There are loads of feline stereotypes. For instance, cats have a status for being curious and aloof, which is kind of correct. Another frequent stereotype is that kittens like to drink cow’s milk.
While they might get pleasure from cow’s milk, many cat homeowners function below the misperception that cow’s milk is nice for his or her pets. Cow’s milk shouldn’t be acceptable for kittens, and feeding it to your kitten may end up in severe well being points. In this text, we’ll talk about why kittens shouldn’t drink cow’s milk and the attainable negative effects of ingesting it, so preserve studying to be taught extra.
Why Can’t Kittens Drink Cow’s Milk?
Cow’s milk shouldn’t be wholesome for kittens or grownup cats. Most felines don’t have the enzymes obligatory to interrupt down the sugar lactose, which is considerable in cow’s milk. Drinking cow’s milk might trigger your cat to endure digestive points.
Kittens do drink milk, however not cow’s milk. Kittens are born able to digest their mom’s milk, so milk from a cat is completely secure for kittens. However, round 8 weeks of age, most kittens begin to lose their capability to digest even cat’s milk and begin consuming meals they are going to eat as adults.
Dangers of Feeding Cow Milk to Kittens
As talked about earlier than, feeding cow’s milk to your kitten or grownup cat can result in gastrointestinal issues because of their incapacity to digest lactose. Their lack of obligatory enzymes to interrupt down cow’s milk can result in diarrhea, vomiting, and gasoline shortly after consumption.
In extreme instances, it could possibly result in fast dehydration. Dehydration is a medical emergency that may impede your kitten’s capability to carry out regular bodily features. If you observed your kitten is dehydrated, instantly take them to your vet or native emergency clinic.
If an grownup cat consumes cow’s milk, they might expertise comparable belly discomfort. The actual hazard is the long-term results of extended feeding since cow’s milk is excessive in fats that will contribute to weight problems.
Can Kittens Drink Alternatives to Cow’s Milk?
Now that cow’s milk is completely off the desk, it’s possible you’ll marvel about options. For instance, can kittens drink goat’s milk? What about soy milk, almond milk, and different types of milk?
Much like with cow’s milk, feeding any type of milk to your cat is pointless. The cow milk options are sometimes excessive in fats, which might result in weight acquire. They additionally include oils, sugars, or thickeners that trigger extreme gastrointestinal misery.
Many varieties of milk even have excessive ranges of components and preservatives. Furthermore, they aren’t nutritionally balanced for feline consumption. The solely milk that your kitten ought to drink is their mom’s milk when age acceptable.
Can Kittens Drink Milk Formulas?
Cow’s milk and different types of milk are out of the query. But what about milk formulation? Milk formulation might be a wonderful choice for rising kittens so long as they’re developed with feline consumption in thoughts.
Ideally, kittens can be nursed by their mom and could have no want for a milk system. However, orphaned or deserted kittens will want vitamin within the type of milk. Some glorious formulation to check out embody PetAg KMR Powder Milk Supplement and Hartz Powdered Milk Replacer Formula.
Frequently Asked Questions
It might be tough to totally perceive how cow’s milk or different varieties of milk really impression cats, particularly in a tradition that perpetuates the concept cats can and will drink milk. To be taught extra in regards to the relationship between milk and cats, check out the ceaselessly requested questions beneath.
Are All Cats Lactose Intolerant?
Many cats are lactose illiberal; nonetheless, not all of them are. Some can course of lactose higher than others, permitting them to digest cow’s milk with out experiencing gastrointestinal issues. If your cat has ingested cow’s milk, monitor them for the subsequent 12 hours.
They are seemingly lactose illiberal in the event that they show indicators comparable to diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, or belly discomfort. If they don’t present any indicators, it’s attainable that they aren’t.
Regardless of your cat’s lactose intolerance (or lack thereof), cow’s milk remains to be not a wholesome alternative. It is excessive in fats, and if consumed ceaselessly, it could possibly result in weight problems. Therefore, protecting cow’s milk off the menu is your best option to your cat.
Should You Seek Veterinary Care if Your Kitten Drinks Cow’s Milk?
Accidents occur; typically, your curious kitten will get their nostril into one thing they shouldn’t have. If your kitten has lapped up cow’s milk, your response will rely upon how a lot they ingested and the way they’re responding.
If they solely drank a small quantity and seem like experiencing gentle gastrointestinal points, proceed to watch them. Their digestive points will seemingly resolve inside 24 hours.
However, veterinary care is important in case your kitten consumes giant quantities of milk and has been sick for longer than 24 hours. This can be true in case your kitten can not keep hydrated or seems to be weak.
What Can You Give Your Cat to Drink?
If cow’s milk isn’t good to your cat, what are you able to give them to drink? The solely liquid that your cat ought to drink is water. After your kitten weans off their mom’s milk, there aren’t many causes so that you can present them with drinks aside from water.
If your cat doesn’t drink from their dish sufficient, you’ll be able to attempt utilizing a special bowl, clear and refresh the water ceaselessly, or present water from a fountain.
Conclusion
Despite the stereotypes, cow’s milk is unsuitable for kittens or cats. Cow’s milk can current many risks to your kitten’s well being, comparable to digestive misery and dehydration. Now that the dangers of feeding cow’s milk to your kitten, you’ll be able to keep away from falling sufferer to the frequent false impression that cats have to drink milk.
Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock
