Is milk good for cats?
When we think of a cat, the image of a kitten drinking milk from a bowl always comes to mind. But is milk breathtaking for cats? Can it be harmful to your health? Should we give milk to our cat? And if so, can we give him cow’s milk? And cheese or yogurts?
In this article, we will not only answer these and other questions about cat milk, but we will also explain why.
First of all, we can say that milk is not a complete and balanced food and that cats cannot get all the nutrients they need from it. But you can be sure that almost any cat will go crazy if you give them a plate of milk because they love it.
Is milk good for baby cats?
Clear! Cats need milk so they can grow and develop healthily, but not just any milk, just their mother’s milk. And, in case this is not possible due to a lack of mother’s milk, because they are abandoned or orphaned cats, they must take special replacement milk. Similar to their mother’s, but never cow’s milk. Still, no preparation will be as good as the mother’s milk. Which ensures that the kitten has a strong immune system and does not get sick. Therefore, whenever possible, we should try to get kittens to feed on their mother’s milk.
Therefore, in addition to being important, milk is essential for baby cats during their growth stage. They should take it from birth until they are 4 weeks old when they can start eating cans or wet puppy food. After weaning, they do not need to drink milk again.
Replacement milk for cats
Replacement milk is the food that should be given to orphaned kittens, who cannot feed on their mother’s milk. It is also used when the mother’s milk is of poor quality when there is a very large litter and there is not enough milk for everyone, or when one of the offspring is weaker than the rest.
This milk contains colostrum, the first milk that kittens receive from their mother. Full of nutrients and natural antibodies that strengthen the immune system. It can also be enriched with other vitamins and minerals, as well as essential fatty acids to contribute to the correct development of the brain and vision.
At Tien animal, you can find different brands of milk that you can feed an orphaned kitten so that it can grow up healthy, such as Sandi MAs, lactation, or Breeders.
Is Milk Good for Adult Cats?
Adult cats do not need to drink milk and, in addition, many of them are not able to digest it, which causes gastric problems, such as vomiting.
Kittens have a digestive enzyme, which is found in the small intestine, which is responsible for breaking down the lactose present in milk so that they can digest it well. It’s called Lactase. As they grow and become adults, they lose this enzyme and, with it, the ability to digest milk. This can create intolerance and cause digestive problems such as gas, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain. It is known, in people, as lactose intolerance.
We strongly advise against giving cow’s milk to adult cats because it contains a high level of lactose. Because cow’s milk contains a high level of lactose. We strongly advise against giving it to adult cats. Special milk for cats, used as a complementary food or as a reward, has a low level of lactose to favor digestion and not damage the stomach. In this way, if you want to satisfy your cat with what he likes the most, you can do it with these special preparations, without harming his health. At Tien Animal, you can find different brands such as Ultimo, Whiskas, or Gimped to pamper your little one without worries.
So… answering the cat’s milk questions:
Is milk good for cats? It’s not bad, but they don’t need it and it shouldn’t be their usual diet. With the exception of breast milk during the first weeks of life, which is essential for healthy growth.
Can preputial be for your health? If the cat is lactose intolerant, yes, as it will cause digestive problems and discomfort.
Should we give milk to our cat? You don’t have to give it to him, but if he likes it, you can offer it as a prize occasionally and in small quantities.
Can we give him milk daily? No.
Can we give him cow’s milk? It is better to avoid and give him specific milk for cats such as Ultima or Whiskas that adapt to his nutritional needs and with which we will ensure that he feels good.
What about cheese or yogurt? Yes, in small quantities, and, if the cat is lactose intolerant, make sure they are lactose-free.
Cow’s milk for cats
In response to whether milk is good for cats. We have to talk about cow’s milk, as it is what we commonly offer them out of ignorance.
As we have already mentioned, cow’s milk contains a high level of lactose, which can cause intolerance. But, in addition, it is also low in proteins and lipids and has a lot of fat. Therefore, using it as food for a kitten may not only cause digestive changes but also prevent healthy growth. We should not use whole cow’s milk or semi-skimmed milk as they both contain high levels of lactose
In short, is milk good for cats? It’s not bad but it’s not necessary either. If your cat is not lactose intolerant, you can offer it some dairy food. Such as milk, natural yogurt, or fresh cheese. But always in small quantities and as an occasional treat. However, it is always preferable to choose them without lactose or sugar.
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