Are Cats Lactose Intolerant
The idea of using your own tongue to help a kitten pee or poop is, of course, bizarre, but it is no stranger than wanting to feed kittens with cows milk. The pleasure that humans take in seeing a kitten lap at a dish of so-called regular milk has persisted for centuries, advanced in literature, art and, today, in cute kitten photos on the Internet. It is a purely human pleasure, though. Though kittens may lap greedily, their ability to process and digest milk after theyve been weaned necessarily decreases.
Science leads, and it tells us that cat taste buds cannot perceive sweetness of milk and that their digestive systems do not produce enough of the enzyme lactase to fully digest it. One of the great appeals of milk, at least to the human palate, is the presence of lactose, a sugar that is broken down and processed by a digestive enzyme called lactase. Once a kitten is prepared to eat solid food, the bodys ability to fully process milk declines sharply.
Being lactose intolerant or lactose sensitive means that any lactose beyond a certain limit cannot be fully digested, processed, and excreted. Any excess lactose lingers in the digestive tract, interacting negatively with bacteria, absorbing water, and generally wreaking havoc. Diarrhea in cats and kittens is one of the primary symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Why Do Cats Like Milk
Cats love the taste of milk because it is high in fat. They will often choose to drink it even if it results in an upset stomach. If your cat is fed a high quality, balanced diet they do not need the extra fat from drinking milk, no matter how much they like it.
If your cat has drunk some milk, watch them for any signs of vomiting or diarrhoea and contact your vet if you are concerned.
Basic Kitten Feeding Guide
The following information is general advice, but as each kitten is an individual, seek veterinary advice, particularly if your kitten has any special dietary needs or has a reaction to a standard diet.
The basis of your kittens diet should be a high quality complete balanced premium commercial kitten food that is appropriate for their life stage and health status . By reading the label, you can check that it complies with the Australian Standard for the Manufacturing and Marketing of Pet Food AS 5812:2017 . It is best to start feeding wet kitten food and introducing dry kitten food as your kitten grows. Provide some moist foods in the diet regularly e.g., wet can food. Never feed puppy or dog food to your kitten as it will be deficient in taurine, an essential protein that cats can only obtain through food.
Kittens should be offered food at least 4 times per day.
Take care not to overfeed or underfeed your kitten. Your vet will be able to weigh your kitten, assess your kittens body condition score and provide advice.
Please ensure clean fresh drinking water is available at all times but do not provide milk as this can cause gastrointestinal upsets.
Also Check: Cat Treats For Cats With Urinary Problems
What Kind Of Milk Can Cats Drink Safely
For many years, people believed that milk was good for cats. Unfortunately, most cats cant digest the lactase in milk, leading to diarrhea, gas, bloating, and stomach pain.
Lactose intolerant cats can drink human-grade lactose-free milk and fermented milk products, such as kefir, sour cream, and yogurt. Cats that arent lactose intolerant can drink some cows milk or goats milk. Plant-based milk are unsuitable for all cats.
Although most cats can digest at least one type of milk, that doesnt mean that they should drink milk. It isnt nutritionally balanced, so it should only be given to cats in moderation. Well let you know what type of milk is safe for cats to drink and how much milk your cat can be safely given.
- Proteins Casein and Whey
- Vitamins A, C, D, E, B1, B2 and, B6
- Biological proteins and enzymes
Cats will benefit from the vitamins and calcium found in milk. Also, the water content will help cats stay hydrated. However, milk lacks many amino acids that cats need to survive.
Although fresh milk is a high-fat product, the skimmed milk humans get from the supermarket can be relatively low in fat. So, the notion that milk is a creamy treat for cats is misguided.
The carbohydrates found in milk are hard for many cats to digest and may cause diarrhea. So, even though there are nutrients in cows milk, these wont get absorbed if the cat has a bout of diarrhea.
Are Some Cats Able To Drink Milk
Yes, some adult cats can drink milk not all of them are lactose intolerant. However, even if your cat is one of the lucky ones who can enjoy milk as a treat now and then, there are other problems with relying on whole milk as a staple in a cats diet.
One is a possible lack of meeting your cats nutritional needs because your kitty may fill up on milk and then not eat the variety of food necessary for good health. The otherequally seriousis cat obesity.
Also Check: How Long Does Cat Food Last
Don’t Miss: Cat Rescue Deerfield Beach Fl
Can Cats Drink Milk Once They Are No Longer Kittens
Cats often still like milk, especially the smell of it, as it can have positive associations. There are specific cat milks available but these also need to be given in moderation, as they can contribute to weight gain. There is still a small risk of diarrhoea and if this happens then you need to stop feeding it.
Are Cats Allergic To Milk
In studies, almost a third of cats have been shown to have some kind of food sensitivity. This includes allergies to lactose, and another milk protein called casein. However, not all cats are allergic to lactose or casein.
Allergies often show up in cats as gastrointestinal distress, or on the skin dermatologically as hives or redness. Inside the gut, milk allergies show up as congestion, edema , degeneration of the villi , hemorrhage, and an increase in plasma cells.
