| In the movies, cats love a bowl of cold milk. In the | | | | fresh water should always be available. Another |
| real world, giving a cat milk can do more harm than | | | | option for lactose intolerant cats is to give |
| good. | | | | lactose-free milk. This milk is available in the same |
| While milk might seem like a natural choice for your | | | | aisle as regular milk in most grocery stores. |
| cat, the truth is that cow's milk offers no nutritional | | | | In addition to cat's milk, there are a lot of other |
| value for cats, and it can cause digestive problems in | | | | ways to treat your cats to special food. |
| many. The reason is that most cats develop | | | | If your cat normally eats dry food, give her some |
| intolerance to lactose shortly after they are weaned. | | | | wet food once or twice a week as a special treat. |
| This means that they are unable to digest the sugars | | | | Many makers of dry cat food also make wet food, |
| that occur naturally in milk. This causes problems that | | | | so you can stick with your favorite brand if that is |
| include diarrhea and other unpleasant digestive | | | | important to you. |
| problems. | | | | Another way to treat your cats is to find ways to |
| Some people think that cats need to have milk in | | | | make their dry food special. Pet stores sell special |
| order to get all the necessary nutrients. This is not | | | | gravy that can be poured over dry food. Several |
| true. In fact, cow's milk does nothing to meet a cat's | | | | flavors are available, so you can offer your cat a |
| nutritional needs. If a cat was fed only milk, it would | | | | variety to keep her from becoming bored with her |
| not be able to survive. Feral cats provide proof that | | | | food. Another version of this is to pour the water |
| cats do not need milk to be healthy, as wild cats do | | | | from a can of tuna over the dry food. You can also |
| not usually have the opportunity to drink cow's milk. | | | | feed your cat some tuna, in place of wet food, as |
| As long as your cat is eating a high quality food, and | | | | an occasional treat. |
| has access to clean fresh water, she is getting all | | | | Take a trip down the treat aisle at the pet store, |
| that she needs. Milk alone is not a sufficient diet for | | | | and you will see row after row of treats. While most |
| any cat, and should never be given in place of food | | | | of them are fine for your cat, keep in mind that |
| OR in place of water. Replacing a cat's food or water | | | | treats should be given as such, and should not be fed |
| with milk can cause your cat to become | | | | to your cat in excess as this can cause an unhealthy |
| malnourished. | | | | weight gain. |
| Many cats do seem to enjoy milk, and this causes a | | | | Kittens, unlike full grown cats, DO need milk, but the |
| dilemma for many cat owners who love to give their | | | | milk they need is their mother's. The mother's milk is |
| cat treats that they enjoy. While most cats are | | | | full of all the fat, protein and antibodies that a kitten |
| lactose intolerant, some are not. For these cats, milk | | | | needs to grow and survive. Until a kitten is weaned, |
| as an occasional treat is fine. The only way to know | | | | approximately four weeks after birth, a kitten should |
| how your cat will react to milk is to feed her some. | | | | have only milk. NEVER give a kitten cow's milk. |
| If she does not develop diarrhea then it is safe to | | | | Obviously, the ideal milk is that from the kitten's |
| assume that she is not lactose intolerant, and you | | | | mother. If this is not possible due the kitten being |
| can continue to give her the treat she loves. Again, | | | | abandoned or orphaned, you will need to feed a |
| milk should never be given in place of food, but as a | | | | substitute that should be available at your local pet |
| treat. | | | | store. The kitten will need to be fed this milk |
| If your cat IS lactose intolerant, but still seems to | | | | substitute several times a day. While the pet store |
| crave a bowl of milk now and then, there is a way | | | | personnel can probably answer most of your |
| to satisfy her without upsetting her digestive system. | | | | questions about caring for abandoned kitten, you |
| Milk substitute that is specially formulated for cats is | | | | should consult a veterinarian to be sure that the |
| sold in most pet food stores. Like regular milk, it | | | | kitten is getting exactly what it needs. |
| should only be given as a treat and not as a | | | | The bottom line is that milk is not necessary for a |
| replacement for meals. Even if you feed this "cats | | | | cat, but as long as she seems able to tolerate it, an |
| milk" on a regular basis, a high quality cat food and | | | | occasional bowl isn't going to hurt. |