Can you recall watching cartoons in your childhood where a little girl rescues a hungry kitten and offers her a saucer of milk to drink? While the entire scene was adorable, we have taken the morals from it, yet we would like to say most cats don’t drink milk. Yes! You heard us right; it is not the healthiest beverage for felines as cats are “lactose intolerant”. In simple language, the cat’s body doesn’t produce an enzyme called “lactase” needed to digest the “lactose sugar” present in the milk.
If you feed your kitty some cow’s milk, then expect her to potentially vomit it up after a while (depending on how much is ingested). She may also experience stomach upsets, cramps, and severe diarrhoea. If your kitty shows any or all these symptoms, you should take her to the vet to sort out her gastrointestinal issues. Your furball is covered with pet insurance NZ for any accidents, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, and other pet health emergencies. So, purchase cat insurance NZ to support your needy kitty today and for the times to come.
Do cats drink milk?
Kittens drink their mother’s milk when they are very young (up to anywhere between four to 10 or so weeks old) but not the regular carton milk we drink. Besides the cat’s mother’s milk, kitties can only be fed specially formulated milk available in pet stores. In addition, kitties lose their ability to digest milk after weaning, as they can consume solid food after that. So, rule out cow’s milk from your kitten food list.
Is milk necessary for cats?
Cats living in the wild may be happy to find food high in fat content. However, our domestic cats don’t need fatty food as us pet parents are already providing them with balanced meals. The additional fat in milk is unnecessary for their wellbeing. Some pet shops sell special milk for cats with reduced lactose content; you may offer it as an occasional treat. Regular milk feeding is not advisable as your kitty may gain a few extra pounds and develop stomach upsets.
Do adult cats drink milk?
Even though your kitten has grown into an adult cat, they have some positive memories associated with the flavour and scent of milk. So, adult cats may find drinking milk comforting. It probably reminds her of drinking her mother’s milk when she was a young kitten. So, offer her small portions of any creamy delight once in a while to satisfy her milk cravings.
Is it ok to top a cat’s favourite food with milk?
If you do that, your kitty may fill up her tummy with milk and leave out the solid food portion you gave to meet her nutritional needs. Plus, she may fall sick due to gastrointestinal issues. Therefore, pet parents are advised not to pour milk on top of their beloved kitty’s food.
Having pet insurance NZ is helpful to support your kitty in times of distressing health conditions and injuries. Cat insurance NZ is essential for your pet’s health and wellness, just as food, water, and human companionship are. Reassure your fur baby by allowing her to avail the best pet medical care in town.
