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Perhaps you’re pouring yourself a bowl of cereal and can’t help but notice your cat going crazy when you pull out the milk. Or maybe it’s when you pull out a block of cheese that your cat eagerly comes over to start purring and begging you for some.
The truth is that cats like dairy products, including milk, because of the high fat content in them. Just because your cat likes milk and dairy, doesn’t mean you should give it to them. We’ve highlighted everything you need to know for you here.
Why Do Cats Like Milk?
If you put down a bowl of milk for your cat, they’ll likely run right over and start lapping it up. But what drives this desire for them to come and drink up all the milk you put out?
Well, it all comes down to the fat content in the milk. Milk is very high in fat, and cats will do whatever they can to get a taste. But just because it’s high in fat doesn’t mean it’s good for your cat, even if they can’t seem to get enough of it!
Should Cats Drink Milk?
While there’s no shortage of videos and movies where cats drink milk, the truth is that adult cats should not drink milk. The problem is that, like most mammals, many adult cats are lactose intolerant. While they were kittens feeding off their mother’s milk, they had an abundance of an enzyme called lactase, to help them digest milk. As they started growing up and eating solid food, the amount of the enzyme reduced significantly in most cats. That means even small amounts of milk can lead to digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and general discomfort.
So, while cats might come to drink the milk because of the high fat content, they don’t realize that it will make them sick if they drink too much of it. You do realize this, and because of this, you should keep your cat safe by keeping milk away from them.
Instead, offer your cat water for hydration—it’s the only thing they need to drink!
If your cat drinks milk and presents signs of upset stomach for a few days, it’s best to contact a vet for a personalized care plan.
Alternative Healthy Treats for Cats
While you shouldn’t give your cat milk to drink, that doesn’t mean you can’t spoil them with other treats. We’ve highlighted five healthy treat options you can feed your cat if you want to spoil them.
1. Fish
If you’re looking for a signature cat treat, it’s hard to top fish. Make sure the fish is thermally processed and free of bones in order to avoid the risk of bacterial contamination, as well as the presence of an enzyme that destroys thiamine or vitamin B1, essential for cats. Otherwise, feeding raw fish could lead to thiamine deficiency over time and predispose your cat to risk of foodborne illnesses. Be very moderate when offering tuna and other types of fish with high levels of mercury. As with everything diet-wise, consult with your veterinarian and offer treats in moderation (no more than 10% of your cat’s daily food intake.)
2. Chicken
Many cats love chicken, as they are obligate carnivores, so you can’t go wrong with chicken. A little bit of plain, unseasoned boiled chicken, without any bones, and cut into bite-size pieces can be a nice treat for your kitty alongside their usual diet.
3. Beef
Most cats love beef and may come up to the kitchen if they pick up the scent of you cooking or roasting beef. You can offer them a small amount of plain, unseasoned meat, ideally boiled, cut into small pieces so they can easily chew through. A lot of commercial cat foods are based on high-quality animal protein like fish, chicken, beef, lamb, and rabbit.
4. Eggs
Are you looking to add a little protein to your cat’s diet? Eggs are a great choice to be considered in moderation. Just like other foods, you shouldn’t season eggs at all before feeding them to your cat, but you should thoroughly cook them to avoid potential diseases like Salmonella and E. coli.
5. Catnip
No list of great treat options for cats would be complete without catnip! Many cats go crazy for the stuff, and while it’s not nutritious for cats, it’s not bad for them either. If you’re trying to spoil your cat, give them a bit of catnip on occasion. For those cats that do not respond to catnip, consider Silver Vine instead.
There is also a great variety of commercial cat treats with all of the previously listed ingredients already added into the mix if you’d prefer that to cooking.
Final Thoughts
While there’s no shortage of cats with milk in pop culture, that doesn’t make it a good idea in real life. Even if your cat doesn’t display some of the worst symptoms of lactose intolerance, if they drink milk, there’s a good chance they’re feeling some discomfort even if you can’t see it.
Because of this, we highly recommend ditching the milk, giving them fresh water to drink, and giving them some healthier treat options when you want to do something nice for them!
Related Reads:
- Can Cats Eat Cereal? Vet Approved Nutrition Advice
- Can Cats Drink Evaporated Milk? Vet-Approved Risk, Facts, & FAQ
Featured Image Credit: ChervovRV, Shutterstock
