals naturally wean from milk, even from their own species and don’t continue to nurse past a certain growth stage. This natural occurrence alone says something to me. Also, I believe all breast milk, whether from cows or humans, contains growth hormone that is intended for … growth. This hormone has been potentially linked to the higher incidence of hormonal cancers in adults who consume dairy. Again, I’m not advising, but my opinion would be that milk is intended for the growth phase of life – and with that, I wouldn’t be sure at what stage in life (if after weaning) it would still be a good idea.
This article says most mammal milk, and later mentions human milk but never answers this question directly so out of pure curiousity, is human milk classified as dairy too?
At this time, we don’t run human dairy farms, so it’s a bit of a moot point 🙂 Human milk is a complete different topic with another array of considerations. But for infants who are not lactose intolerant and who are not reacting to their mother’s milk due to her diet, doctors typically recommend mother’s milk as the best nutrition.
Use olive oil instead
Hello
I wonder if someone could kindly get back to me re the following please!
I recently purchased some goats butter (only yesteday) as an alternative to Margarine.
I do not like standard cows butter but wondered if goats butter is lower in fat than most other spreads. I am not sure what is good and what isn’t as advertising is all so misleading.
I am also trying to change my diet somewhat as I am experiencing a lot of Perimenopausal symptoms. I have been advised to cut out certain foods.
I was advised that Margarine is not really good for us as it is so processed but surely it can’t be that bad for us!
Do you have a leaflet on Goats products you could possibly send me? I love goats cheese but not sure how much is good for me!
I would be so grateful to you.
Best wishes
V Scola.
I can’t advise on the health of goat milk products as that isn’t my realm! I would look for a producer of goat milk products if you are seeking more info.
Hello V! I have had the Meyenberg goat Milk from Shop-Rite and it is good also very high in Vitamin D which is always good for those of us who suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Also Costco brand known as Kirkland has a great goat cheese! I would say go with what feels good for you always listen to your instincts. I am trying myself to cut dairy out of my diet as i was addicted to cheese for many years and I find that the phlegm i get from goat milk isn’t as bad as with cows milk but still there so i suppose ill be cutting out goat milk too! Thank goodness for Almond & Coconut milk! Good luck on your journey.