2006-09-14 05:59:55 · 22 answers · asked by stu k 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
WATER! cats are lactose intolerant
2006-09-14 06:30:04 · answer #1 · answered by macleod709 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there... fresh water is better. Milk is fine for an occasional treat it is fine as most cats are lactose intolerant (cows milk causes diarrhea).
Excerpt below about milk for cats was taken from Pet Professor.com: http://www.thepetprofessor.com/articles/article.aspx?id=326
We see cats drinking milk in commercials, old tv shows and the like. But the fact of the matter is that most cats are lactose intolerant. That means that they can't digest the sugars in milk. Milk also has very little to no nutritional value for cats. The fact of the matter is that a cat fed only on milk will die of malnutrition. However most cats LOVE the taste of milk, so what do you do?
As a staple cats should always have fresh, cool water available to them. As long as your cat isn't lactose intolerant, milk is not bad for cats if it is given as an occasional treat (think of it as kitty junk food). The first step is to determine if your cat likes milk. If your cat does like milk then determine is he or she is lactose intolerant. If your cat is lactose intolerant then he/she will have a little diarrhea and a little stomach problems for a few days after drinking the milk. In this case you will definitely want to give your kitty a milk substitute created for cats. Such a substitute is created to have some nutritional value for cats while not upsetting their stomachs as real milk can. A good substitute is Cat's Sip, it can be found in your local pet store or grocery store. Many veterinarians suggest that if your cat does like milk and even if he/she isn't lactose intolerant that you should get him/her used to a milk substitute anyhow as it is better for the cat.
2006-09-14 18:24:26 · answer #2 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water only. Most cats are lactose intolerant, and milk will (at best) give them gas. Other side-effects are diarrhea and vomiting (which our male does if he gets into even the tiniest amount of milk).
Even if a cat seems fine with milk, it's not exactly good for them. Nor is it necessary.
If you MUST give something as a treat, there is a lactose-free milk available at pet stores called Cat Sip. But be warned, Cat Sip also made my male vomit.
2006-09-14 13:01:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
From time immemorial cats have been given a saucer of milk or cream (they love the fat in the cream). You just start slowly and with a little bit to see if your cat's digestive system can tolerate it as not all cats can.
It is entirely unnecessary for a cat's nutrition however. I don't think I have ever heard that it really benefits them. Once weaned cats need a diet of high meat protein which they have thrived on in their 25 million years or so of evolution. The get special anitbodies and such from their mother's milk and get enough of it to see them through their lifetimes - after weaning there is no need for milk, especially cow's milk (which may have hormones and antibiotics in it) and may actually be harmful.
2006-09-14 13:47:14 · answer #4 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs and cats do not have the proper enzymes to properly break down the sugar in milk which is called 'lactose.' You may have heard of people who are lactose-intolerant. They are also missing these digestive enzymes. If the proper enzymes are not present, the lactose remains undigested and tends to ferment in the intestine and cause diarrhea. Some pets can tolerate a little milk, others, none at all. If your pet enjoys and appears to tolerate milk, you can give your pet small amounts. Better yet, give your pet one of the special cat or dog milks on the market that have had the lactose removed.
2006-09-14 13:04:56 · answer #5 · answered by Jina J 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Water. You can give a small amount of milk to your cat every once in a while as a treat. Mainly though your cat needs to drink water.
2006-09-14 13:01:31 · answer #6 · answered by Kamunyak 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats don't digest cow milk well, but there is a milk product you can buy for them at the pet store made especially for cats. I would only give it to them as a treat, though. Water is best to keep them hydrated.
2006-09-14 13:02:21 · answer #7 · answered by dbackbarb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Milk is supposed to be bad for cats.
2006-09-14 13:02:04 · answer #8 · answered by FaerieWhings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can give your cat small amounts of milk, but if you give your cat alot of milk it;ll get the poops really bad ... water most of the time and milk as a treat.
2006-09-14 13:28:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water, never milk. In fact, some cats are lactose intolerant and will get sick if given milk.
2006-09-14 13:04:05 · answer #10 · answered by auskan2002 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Milk gives the runs to adult cats.
2006-09-14 14:37:29 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