Cat allergies sound serious, but can be managed successfully. You just have to avoid those foods your cat is allergic to!
The Happy Cat Handbook A unique guide to understanding and enjoying your cat!
Read Also: Emotional Support Certificate For Cat
Why Is Milk Bad For My Cat
Like some people, many cats can be lactose intolerant. This means that their bodies lack the proper enzymes needed to digest lactose.
A kind of sugar found in dairy products, called lactose, requires the action of a specific enzyme called lactase to be broken down in order to be properly digested. Most adult cats lack this enzyme, thus the sugar, lactose, will sit in your cats stomach rather than being digested. Undigested lactose will then get fermented by the cats intestinal bacteria, causing a whole lot of tummy troubles for your pet, including bloating, pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
While not all cats are lactose intolerant, the majority of them are. This is why its important to steer clear of feeding your kitty dairy products such as cheese and milk.
Recommended Reading: How To Soften Dry Cat Food
Should Cats Drink Milk
If an adult cat tries to drink the same amount of milk they had as a kitten, theyd get an upset stomach. They just dont have the lactase enzymes needed to make the milk digestible.
Small amounts of milk wont make your cat sick, but more than a tablespoon or so could cause digestive distress.
There are a few exceptions to this rule.
Cats can more easily digest lactose-free milk and other products made for lactose-intolerant people. They can also eat other low-lactose dairy products, including most hard cheeses, yogurt, and sour cream.
As with all foods not intended or balanced for cats, these should be considered occasional treats that make up less than 10% of a cats total calories for the day.
You May Like: Raw Cat Food For Cats
Is Milk Good For Cats
Not really. When you think of giving cats milk, youre probably thinking of cows milk. This type of milk isnt healthy for most cats, especially if its taking the place of a balanced meal. Cows milk does not supply all the essential nutrients needed to support your cats health, says Carbo-Johnson.
Whole, two percent and skim cows milk can also add unhealthy amounts of fat to your cats diet. According to Carbo-Johnson, Added fats can cause unnecessary weight gain and cause an upset stomach.
Plus, the high amount of lactose found in cows milk is usually too much for a cats system to tolerate and can lead to diarrhea, bloating and flatulence. Purina nutritionist Lori Mintle adds, Loose stool can indicate lactose intolerance in your cat.
How Often Should A Kitten Eat
The frequency that your kitten eats normally depends on how old they are:
- Up to 1 week old: every 2-3 hours
- 2 weeks old: every 3-4 hours
- 3 weeks old: every 4-6 hours.
- 6 weeks old: three or more feedings of canned food spaced out evenly throughout the day
- 12 weeks old: three feedings of canned food spaced out evenly throughout the day
If you have questions or need additional guidance about how often or what kind of food to give to your kitten, contact your veterinarian for help.
You May Like: How To Get A Cat Esa Certified
Can You Give Cats Milk
Is there a more memorable mental image associated with cat ownership than a kitty drinking from a saucer of milk? The idea that cats must drink milk has been a part of pet-parent lore for decades. But just because its part of our collective consciousness doesnt mean that its true.
Milk isnt necessarily the best method of hydration for your feline friend, and some cats cant drink it at all.
So, can you give your cat milk? More importantly, should you? Lets do a deeper dive.
Donât Miss: How Do Cat Years Compared To Human Years
What To Do If You Find A Newborn Kitten
OOTC EditorThis article is now outdated. An updated version of this information can be found at
During kitten season, its not unusual to discover a nest of unattended kittens or a single kitten seemingly abandoned by his/her mother.
by Valerie Sicignano, NYC Feral Cat Initiative
During high kitten season in the spring and summer, its not unusual to discover a nest of unattended kittens or a single kitten seemingly abandoned by the mother. You want to help, right? Before jumping to the rescue, consider these recommendations.
First: Wait & Watch
You might have come across the kittens while their mother is off searching for food, or is in the process of moving them to a different location. Try to determine if the mother is coming back for them, or if they are truly orphaned.
To do this, stand far away from the kittens 35 feet or more. If you stand too close, the mom will not approach her kittens. You might need to go away completely before the mother cat will return to attend to the kittens. It might be several hours before the mother cat returns until she no longer senses the presence of humans hovering near her litter.
The mother cat offers her kittens best chance for survival, so wait and watch as long as you can. The best food for the kittens is their mothers milk. Remove the kittens only if they are in immediate, grave danger.
If the mother cat returns
If the mother cat does not return
Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Purina Cat Food
What Happens If A Cat Drinks Human Milk
The reaction a cat has if they drink human milk is going to be different for every cat. Some cats enjoy the taste of milk, while others want nothing to do with it. It does not seem to cause some cats any digestive problems, while it can cause a significant upset stomach for others.
The reason that human milk upsets a cats stomach is that many cats are lactose-intolerant. This means their bodies cannot break down the lactose in milk, which results in your cat having an unsettled stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Not all cats are lactose-intolerant, so you can experiment with a little bit of milk to see how your cat reacts. To do this, you want to give your cat a minimal amount of regular cows milk and closely monitor them to see if they have any side effects.
