Under no circumstances should you ever feed your adult cat milk of any form. I know this might come as a shock to many. I told my dad this and he told me cats love milk and they should be given what they enjoy. However, this is not the case.
Cats love milk because of its smell and fat content. That does not mean it is good for their bodies. An adult cat’s digestion system does not work the same way a human’s digestion system work.
Cats only utilize a few nutritional components which are found in cats’ food. Unfortunately, non of these nutrients are found in milk. So it makes no sense to feed your pet something that does not help them in any way. Furthermore, when cats consume milk they can develop;
- Severe lactose intolerance
- Kidney and bladder stones
- Struvite Crystal
- Obesity
- Stomach upset
- Weak bones and muscles
- Reproduction issues and in severe cases
- Death
If your cat is past the weaning stage, you should avoid feeding it milk entirely. However, if you insist on incorporating milk into your cat’s diet, I hope the cat is below 8 weeks and cannot feed on solid food.
Do cats have milk allergies?
Cat allergies may sound frightening, but they are effectively treatable. Simply stay away from the foods your cat is allergic to. cats have been demonstrated to have some form of dietary sensitivity. This includes sensitivities to lactose, and another milk protein called casein.
Not all cats, nevertheless, are sensitive to lactose or casein. Skin conditions (i.e. itching) and/or digestive issues are brought on by food allergies (i.e. diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence). Cats have an extremely low probability of developing a milk allergy. Cats with allergies frequently experience gastrointestinal problems or cutaneous reactions like hives or redness.
Is it okay for cats to drink powdered milk?
The mother’s cat is not always available to feed its kitten. If that is the case, then you can feed your kitten milk. However, you should not feed it with just any milk. Cow and goat milk is full of phosphate and fat which might cause some complications for your cat. Powdered milk is the best alternative as it does not contain large fat deposits like cow’s milk.
Remember, you are both feeding grown cats with powdered milk. Adult cats do not need milk for whatever reason. If you are concerned with your cat being dehydrated, then you should teach your cat how to drink water.
- Ensure you are giving your cat water in a large bowl. Cats hate when their whiskers are touched by anything.
- Do not use a plastic or a metal bowl. The awful smell produced by plastic bowls can make your cat lose the need to drink water considering they don’t naturally like water.
- Always clean the bowl before giving your cat water.
- Try training your cat to drink water from the running fountain. This way they will feel playful and drink more water.
For the kitten, you can feed them with powdered milk. However, you should incorporate other formulas to reduce the risk of developing some issues.
Can kittens drink powdered milk?
Yes. Kittens that have no other choice but to feed on milk can be fed on powdered milk. Although milk is harmful to adult cats, kittens are not lactose intolerant. This however does not mean you feed the kitten any milk.
Before purchasing any cat replacer milk, Consult with your veterinarian nutritionist. He will advise you based on your kitten’s condition. Below are the steps you use to ensure powdered milk works for your kitten.
Step 1: Measure one part powdered milk and two parts water. One part can be measured using a cup, a teaspoon, or a measuring litter. The water should be warm.
Step 2: Mix the two gently until all the powder is diluted. To protect your cat from having problems digesting the powdered milk, ensure all the powder is diluted in the water. You can add some additives like karo syrup, bone meal, or pediatric vitamins as instructed by a vet.
Step 3: Feed your cat as per their weight
For every 115 grams or 4 ounces of body weight, feed your kitten 2 tablespoons of 30 grams. Ensure that you divide the feeding into equal parts. Below is a table on how often you should feed your kitten in a day.
| Age in weeks | Weight in grams | Amount of formula fed to your cat | Number of times a day |
| 1 week | 115grams | 1 Oz | 6 |
| 2 weeks | 201.26grams | 2 Oz | 4 |
| 3 weeks | 287.50 grams | 3 Oz | 3 |
| 4 Weeks | 373.75grams | 4 Oz | 3 |
| 5 Weeks | 453.59grams | 5 Oz | 3 |
After 3-4 weeks you can start introducing solid food to your kitten. Mix the food with the formula to create a smooth-flowing paste.
Discard any food or formula that has been out of the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Human powdered milk for kittens (Is It Good?)
Human powdered milk is not suggested for kittens since it is not a viable alternative to mother’s milk or kitten formula.
Kittens have unique dietary requirements that can only be satisfied by their mother’s milk or a kitten formula.
Human powdered milk is not nutritionally adequate for kittens, as it lacks the required levels of protein, fat, and other nutrients for proper growth and development.
Kittens also have difficulty digesting lactose, which is contained in cow’s milk and other forms of milk suitable for human consumption.
If you are unable to feed your kitten mother’s milk or kitten formula, you should seek assistance from a veterinarian or animal nutritionist.
Can cats drink powdered goat milk?
Cats should not drink powdered goat milk. Goat milk had high levels of insoluble gelatin and fats. This might cause some health problems for your cat. However, I’d you are feeding powdered goat milk to kittens, you can consult with your vet if it is possible to feed them with powdered goat milk.
Will powdered milk hurt cats?
Powdered milk contains less sugar, fat and other minerals found in normal milk. Therefore, it is the best possible replacement for mother’s milk. When feeding your kitten with powdered milk, consult with a vet and follow the measurements given in the table above. This way you won’t hurt your kitten.
Do not feed powdered milk to Adult cats. It will post more harm than good.
Can cats have instant milk?
The answer to this question is simply no. Instant milk is harmful to cats. Cats are lactose intolerant and most instant milk contains a high amount of lactose. This might lead to your cat developing more health issues. A good type of milk to feed your cat is the one recommended by a vet.
What kind of milk can cats drink?
Although milk is not good for cats, there are instances when you must feed your cat some milk;
- Sometimes the mother cat passes away when giving birth.
- A kitten might remain orphaned if the mother gets hit by a car.
- A mother cat can refuse to feed its kitten.
If any of the situations happen, you can find good alternatives for your cat. Some of the most common types of milk to feed your cat include;
This milk has 98% less lactose than normal cow or goat milk.
This Goat milk is 100% human grade and specially formulated with over 1.5 active probiotics to help your kitten’s digestion.
You can find other milk replacements for your cat in your local grocery store or pet store.
Conclusion
Although milk is bad for cats, there are instances when you must feed your kitten with milk. This does not mean you should give your cat any form of milk. Powdered milk is the best milk replacement as it contains less sugar and fat.
The guide above gives a detailed process on how you should feed your cat with powdered milk.