Can Siamese Cats Drink Milk – Here’s The Facts

You might have seen a few TV shows or movies where a cat seems to drink milk from a bowl, that too, happily. Just like other cat owners, several times, this question might have crossed your mind too; can Siamese cats drink milk?

No, Siamese cats cannot drink milk. It is difficult for cats to digest lactose, a kind of sugar present in milk and milk products. Feeding milk to cats can cause several problems, including diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting.

Below, we have provided answers for all the questions you might be having regarding milk and cats: can cats digest milk, is there any particular type of milk that your feline friend can relish without any harm, what can cats drink besides water, and much more.

Is Milk Good For Siamese Cats

No, milk is not good for your Siamese cat. Instead, it is harmful since almost all cats find it difficult to digest milk and its products. Cats are lactose-intolerant. Giving milk or other products like cheese, butter is not a good idea. 

But a Siamese would cry if she smells milk. In this condition, you can try to give her a small amount to check if she can easily digest it without diarrhea. Be careful while testing and give only a small amount of milk at first.

Generally, milk does not provide any nutrients to the cats as it may do to other animals. On the contrary, it can upset their stomach with diarrhea. All the nutrients needed by a cat are already present in their diet if they are given a balanced diet, and therefore there is no need for milk. They might seem to love the taste of milk, but it won’t do any good to them. Thus, avoid giving it to your Siamese cat. 

What Type Of Milk Can Cats Drink

The answer is raw goat’s milk or lactose-free milk, but this does not imply that you can give it to them every day. There is no such type of milk recommended for cats since they are lactose-intolerant, but if you want to treat your feline with a small treat, occasionally, go for raw goat’s milk because it is less harmful than cow’s milk. Cow’s milk should not be given to them.

If your cat does not show gastronomical distress or any other problem, you can even go with small quantities of skimmed milk but monitor them for at least 12 hours after feeding it to them for the first time. 

Additionally, cats can be given lactose-free or lactose-reduced milk, which is available in the market, made especially for cats, but it comes with another drawback. The high-fat content present in these types of milk makes it unhealthy for cats. 

Avoid pasteurized milk, soy milk, coconut milk, and almond milk since cats cannot digest plant-based products in a good way. 

Can Cats Drink Lactose-Free Milk

Cats who do not show problems with milk can have lactose-free milk occasionally. There is also lactose-reduced milk available in the market, especially for cats which you can try.

Lactose-free or lactose-reduced milk is not the healthiest choice for cats, but it is comparatively better than cow milk. You can reward your cat with it but make sure that this does not become a habit since milk is not suitable for cats, be it of any type. 

Will Lactose-Free Milk Hurt Cats

Lactose-free milk can hurt cats if it is not given in moderation. It can cause upset stomach or cramps if given in larger quantities. Many people find lactose-free milk a good substitute for milk to feed their four-legged pal, but you still can not give her milk every day. Do not make it a habit. 

If your feline does not show adverse effects of milk, you can give her 1-2 tablespoons of lactose-free milk occasionally. But this milk is also high in fat. Hence it can make your cat gain weight and might not be the best choice if it is not active throughout the day. 

Reasons Siamese Cats Can’t Drink Milk

Milk is dangerous for all cats in one way or the other. The reasons why it is dangerous for Siamese cats are listed below:

Lactose intolerance

Most Siamese cats are lactose intolerant which means that they cannot digest milk due to genetic problems. They do not have the enzymes in their intestines that help in the digestion of milk. 

It can cause gastronomical problems like diarrhea, upset stomach, and severe cramps. Loose stools are one of the most common symptoms that your cat is facing. Hence, giving milk to them is risky.

Dehydration

Milk causes dehydration in Siamese as well as other cats. Your cat does not require anything else water to keep herself hydrated throughout the day. 

Milk can cause severe dehydration because cats do not get their hydration from there. In addition, it leads to problems in the stomach and 

Obesity

Milk contains fat which leads to gaining weight. The same principle is applied to cats too. Siamese cats like milk simply because of their higher fat content and great taste. But giving it to them can lead to gaining pounds and, ultimately, obesity if your cat is not active throughout the day.

Too much weight gain will make your cat lazy, and she may find movement difficult. It can also cause an upset stomach and vomiting. Milk adds unhealthy fats to your cat’s diet. Thus it would help if you avoided it.

Allergies 

Siamese cats are sensitive to allergies, and milk is not suitable for them. It can cause problems like skin allergies in cats. It can even cause edema, congestion, swelling, discomfort, increased plasma cells, and much more in cats due to milk allergy.

These allergies can be dealt with by taking the cat to a vet, but you need to take care at your end. Don’t give milk to your feline even if she cries for it.

Empty calories

Milk does not provide any nutrition to your cat. Even if your cat loves the taste of milk, do not give it to her since it is just empty calories for cats. Milk cannot be digested by the cat’s digestive system due to genetic problems, making them bulky. It even dilutes the nutritional substances from their food sources. 

Milk is to cats what junk food is to humans. Feeding milk to cats has long-term consequences as well. It decreases bone health, affects the reproductive system, and negatively affects the growth of cats. Hence, milk is not good for cats. It harms them.

What Can Cats Drink Besides Water

The liquid part of boiled chicken breast or white fish can be given to cats. Generally, your cat requires water for healthy growth and development, nothing more. If you are giving her some more things to drink, it is up to you, but these are unnecessary for your cat.

You can give your cat some low sodium bone, chicken, or beef broth too. If you want to give milk, stick to goat’s milk because it is easily digestible compared to cow’s milk. Add wet food to their diet, which will help with the digestive system. Another option is tuna juice which is healthy and will make your cat happy too. 

What Can Siamese Cats Safely Drink

The safest drink for a Siamese cat is water. They are a breed known to love water for some reason. Although they do not like to get wet, they still love to play with water. This sounds strange, but we all know cats are strange animals, and Siamese is no exception.

Generally, they only need water to be in good shape. Having an ample amount of water throughout the day will keep them hydrated and prevent digestion-related problems too. Cats even love to drink running water. Thus, you can invest in a cat water fountain so that your fluffy one gets active and hydrated.

Things To Consider

Cats generally get all their nutrients from the food if they are given a proper, balanced diet. Apart from food, they require water. However, adding some tuna juice or chicken broth can help break the monotony and make your fluffy, four-legged feline happy. Thus, you can give this to her at times.

In general, milk should be avoided. Other milk substitutes like lactose-free and raw goat’s milk can be given, but that too occasionally. Even if your cat can digest small quantities of milk without showing adverse effects, this does not mean that you can make milk a part of their daily meals.

Young orphaned kittens can be fed with kitten milk replacer for milk formula but do not try to give them cow’s milk. It is risky for them.