Alternatives to Whiskas Cat Milk?

Question

My kitten is nearly 5 mths old. She was abandoned at the age of 3 weeks and I hand-raised her for the first few weeks of her life.She has being drinking Whiskas milk on a daily basis, due to the feline lactose intolerance to human milk.

She refuses to drink water. I water the milk down as much as I can, but when it gets to a certain stage, she will not drink it.

Is there anything else I can try? Also, can anyone recommend a good brand of dry food for her. She is an indoor cat. Thanks!

Answer 1

You really shouldn't need to give your kitten milk, it's an unnecessary expense and isn't required from a nutritional point of view. If your cat is on a dry food it is more likely to drink water (or be seen to drink water) than a cat fed on tinned food due to the water content of the foods.

Cats are notoriously fussy about their water supply, a common complaint is that cats will drink from puddles but not from a nice clean bowl. Cats prefer a wide bowl which is as full as possible, they like to be able to see the top of the water to lap it. Some cats will only drink running water, in which case you could try a cat water fountain? I've also seen cats which will only drink from a glass or from a bath or toilet!

Also make sure you don't clean the water bowl in anything too strong-smelling, it'll put your cat off the water.

Make sure there's always water available, even if you don't think he's drinking it.

In terms of food, Hill's, iams, purina or walthams brands are good. Make sure it's a kitten food for up to the first year of life. I know Hill's do an indoor cat variety, but she's too young for that at the moment.

Answer 2

Cats get most of their water from their food. They're not big drinkers like dogs. If she is really thirsty, she will drink water. At one point we didn't think that ours was drinking water but she was...when we weren't looking! Your cat is still very young and I would recommend that you seek the advise of a vet. Another way to encourage cats to drink water is to have a fresh water fountain for cats (most good pet suppliers will have one). Try not to give your cat just dry food as it can cause kidney stones. I give my cat organic cat food. A little meat in gravy and some dry food in the evening. However since your cat is so young you need to buy kitten food. (Avoid fish, cats love it but it can cause all sorts of problems such as allergic skin reactions to behavioural problems).

Answer 3

she wont dehydrate herself to the point of danger. leave water down for her and dont give in to her demands of milk. failing that, get pets at home cat milk cos it has even less lactose than the whiskas stuff. and pets at home dry kitten food is great. they even do a 100% money back guarantee if the cat doesnt like it

Answer 4

Try evaporated milk then water it down .My cats only have water on vets advice but he said for kittens give ev.milk.If you are only feeding dried food you should always have water in her dish I'm sure she'll drink it if there's nothing else.Why not give her wet food?I give mine both wet and dry.

Answer 5

cats dont like to drink out of a bowl..did you know this? because their whiskers touch the sides therefore they cant gauge the space around them...There is a thing out on the market just now its a water fountain for pets who prefer to drink out of flowing water or even try running the tap and lifting your cat to it..hopefully this will help

Answer 6

My cats love Gocat dry food range particularly the fishy ones. I know it sounds strange but I always give my cats filtered water (we have a filter jug) There is less flouride and chlorine and other additives.

Answer 7

cats don't drink milk at a certain age they will drink water

Answer 8

Goat milk is generally safe for animals. I know that I have used it on abandoned puppies before.

Answer 9

your cat should only just drink water