Can Cats Drink Almond Milk?

One may think that giving human food in moderate amounts won’t harm a cat, but some ingredients found in human food are actually toxic to our four-legged friends.

The good news is that almond milk is unlikely to cause poisoning in your cat. The biggest concern with feeding a cat almond milk is extra calories.

However, each cat is unique, so the owner should keep the servings moderate and closely monitor their pet’s reaction to new food.

Is Almond Milk Safe for Cats?

Nowadays, many people shift from cow’s milk to lactose-free alternatives and enjoy numerous health benefits, but is almond milk safe for cats? After all, people can also eat chocolate and drink coffee, but these foods are toxic for cats.

Fortunately, almond milk is non-toxic for cats, so your kitty is unlikely to get food poisoning from drinking it.

Almond milk is an excellent treat for cats because it’s relatively low in calories and doesn’t contain cholesterol. However, moderation is critical even with the healthiest of treats.

Pure almond milk is made from almonds, which, like any other food, may cause an allergy in cats. However, almonds are generally safe. The primary risks lie in sweeteners and flavors often added in commercial almond milk production.

Be careful with almond milk containing sweeteners, particularly Xylitol, because it’s toxic to cats. The amount of Xylitol causing food poisoning isn’t definite, so it’s better to avoid the ingredient entirely.

However, real sugar isn’t much better for cats. Sugar isn’t toxic to cats, but it can cause various side effects, including diabetes and digestion issues. Furthermore, sugar may make a cat restless.

The truth is that cats can’t even taste sugar due to their genetics. If your cat admires ice cream, it’s likely interested in the fat rather than sugar.

Therefore, if you want to give your cat almond milk, choose pure, natural milk without sweeteners, sugars, salt, or flavors to reduce health risks.

Is Almond Milk Healthy for Cats?

“Not toxic” doesn’t yet mean “healthy.” Cats can consume a lot of human foods without any harm to their health, but should they? What are the nutritional benefits of almond milk for cats?

Almond milk’s nutritional value is significantly lower than cow’s milk. Due to its low calorie, fat, protein, and carbohydrate content, almond milk is in no way a replacement for cat food.

However, the low nutrition makes almond milk an excellent occasional treat, particularly for cats with a strict diet. Furthermore, almond milk contains approximately one gram of fiber per cup.

Fiber for cats is necessary for maintaining normal blood sugar levels and proper digestion. Cat can’t digest fiber, so it helps them feel full without overeating. The recommended fiber intake for cats is 2%-8%.

If your cat frequently suffers from constipation, it may not be getting enough fiber. Almond milk is a great fiber source and significantly more appealing for your furry friend than other fiber sources like spinach or broccoli.

Almond milk also contains potassium, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin E. It’s undoubtedly one of the healthiest cat treats, but a caring owner should keep the servings moderate regardless.

How Much Almond Milk to Give a Cat?

The right dosage is vital with any human food you give your cat. Suppose you’ve noticed that some almond milk is left in the carton, but it isn’t enough to make a coffee. You decide to give the remaining milk to your cat.

But how much almond milk is safe for a cat? As a rule of thumb, start with a small serving and watch how your cat reacts to it. Maybe your pet won’t even like the taste. Maybe your pet is allergic to almonds.

Never pour an entire bowl of almond milk without knowing for sure that your cat isn’t allergic. Wait for a day or two to see how the new product affects your cat’s bowel movements.

Alright, but what is a “small serving,” exactly? Start with a quarter cup or less – that’s just enough for your cat to get a taste but not enough to cause any significant side effects.

Even after you’ve made sure that almond milk is safe for your cat, don’t give too much of it. Almond milk isn’t as high in fats and calories as most cat treats, but you should still monitor your cat’s diet to avoid overfeeding it.

Is Almond Milk Better Than Cow Milk for Cats?

Not many feline owners know it, but most cats are lactose intolerant. Like human babies, kittens have a special enzyme, lactase, necessary to break down lactose. Lactase enables kittens to consume milk without any digestion issues.

However, as kittens grow up, the production of lactase in their bodies slows down. Some cats lose lactase entirely, and others maintain a sufficient amount of enzymes to consume milk without problem, even at adult age.

Still, the vast majority of adult cats are unable to break down lactose and suffer from gastroenteric upset after drinking milk or consuming other dairy products. But cats can’t draw connections between them drinking milk and vomiting – they enjoy the taste regardless.

Almond milk is an excellent cow milk alternative for cats that love dairy. Because it doesn’t contain lactose, it digests better and doesn’t cause gastroenteric issues. Furthermore, it doesn’t contain common allergens like soy milk.

Almon milk and cow milk nutritional values also differ. Cow milk is richer in protein, which is excellent, but it’s also higher in calories, carbohydrates, and fat, so overfeeding a cat with cow milk is easier.

Cow milk is also typically high in sugars, and large amounts of sugar are dangerous for cats. In contrast, almond milk contains fiber which positively affects a cat’s digestion.

Why Does My Cat Love Almond Milk?

Like humans, cats have different personalities and food preferences. A love for almond milk is far from the strangest cat tastes, but it makes many owners wonder what causes such obsession.

If your cat loves almond milk, it’s likely attracted to the fats and fiber contained in it, not the taste of almonds or the idea of sustainability. Perhaps, your cat would like oat or cow milk equally much.

How to Spot Almond Milk Allergy & Indigestion in Cats

Remember to monitor your cat’s health state throughout the day after giving it almond milk for the first time. Sometimes, almond milk can cause digestive upset manifesting with vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, gases, and discomfort when touching the stomach.

Many owners confuse indigestion with food allergy, but these are two different body reactions. An allergic reaction is caused by an immune system’s response, whereas indigestion originates in the gastroenteric system.

For this reason, the symptoms of food allergy in cats can be similar to digestive upset but also include skin irritation, ear problems, coughing, watery eyes, and frequent scratching. In severe cases, an allergy can lead to an asthma attack.

How to Deal with Almond Milk Allergy or Intolerance in Cats

If you notice any adverse reactions after giving your cat almond milk, but the serving was small, your cat should get well soon on its own without special treatment.

Create a comfortable environment for your cat and ensure that it has access to water. You may administer over-the-counter medications or probiotics if your cat’s digestive upset is severe.

If you suspect your cat is allergic to almond milk, eliminate any exposure to the allergen. Then, deal with the symptoms. If your cat’s allergy manifests with gastroenteric symptoms, follow the guidelines for dealing with stomach upset.

If your cat has skin irritation, you may apply topicals locally. Respiratory symptoms are the most dangerous and occur in the case of severe allergy. If your cat is coughing, wheezing, or has difficulty breathing, bring it to a vet.

The vet will most likely prescribe your cat antihistamines or will make a steroid injection to trigger an immune system response.

The “Cats Need to Drink Milk” Myth

Some feline owners believe that milk, whether almond or cow, is an integral element of any cat’s diet. The “cats love milk” myth is an old-standing one – we can see numerous depictions of cats drinking milk in art, movies, and animation.

Perhaps, the myth originated from farms. Back in the day, cow milk was the most nutrition-rich treat farmers could give to their cats. However, nowadays, this reason isn’t relevant, and vets don’t recommend giving cats dairy.

The milk we buy in stores is very different from natural cow milk. Farm cow milk contains more fat and less lactose, so it doesn’t affect a cat’s digestive system as much as store-bought milk.

Among all milk types currently available in stores, cow milk is the worst option for a cat, and almond milk is one of the best substitutes.

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