TURLOCK, CALIF. — Meyenberg, a producer of goat milk products, launched a line of milk alternative products for puppies and kittens under its newest brand, Tailspring, on Feb. 11. The products are formulated to closely resemble the mother’s milk, and are intended for nursing puppies and kittens who have been separated from their mother.

Meyenberg was founded in 1934 and offers a variety of goat milk-based products — including whole goat milk, powdered goat milk, goat milk butter, goat milk cheese and evaporated goat milk — as easy-to-digest and nutritious alternatives to traditional dairy cow products.

These same benefits can be said for growing pets, according to the company. Over the past few decades, Meyenberg has supplied goat milk products to animal welfare organizations such as Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary and Animal Rescue.

The company’s latest line developed specifically for young dogs and cats includes 100% human-grade ingredients and is fortified with essential amino acids, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins to promote healthy development and overall health. The products are available in both liquid and powder formats and were formulated in consultation with a neonatal pet nutritionist, Meyenberg reported.

“We are excited to launch a goat milk product made for pets, especially for our most vulnerable furry friends,” said Kate Slaney, brand manager of Tailspring. “At Meyenberg, we’ve been hearing from customers for decades how goat milk helped their animals to thrive — sometimes even saving lives — and we really wanted to serve the community of pets and their owners as well. Now we have a product that has all the benefits of our nutrient-packed goat milk plus all the other essential nutrients a pet needs to thrive.”

Meyenberg refers to goat milk as “the universal mother’s milk,” as it is a suitable milk replacement for babies, adults with lactose digestion issues, and most domesticated animals alike. Goat milk is easier to digest than cow milk due to the difference in its fat structure, the company stated.

“The smaller fat particles in goat milk produce a smaller and softer curd in the stomach, which is easily broken down by stomach enzymes and provides rapid energy absorption,” the company stated. “Goat milk is also low in A1 casein, a protein that is hard to break down for many mammals and can lead to loose stools and other gastrointestinal discomfort.”

The product is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) as human-grade, Meyenberg shared, and is manufactured, packaged and stored in accordance with human food regulations.

The product is formulated with high quality ingredients and does not contain any preservatives. Tailspring is sold through its own e-commerce platform and on Amazon, and will be added to Jeffers Pet’s online store soon.

Read more about new pet food and treat products.