We all know that kittens drink milk, but can cats drink milk after weaning? It’s no wonder so many cat parents think that their kitties need milk to be healthy—we’ve been watching kitties satisfying their thirst with milk on TV for years. The reality is however, no matter how delicious milk may seem to your cat, it can potentially cause some serious problems.

Here we’re talking about why cats should not drink milk, whether it is safe for them to eat other dairy products and more.

Table of Contents:

• Is milk healthy for cats?
• Can kittens drink milk?
• What kind of milk can cats drink?
• Can cats drink goat milk?
• Can cats drink almond milk?
• Can cats drink soy milk?
• What can cats drink instead of milk?
• Can cats eat other dairy products?
• Key Takeaways

What can cats have instead of milk?

Are cats allowed to drink other dairy products?

Key Takeaways

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Is milk healthy for cats?

When we talk about what feeding milk to cats, most of us are actually talking about cow’s milk. Cow’s milk is not good for cats -it doesn’t contain all the nutrients your pet needs, especially if it takes their place at a mealtime.

Since they lack the enzyme lactase, which is necessary to break down the sugar in milk (lactose), most cats are lactose intolerant. That is, if they drink milk, they can have the same symptoms that lactose intolerant people have: diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

Milk is also high in fat, and if ingested in large quantities, it can cause weight gain and an upset stomach for your cat.

Can kittens drink milk?

Like adult cats, kittens can have cow’s milk. Kittens suckle on their mother’s milk until the mother naturally weans them (this usually occurs gradually) and it can occur as early as four weeks of age. At around eight or 10 weeks or so, kittens begin to consume solid food and lose the capacity to digest the sugar in milk.

The only time you would ever need to supplement kittens with milk is if you are bottle-feeding them. Even at that age, you should stay away from cow’s milk and feed your kitten a specific kitten milk which contains the right amounts of all the good things.

What kind of milk can a cat drink?

If you want to give your cat some milk, the best alternative is to purchase special cat milk from your local pet store or supermarket. They typically have a lot less lactose in them, or are even lactose free, and therefore diminish the chance of cats getting an upset stomach from lapping up milk. The fat content is high, however, so you should only give special cat milk as a treat and in small portions.

Can cats drink goat milk?

Goat milk could be a good substitute to cow’s milk because it has lower lactose levels, so even cats that are still lactose intolerant could digest it. However, keep in mind that goats milk contains less lactose than cows milk, but still has enough to cause your cat distress.

Goat’s milk is also a lower fat product than cow’s milk but again, it is not fat free and should be fed in moderation. Skimmed and partially skimmed goat’s milk can be purchased if you would rather have less fat.

Can cats drink almond milk?

Can Cats Drink Almond Milk? Almonds are not poisonous to cats, so almond milk is also okay for the cats if served in moderation. Like with the other varieties of milk, the most worrying thing about cats and almond milk is the calorie content. The average 10-pound kitty requires 200 calories per day, and a single cup of almond milk contains about 100 calories!

Also some almond milk is sweetened, that is, it contains added sugars which can cause obesity and cavities. You’ll also want to keep food free of artificial sweeteners like xylitol, because the substance is super toxic to cats.

Can cats drink soy milk?

Soy is also safe for cats and is indeed an ingredient in many commercial cat foods as a protein source. Yet, in a lot of pets, soy is one of the leading food allergens ​ which is the reason why no soy milk for cats with food allergies is a no-brainer.

The Bottom Line:

Milk is not poisonous to cats, but if you choose to serve it make sure it’s in small quantities. You should have a couple of sips left in the bottom of the bowl. If your cat does drink milk and then gets digestive symptoms like a stomach upset – it’s likely a sign that your cat is lactose intolerant and you should never give milk to your cat again. If the symptoms don’t go away, schedule an appointment with your vet to check your cat out.

This is what can cats drink besides milk?

Cats require lots of water, as this is an essential component in maintaining good organ function. Water assists your cat to control body temperature, dispose of waste, digest food, keep tissues lubricated and prevent dehydration.

To help your cat drink more water, place a few bowls around the house, or even get a kitty fountain, as the flowing water from these fountains are enjoyed by many cats. Another excellent means to guarantee that your pet is sha9rmiknj9 enough water is to feed them moist canned food. Most cats hate drinking water, so wet food is a great way to ensure they stay hydrated.

In addition to water, bone broth and tuna juice are two things cats can safely drink. Bone broth brings a variety of health benefits your kitty’s way by strengthening digestion and supporting the liver. In the case of tuna juice, avoid tuna in oil — it can upset the stomach — and keep an eye on salt content.

Those are few, and well, there are some drinks cats must avoid at all cost, including alcohol, caffeine drinks and sweet drinks.

It might seem highly unlikely that a cat would become a corner dippin’ drunkard, but perhaps they’d be curious to taste something creamy or milk-based. A sip or two shouldn’t hurt, but if you cat drinks a lot of alcohol, he could go into alcohol poisoning.

Cats are more sensitive than humans to caffeine. VCA Animal Hospitals says, “While sipping from a steaming cup of hot coffee or iced tea will not likely harm most pets, certain products can poison them: Ingestion of one or two caffeine pills can be fatal for small dogs and cats.”

Sugary drinks, including fruit juices (especially store-bought ones), can rapidly pack on the pounds and also contribute to diabetes.

Pro Tip: With feline diabetes time and treatment are everything. A good pet insurance plan can enable you to provide the best care possible for your kitty. The peace of mind you’ll receive with the reassurance that you can forget about unexpected vet bills, and just concentrate on taking care of your pet, is really is worth it.

Can cats have dairy products?

And some cats that can’t tolerate milk might tolerate other dairy products — some cats can eat cheese, yogurt, ice cream and butter. This is because 25g of lactose might not be comparable to two glasses of milk, for instance, as forms of dairy can vary in how much the dairy contains. Products such as ice cream and yogurt are frequently cut with other substances, such as water. Do you know that some foods, such as yogurt and cheese, may be cultured in such a way that organisms have digested some of the lactose?

Key Takeaways

For the most part, cats are lactose intolerant, and drinking milk can cause digestive problems such as diarrhea and vomiting. Milk is also full of fats, which can lead to both obesity and tooth decay.

There are some recipes for special cat milk, goat milk or almond milk, which may be less hazardous due to lower lactose contents, but they do contain fat and should only be used in small quantities.

The Sharpest Drink is Liquid for Your Cat.

As usual, if you have any questions or concerns about milk or other dairy, your vet is your best resource.