Should I Give My Cat Milk to Drink? 

 

Introduction

Pets are animals we keep primarily for companionship. A recent survey conducted by researchers indicates that at least sixty-five percent of the world’s population own a pet. Some of the most commonly kept pets include dogs, cats, birds, small reptiles, and fish. Gone are the days when people viewed pets merely as a household distraction. Now, most people treasure these animals, treating them as members of the family. They pet and groom them, feed them, play with them, and take them to the vet for regular medical check-ups. Some pet owners even take their pets to the now-available pet hotels and spas, where the animals are pampered and treated like royalty. The benefits of having a pet cannot be overstated. Pets keep their owners happy with their attractive appearances and their playful personalities. They are also loyal to their owners and they offer company to those of us who live alone.

Cats…

Cats are common pets in most households. They are mainly kept for their attractive physical appearance and their playful nature. Most people also enjoy stroking their soft fur. Cats are also known to be very affectionate to their owners and they can catch and kill harmful pests like roaches and mice. Another endearing quality that cats possess is their ability to keep themselves spotlessly clean. They are also pretty low maintenance pets. Cat owners need only invest in food, water, and a litter box.

Is it safe to give my cat milk to drink?

A common belief among most cat owners is that milk is good for cats. While there is some truth to this convention, what most people do not know is that not all milk is good for your cat. As much it supplements your cat’s dietary needs, constantly feeding your cat milk does more harm than good. See, ordinary cow milk is very rich in fats. A cat’s digestive tract can only successfully digest a limited quantity of fats at a go. A saucer of milk only leaves your beloved pet with stomach upsets, cramps and in some extreme cases, violent diarrhea. In kittens, diarrhea can lead to death as a result of dehydration.

So how are we supposed to keep our cats hydrated?

Vets recommend giving your cat fresh, clean water in place of milk. Clean out her saucer and fill it up with water. This will keep her hydrated all day long. In the long run, the advantages of water to your cat’s body far outweigh any benefits it would have obtained from a saucer of milk. 

Lactose-reduced cow’s milk is also an option for those cat owners who must absolutely give their cats milk. Lactose is the natural sugar contained in milk. It is digested by enzyme lactase, which is absent in lactose intolerant cat’s digestive systems. If not broken down, lactose cannot be absorbed into the bloodstream. It remains in the cat’s intestines, where it attracts gut bacteria. Once fermentation sets in, flatulence occurs, leaving your pet cat bloated and in pain. To avoid all this, cat owners are advised to purchase lactose-reduced cow’s milk. It is readily available at pet stores, supermarkets and vets offices. It is easily digestible, and can be fed to both kittens and fully grown cats.

What about my cat’s calcium needs?

Calcium is an essential mineral salt whose benefits to the body include strengthening bones and teeth. Calcium deficiency leads to weakening of bones and falling off of teeth. Since milk is rich in calcium, most cat owners’ main concern is a new source of this vital mineral salt. Other components of your cat’s diet contain just as much calcium as milk does. Raw meat, for instance, has a high calcium content. If you’re still not convinced, run down to your local pet store and get calcium supplements for your pet.

Conclusion

We all love and value our pets, be they cats, dogs or any other animals. Consequently, their well-being should be one of our main priorities. For those of us who own cats, I hope this article dispels any misconceptions about feeding your pet milk. It is in my opinion, though, that you visit your local vet for further direction on the same. Ensuring that you are well informed from a veterinary point of view should always be a supplement to decisions that you make concerning your pet –cat. 

Get Started