If you observe any diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal swelling, or flatulence from your cat, then it is likely they have a lactose allergy and are sensitive to lactose. If your cat does not react, you can try again on a different day and increase the amount of milk you give them.
Is Milk Actually Good For A Cat
tags
It is a common misconception that cats should be given milk regularly as a treat. The truth is that most cats are lactose intolerant so giving them cow’s milk can actually cause significant health issues. Milk doesn’t part of necessary cat nutrition and many cats suffer stomach upsets or other related problems because their owner thought that they were giving them a treat.
There are specially formulated ‘cat milk’ products which are more suitable for cats, but the truth is that felines certainly don’t need milk as part of their diet to maintain optimal cat health. These products are actually quite fattening and if offered regularly to your cat, their solid food diet should be adjusted to compensate for the calories in the milk in order to avoid developing obesity and its related cat health dangers.
To provide your cat with everything they need, a complete cat food designed to meet all of their nutritional needs, such as Hills Science Diet, is the best option to keep your cat healthy and happy. Even special cat milk does not provide all of the nutrients that a high quality complete cat food does, so apart from maybe a very occasional treat, it is best to cut out the milk and stick to the scientifically proven food in order to promote the best cat health possible.
Don’t Miss: When Should I Take Newborn Kittens To The Vet
How Much And How Often Should I Feed Orphaned Kittens
Orphaned kittens should be fed on a strict schedule, preferably every 2-4 hours. Kittens up to two weeks old can generally consume their daily intake in 4-5 meals per day. Small breed kittens should be limited to 10-15mL per feeding during the first week of life in order to prevent diarrhea.
Commercial milk replacers are labeled to help you calculate the total volume to be fed per day. To calculate the amount for each feeding:
- dilute the total daily volume of milk replacer to a final volume of about 180mL/kg of kitten body weight, and
- divide that total into the desired number of meals per day.
It is recommended that you warm kitten milk replacer to approximately 100°F before feeding, but be careful not to overheat it. Cold formula, overly rapid feeding rates, and overfeeding can lead to regurgitation, aspiration, bloating, and diarrhea.
If the orphaned kitten develops diarrhea, reduce the formula volume. It is better to slightly underfeed than to overfeed neonatal orphaned kittens. Kitten milk replacer should be the sole source of nutrition until 3-4 weeks of age at which time the weaning process may begin.
Reasons Not To Give Your Cat Milk
Beyond the aforementioned adverse effects, there are a few reasons you should limit your cats milk intake. First, milk has a lot of fat, which Rappaport cautions can cause cats to gain weight.
Products such as 2 percent and whole milk contain higher amounts of fat, which can lead to weight gain, and many of our feline friends are overweight to begin with, he says.
Milk also contains sugar. Sugar is bad for cats health just like its bad for ours, Wallace says. In fact, cats are very prone to diabetes when overweight or on a high-sugar diet, so its best to take care.
Milk with sugar substitutes, like xylitol, can also produce adverse reactions in cats. Although cats may not experience the same toxic effect to xylitol that dogs do, that doesnt mean I would advocate giving xylitol or any product with added sugar to cats, Wallace adds.
Other possible side effects of regularly ingesting milk could include acute gastroenteritis , colitis , irritable bowel syndrome, loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, and dehydration.
Don’t Miss: How Much Is A Rabies Shot For A Cat
Can Baby Kittens Have Human Milk
Baby kittens cannot have human milk and require their breast milk from another cat. Breast milk is not the same because human milk has a different amount of proteins, fats, and carbs than what a cat needs.
You do not want to feed a very young kitten something difficult for their stomach to digest, and this combination could make your cat sick.
In addition to the likelihood that human milk would make your baby kitten sick, there is another big reason your kitten must get milk from a cat.
Other milk varieties are not nutritionally suited for young kittens, and it could stunt your kittens growth if they are drinking the wrong kind of milk and not getting enough food.
Especially while a cat is still at a very young age, you want to make sure everything they are putting in their body is helping their bones grow and get stronger.
What Should My Cat Drink
Water is the most important nutrientTrusted SourceThe Merck Veterinary ManualTrusted provider of veterinary medicine.Go to source in your cats body. Good hydration helps with digestion, electrolyte levels, oxygen delivery, and much more. If your cat gets dehydrated, they may end up with health problems that can affect vital organs like their kidneys, heart, and brain.
Cats need to drinkTrusted SourceCornell University College of Veterinary MedicineVeterinary school.Go to source approximately four ounces of water for every five pounds they weigh per day. To ensure your cat gets the water they need, you can always purchase a cat water fountain. You can also set up multiple water bowls throughout your home or purchase a ceramic bowl, which some cats prefer over the taste of a plastic bowl. But the most important thing you can do is make sure your cat always has access to fresh water.
Read Also: Can You Move A Cat’s Litter Box