The topics of today’s conversation are: whether or not cats can have oat milk, the relationship between cats and milk, and whether it is more positive than the relationship between cats and humans.
To answer that question, I would first like to look at the regular cow’s milk. It’s a common misconception, repeated by countless cartoons and movies that cats should be given cow’s milk (or dairy products in general) as a treat or as a replacement for a balanced meal.
The truth is, most cats are lactose intolerant. Giving them milk can cause significant stomach issues or other health-related problems, such as unnecessary weight gain. The only milk a cat should be given is when they are a kitten, and it’s their mother’s milk.
Many cats also don’t drink nearly enough water, so (putting aside all of the health-related risks), adding extra fat to your cat’s diet definitely would do more harm than good.
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Just like strawberry milk doesn’t come from pink cows, oat milk doesn’t come from… oat cows. While looking for oat milk recipes, you will quickly notice the process is quite simple (making oat milk and reading about quantum physics are quite far away from each other on a “hard things” scale); all you have to do is blend water and oats, then strain the mixture.
If some cats need to be reminded to drink water, and cow’s milk is very upsetting for their stomachs, can they drink oat milk instead? The answers are mixed. Some say cats can technically drink oat milk in moderation, but it would not be beneficial to your cat’s diet in any way.
Others, however, say cats shouldn’t be given any milk that is not specifically made for them. Store-bought milk might contain additional sugar, oils and thickeners, preservatives, and salt. None of the previously mentioned ingredients are good for your cat.
Sugar leads to weight gain and tooth decay. Oils may lead to diarrhea. Preservatives could be difficult for your cat to digest. Salts, even in small amounts, can cause dehydration. Most, however, agree that occasional licks would not harm your cat.
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Other types of milk (such as goat’s, soy, almond, and coconut) aren’t good for cats either.
The conclusion? You SHOULD’T give milk to your cat, as it doesn’t contain any nutritional value and could exacerbate the problem rather than make it better. There are other more nutritionally balanced treats that cats can benefit from.
Can cats drink oat milk: FAQ
Is oat milk safe for cats?
Technically, it is safe. It’s definitely not as harmful as cow’s milk, but that doesn’t mean giving oat milk to your cat is a good idea. As previously mentioned, many oat milk products contain additional ingredients that could land your cat in a veterinary clinic. Additionally, oat milk doesn’t contain any beneficial nutrients.
No. Many cats are lactose intolerant, but oat milk doesn’t come directly from cows, doesn’t contain any dairy, or any animal-based byproducts. It has an entirely different making-of process.
That’s a question for cats. Cats who have previously tasted dairy milk might notice a difference and have a very cat-like opinion about it, but as previously stated, cats shouldn’t be given a bowl full of oat milk.
The short answer is not really. Most kinds of ice cream contain sugar and fat, contributing to obesity. Some cats may have a small lick every now and then and feel fine, but you shouldn’t experiment with your cat’s health and wellbeing. Human food, in general, should not be given to cats, no matter how big and shiny their saucers are.
Vanilla-flavored desserts should be avoided. If your cat can’t pronounce the name of a Starbucks drink, then they probably shouldn’t have one either.
