Is it okay
to give my cat milk?
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Generally
speaking no, cats shouldn't drink milk. Most cats are lactose
(which are sugars in milk) intolerant & drinking milk may
result in an upset tummy & cause diarrhoea.
Nutritionally
it is not necessary to give your cat milk. A bowl of water is
adequate.
Not
all cats are lactose intolerant & a little milk as a treat
is fine, however the only real way to find out if your cat is
lactose intolerant is to try it on a bowl of milk & see if
it causes diarrhoea. If you find your cat is okay with cow's
milk then the occasional bowl is fine, but this should be
given as a treat only.
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Exceptions:
Young
kittens MUST have milk in order to survive. The weaning
process begins around 4 weeks of age but prior to that their
only source of nutrition is milk. However, it is of great
importance that you do not give a kitten cow's milk. The
best possible milk is from the kitten's own mother. If the
kitten is orphaned & a foster cat can't be found for the
kitten then the kitten will have to be given a specially
designed "kitten formula" which can be purchased
from your veterinarian. This formula is specifically designed
for kittens (cow's milk is made for baby cows whom have
different nutritional requirements to baby cats).
Alternatives:
If
you want to give your cat milk the safest bet is to purchase
special lactose free "cat milk" from your
supermarket or pet store. This is far better than giving
ordinary cow's milk.
Fresh
water should always be available to your cat.
Please note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a
veterinarian & should not be considered a replacement for a
veterinarian visit. The articles are provided for
informative purposes only.
Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets.
While great
care has been made in the creation of these articles, we
cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages.
If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical
advice.
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