
Cats are often portrayed in popular culture as loving a saucer of milk—think Tom from Tom and Jerry or the family of cats in Disney's The Aristocats. However, the reality is that milk might do cats more harm than good. While some cats can digest lactose into adulthood, most are lactose intolerant and drinking milk can cause digestive problems and weight gain. So, can cats drink skim milk?
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Nutritional value | Skim milk has no nutritional value for cats |
Occasional treat | Skim milk can be given to cats as an occasional treat |
Health risks | Skim milk can cause gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence, and upset stomach |
Calories | Skim milk contains 83 calories per cup |
Lactose content | Skim milk has a high lactose content |
Alternative to cow's milk | Goat's milk has 20% to 30% less lactose content than cow's milk |
Specially formulated cat milk | Lactose-free milk, such as Cat-Sip, is a safer option for cats |
What You'll Learn
Skim milk is a better option than whole milk due to lower fat content
Cats are often portrayed in the media as loving a saucer of milk, but this is not necessarily the best option for them. While some cats can tolerate milk, many are lactose intolerant and will suffer from digestive issues if they consume it.
Whole milk contains 149 calories per cup, and even skim milk has 83 calories per cup. This means that skim milk is a better option than whole milk due to its lower fat content. However, it is important to note that skimmed milk still has a high lactose content, which can cause digestive issues for cats.
According to Purina nutritionist Karina Carbo-Johnson, MS, "Fats in milk can promote weight gain and cause an upset stomach. Loose stool could indicate a lactose intolerance in your cat." The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals compares giving a cat a saucer of milk to a person eating an entire 12-inch pizza in addition to their regular meals.
Therefore, while skim milk is a better option than whole milk due to its lower fat content, it is still not a suitable replacement for water in a cat's diet and should only be given as an occasional treat.
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However, skim milk still contains high levels of lactose
Cats are often portrayed as loving a saucer of milk, and it's true that many are drawn to it. However, skim milk still contains high levels of lactose.
Lactose is a type of sugar present in most dairy products. It can only be fully digested with the help of an enzyme called lactase, which is produced in the small intestine. After birth, kittens can maintain a sufficient level of lactase to break down the sugar in their mother's milk. However, as they grow older, the amount of lactase their bodies produce declines, and they gradually lose the ability to process it.
Skim milk is a better option than whole milk in terms of fat content, but it still contains high levels of lactose. Lactose-intolerant cats that drink milk may experience digestive problems, such as gastrointestinal distress, diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence, and an upset stomach.
If you want to give your cat milk as an occasional treat, there are lactose-free alternatives available, such as Cat-Sip, a vacuum-packed lactose-free milk alternative containing taurine, an essential amino acid for cats. Goat's milk is also a safer option than regular milk, as it has considerably less lactose and contains probiotics, which can improve your cat's immune system.
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Lactose intolerance can cause gastrointestinal issues in cats
Cats drinking milk may seem like a harmless treat, but it can cause gastrointestinal issues for your feline friend. This is because most cats are lactose intolerant.
Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk, and it requires the enzyme lactase to be digested. After birth, kittens can maintain a sufficient level of lactase to break down the lactose in their mother's milk. However, as they grow older, they start losing this enzyme, making it difficult for them to digest milk.
As a result, milk consumption often upsets a cat's stomach, leading to gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and bloating. It can also cause flatulence and skin conditions such as redness, dryness, and flakiness.
While lactose intolerance is not lethal, it can cause mild to severe indigestion. If your cat is showing symptoms of lactose intolerance, it is recommended to switch to lactose-free milk or other alternatives like almond milk or goat's milk. These options are safer for cats and can be given as an occasional treat.
In addition to gastrointestinal issues, milk can also contribute to weight gain and obesity in cats due to its high-fat content. Therefore, it is important to give milk only as an occasional treat and not as a replacement for water or a balanced meal.
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Milk should be treated as an occasional treat
Cats drinking milk is a well-known image, from Tom in Tom and Jerry to the family of cats in The Aristocats. However, the reality is that milk should be treated as an occasional treat for cats, not a staple of their diet.
Firstly, it is a common misconception that milk is nutritionally beneficial for cats. While milk is an important source of calcium, vitamins and protein for humans, cats do not gain anything nutritionally from milk that is not present in a well-balanced commercial cat food diet. In fact, milk can cause cats to miss out on critical nutrients and may lead to obesity.
Secondly, most cats are lactose intolerant. Lactose is a sugar found in milk, and the enzyme needed to digest it, lactase, is produced in smaller quantities as cats get older. Undigested lactose draws water into the intestine, causing diarrhea, and is fermented in the gut, which can cause bloating and flatulence. While some cats can tolerate lactose, many will suffer from gastrointestinal distress after drinking milk.
Thirdly, milk is high in fat, which can promote weight gain and cause an upset stomach in cats. Whole, two percent and skim cow's milk can all add unhealthy amounts of fat to a cat's diet.
Therefore, while a small amount of milk as an occasional treat is unlikely to harm cats, it should not be a regular part of their diet. If you want to give your cat milk, ensure it is skimmed, and be careful not to give them too much. There are also lactose-free milk alternatives available specifically for cats, which may be a better option.
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There are commercial milk alternatives designed for cats
While the image of a cat drinking a saucer of milk is charming and ubiquitous, the reality is that many cats are lactose intolerant and cannot process milk as they age. Cow's milk contains lactose, which requires the enzyme lactase to be digested properly. As cats mature, they generally lose the ability to produce this enzyme, leading to digestive issues when they consume milk.
However, if you are looking to add milk to your cat's diet or provide them with a tasty treat, there are several commercial milk alternatives designed specifically for cats. These products are formulated with feline health in mind and can be a great way to give your cat a milk-like treat without causing digestive problems.
One popular option is "Catsip," a feline milk substitute that is gentle on a cat's stomach. Specially formulated cat milk products like these are widely available in pet stores and can be a nutritious treat for your feline friend.
Another option is Whiskas Catmilk, a specially balanced product that is lactose-reduced and suitable for both cats and kittens in small amounts. This product can be beneficial for older or weaker cats who need to regain strength, as it provides a similar caloric intake to dairy milk.
For kittens who are still nursing and have not yet transitioned to solid foods, you can find kitten milk replacers such as KMR. These formulas typically contain a range of ingredients, including whey protein and egg yolks, to provide the necessary nutrients for growing kittens.
In addition to these commercial alternatives, there are also natural options that are safer for cats to consume. Goat's milk, for example, is said to have a beneficial effect on the feline digestive tract due to its rich probiotic, fatty acid, antioxidant, and antihistamine content. A small amount of goat's milk can help with indigestion, arthritis, allergies, and asthma in cats. Plain yogurt is another natural option, as it usually contains less lactose than regular milk, making it a potentially safer choice for lactose-sensitive cats. Just be sure to avoid any artificial sweeteners, as these can be harmful to cats.
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Frequently asked questions
Cats can drink skim milk but it is not recommended as it can cause digestive issues and weight gain.
Cats are drawn to milk because of its protein and fat content. They also associate the taste and smell of milk with positive memories, so milk is like comfort food for them.
If your cat drinks milk, it may suffer from mild to severe indigestion, including an upset stomach, diarrhoea, bloating, and flatulence.