Why Do Cats Like Milk So Much? Should You Treat Your Kitty?
Why Do Cats Like Milk So Much? Should You Treat Your Kitty?
Imagine coming home from a day’s work, you sat on the sofa and saw your cat jump on your lap and yap a little. You know what it means, she is hungry. So, you got up, got her bowl, and poured some milk into it, and you could see the joy in her as she licked your face before running to the bowl.
But did you know, the milk you are giving to your cat is harmful to its health? Popular culture has made us believe through animations and cartoons that cats and milk share a solid relationship. This myth is believed to have begun many years back in farms where cows produced fatty, warm, and fresh milk. The farm cats there could be seen slurping the creamy layers, this farm milks would contain more sugar or lactose than actual milk. But the milk that we find in modern groceries contains lower levels of fat, which even though are beneficial for us humans, are harmful for cats.
Now, the question arises
Why You Shouldn’t Feed Your Cat Cow’s Milk?
Studies show that, after a cat is born for the first few weeks it needs its mother’s milk. However, they are generally weaned by around 8-9 weeks. A Kitten’s stomach contains an enzyme that helps it to disintegrate the lactose obtained from its mother’s milk. But unfortunately, the digestive system of an adult cats doesn’t have that enzyme making it tougher for them to digest milk sugars. Therefore, drinking milk and ingesting other dairy products after they are weaned especially for adult cats can cause lactose intolerance, indigestion, and upset their stomach when the milk begins to ferment.
For cats, lactose intolerance means vomiting or diarrhea. They might feel lousy and sick for the rest of the day. In extreme cases, diarrhea might cause dehydration. So, it is better to avoid feeding milk to a weaned cat, especially an adult cat.
Ways To Ensure Your Cat Stays Hydrated
Staying hydrated is extremely important for both humans and cats as dehydration can lead to severe medical issues like kidney failure, heat stroke, diabetes, and other conditions. Even though 8 glasses per day doesn’t apply to cats, they should drink around 60ml a day to be well hydrated. You can also make sure your fur friend stays hydrated by feeding them canned food that has high water contents regularly.
An adult cat needs to drink water only as part of a balanced, healthy diet. If your cat does not like drinking freshwater, it might be a good idea to give your cat the boiled chicken broth.
Best Drinks for Your Feline Friends
As mentioned above water is the best drink one can provide to their feline friend. You can also provide goat’s milk as they are easy to digest even for lactose-intolerant cats. Boiled chicken broth or tuna juice can also be a fun alternative for your cat.
Other Treats to Feed Your Bundle of Fur
Who doesn’t like giving treats to their furry friends when they complete a task or do something cute? But while giving a treat is harmless it should be done in moderation as overindulgence can lead to obesity which neither you nor your fur babies want.
Cats can be given treats that are specially designed for them which often contain some vital nutrients. If you are feeling a little creative some DIY treats can also make for a healthy diet like tuna treats, oat treats, and salmon crunchies
Comments
Post a Comment