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