What Milk Does Kittens Drink
When a cat drinks milk undigested lactose will stay in their intestines rather than passing into the bloodstream and end up fermenting says dr.
What milk does kittens drink. However these should only be fed in moderation. Young kittens need milk either from their mother or if orphaned rejected a milk supplement if a foster mother can t be found. Movies and stereotypes would have us believe that kittens drink cows milk but that s actually not recommended as milk is not healthy for your feline s digestive tract. A dehydrated kitten needs immediate veterinary care and possibly intravenous fluids.
The best milk for kittens of course is its own mother s milk the next best thing is the mother s milk that you can buy in a pet store which is artificially created kittens milk the next best thing is store bought lactaid which will minimize the kitten doing its thing all over your floor. There are some specially designed cat milk options available which are more suitable and contain reduced lactose. If your kitty seems ill and is unwilling to nurse he can become dehydrated very quickly. Water makes up 70 of a cat s body and is vital for survival.
There are other varieties of milk. What should kittens eat and drink is not always evident. This applies only to mom s milk though as cow s milk can often lead to tummy distress and diarrhea troubles in kittens so be careful and keep it away from them. The following nutrients are found in regular cow s milk.
This is why it is important to avoid feeding cow milk to kittens. Other types of milk like goat s milk aren t substitutes for formula either for similar reasons. For instance people increasingly ask whether goat milk for cats is an acceptable treat. The only milk that is healthy for kittens to drink is either their mother s or they will need a kitten milk replacer which can also be called kmr or kitten milk formula.
Goat milk for kittens is a little more salutary than cow s milk but the. Water is essential for many roles which include flushing wastes from the body lubricating and cushioning the joints aiding digestion keeps eyes mouth and nose moist prevents constipation dissolves minerals. The aspca states that this milk provides all of a kitten s required nourishment. Kittens will drink their mother s milk for the first few weeks of life or a specially designed kitten formula milk if necessary.
What do cats drink at a glance. Little kitties that aren t yet weaned. No other sustenance not even water is yet required. Kittens drink milk from their mothers but adult cats do not need any form of milk to thrive.
Milk does contain some beneficial ingredients but it s not necessary to give your cat milk. However they will be fully weaned by around 8 9 weeks of age.