- Is it possible to give milk to cats and why is it harmful to them?
- What is proper nutrition for cats?
- What can replace milk?
What is proper nutrition for cats?
Probably every owner is concerned about the health of his cat. First of all, health depends on the nutrition and lifestyle of your pet. It would seem that difficult. Feed well – and he will be healthy.
However, “good” for a person and “good” for a cat are not always equivalent. There are many common stereotypes that are fundamentally wrong, and most of them are about nutrition. Even in fairy tales.
We heard about how cats eat sour cream and drink milk from a saucer, sitting on the stove. Or they read about the cat Matroskin, who adored eating sausage.
Therefore, often the owners do not hesitate to give their cats such products, although they are harmful and absolutely not intended for the cat’s body.
By nature, cats are predators, so they get all the vitamins they need from completely eaten prey. We remind you that in the wild, cats feed mainly on small mammals like mice, so dishes such as sausages, sausages, sausages, potatoes and other delights from the master’s table are strictly forbidden to them.
Milk is included in the same range of products. Why is that? Let’s figure it out together with the Murkoshi team!
Why is milk bad for cats?
We think you have already guessed that milk should never be given to cats. Yes, kittens drink mother’s milk, but this is not cow’s milk at all, but the one that is necessary for their healthy growth and development.
In cat’s mother’s milk, all the necessary vitamins and substances are balanced to maintain the health of the future cat, which cannot be said about cow’s milk.
Here are the words of the famous veterinarian A. Gasankhanov: “When I say that you should not give milk to cats, people can’t immediately comprehend this and claim that cats have been drinking milk with pleasure since time immemorial.
The cats ran after the mistresses when they went to milk the cows, and waited for them to be treated. Yes, this is true, but it is important to understand that a cat cannot milk a cow and drink milk – this is not provided for by nature and there is a reason for this.
Indeed, lactose is absorbed well in the body of kittens, but at an older age it is no longer. The thing is that for the breakdown of milk, a special enzyme is needed, which, unfortunately, is present in a cat’s body in a limited amount.
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Therefore, even after a small portion of milk, this enzyme ends and the cat begins to have diarrhea.
Of course, not all cats are so sensitive to milk. If for some this product gives a serious laxative effect, then others perceive it quite calmly. But this does not mean that milk to a cat brings any benefit. On the contrary, it does not help a bit and even harms her body.
The main protein found in milk is a powerful allergen for cats. In addition, many cats are lactose intolerant. By the way, this means that they should not be given not only milk, but also dairy products, in particular cheese.
Another argument not in favor of milk is that store-bought milk comes from cows that have been injected with special antibiotics that are harmful to the cat’s body.
Moreover, lactating cows are most often pregnant, and the milk contains a hormone that is not intended for cats. Milk made for sale must go through a pasteurization process to kill any disease-causing bacteria, as well as those that cause acidification. This changes the structure of proteins; as a result, such milk in cats can cause allergies.
What can replace milk?
Milk for kittens is the most important source of nutrition. Many owners, in the absence of cat mother’s milk, mistakenly start giving cow’s milk to kittens. Volunteers of the Murkosha shelter warn that such actions are fundamentally wrong.
Kittens need special vitamins for healthy growth and development. They, respectively, are contained only in cat’s milk or in special substitutes.
The Murkosha shelter carefully monitors the nutrition of both adults and very small pets. So, for kittens, we always have special mixtures of the best quality ready, so that the kids grow up to be big and healthy cats. Mother cat’s milk, of course, cannot be completely replaced by formulas, but they are the best alternative available.
But if for kittens milk is not such a terrible product, and then for adult cats it poses a serious danger.
What can replace it?
Ideally, a cat should not eat anything that contains lactose, so there is no substitute for it as such. The ideal substitute for milk for cats is plain water.
In other words, the best foods are those that a cat could get itself in the wild.
Various stereotypes often harm the health of our pets, so do not believe the rumors and word of mouth. It is better to consult with specialists about nutrition and monitor the eating behavior of a mustachioed pet, because the health of a cat is completely in your hands!
