Milk for Cats good or bad?

[SammyCat]

When I first got my cat (Herc) he was 7 weeks old. We feed him some milk and gave him cat food at the time. But he didn't really like milk and found water to be more him choice of drink.

My question is.. do cats like milk or not? and is milk good for them? My suster and I were arguing today. She says milk is bad for cats.

If milk is indeed good and healthy for cats, what kind of milk should they drink? And cold or warm milk is best?

Please help. Thanks!!!!!

Also.. my female kitten (Sammy) is 2-3 weeks pregnant, should we just feed her the same or free feed her? Should we also supply her with milk too?

Please help. Thanks

[kittycats_delight]

The majority of cats are lactose intolerant and if you do give your cat milk my vet suggested skim milk but preferred that we not give any or give cat milk. Some cats like milk others don't. I have 2 girls my youngest loves it and the older one won't touch it. When the younger one gets it she gets cat milk which I buy at a pet store and she only gets a small amount which is at room temperature.

As for your pregnant kitty. I say free feed. It is not necessary to provide milk but once again if you do provide cat milk. I am sure one of the more experienced members can tell you more and give more and better advise.

[momcat]

When I first got Groucho, also at 7 weeks, the vet said NOT to give him any milk. The vet said water is best for cats and kittens...

[catmandu]

I HAVE OFTEN HERAD,THAT TOO,BUT MY MOTHER ALWAYS GAVE OUR CATS MILK,AND THEY THRIVED,ON IT,AND I GIVE,THE FOUND CATS MILK,AS WELL.AND THEY LOVE IT!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/catmandu/Picture458.jpg

[catnapper]

Milk is bad for cat, because most are lactose intolerant and have bad stomach aches afterwards. Still doesn't stop them from loving it though :D

If you have a cat that is in need of extra vitamins and fattening up, the vet told me to give plain yogurt.

As for the mama cat, she's going to need lots of food - especially after the kittens are born. Let her eat as much and as often as she wants. Shewill eat amazing amounts of food while nursing the kittens. Feed her kitten food so that she has lots of nutrients to pass along ot those kittens.

As she's about done weening the kittens PLEASE take her for a spay. I believe we implored you to do this earlier: http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=72277

[carole]

I have never given my cats milk, although you can buy special milk for cats, and that would be ok I guess, except if they are lactose intolerant, which it seems most kitties are, I agree some like it and some do not, but my two are simply not offered it.

[moosmom]

I believe we implored you to do this earlier:

Looks like great advice fell on deaf ears.

Yet ANOTHER irresponsible pet owner!! :mad:

[Palomino21]

I have heard that milk is hard for cats digest regular milk properly, but my cats when I was growing up loved it. I do not give Star regular milk but give her special milk for cats and it is soy rather than dairy milk. Star loves it.

Annie

[kittycats_delight]

Originally posted by catnapper
As she's about done weening the kittens PLEASE take her for a spay. I believe we implored you to do this earlier: http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=72277

Please please do take her and have her spayed. Each heat and each pregnancy could be causing her, her life. Every single heat increases your cats chance of getting certain cancers. I know this cause I lost my Mytsi 2 years ago to mammory cancer. I was informed when she was diagnosed It was due to repeated heats and pregnancy. I did not know this until my vet informed me. So if you treasure this little girl please have her spayed to help save her from possibly a miserable disease later.

[elminster20]

Originally posted by moosmom
Looks like great advice fell on deaf ears.

Yet ANOTHER stupid, irresponsible pet owner!! :mad:

Surely my fellow PT'ers are better than this? To restort to insults is beneath all of us, and makes us all look bad. This is a place for advice and friendship, try and keep it that way please.

SammyCat: I do agree with everyone here, spaying is the way to go.

My two boys like milk bags, but not milk. Go figure:)

[moosmom]

Since I've gotten my wrist slapped by certain members here for simply voicing my opinion, I am cross posting this from the Dog House in the hopes that it might do some good. Since Sammycat's poor kitty is already about to give birth, I HOPE that she will read this and get her cat spayed once the kittens are weaned.

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=83099&highlight=milk

[ChrisH]

Ebby sits and waits for for me to give her milk in the morning. :) She only gets a little though.

[kittycats_delight]

Originally posted by moosmom
I am cross posting this from the Dog House in the hopes that it might do some good. Since Sammycat's poor kitty is already about to give birth, I HOPE that she will read this and get her cat spayed once the kittens are weaned.
http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=83099&highlight=milk

Donna, I am crossposting the proper link. You posted the link for the thread we are already on.

Sammy please click the link and precede to and read the link enclosed in that.

crosspost from Dog House (http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=83102)

[SammyCat]

My parents were going to take her to the vet for a spay when we got off school for the summer. She got out of the house one day, and now look at her. I didn't even think she knew her place around, and there aren't even any cats around where I live except for the two I have.


I was wondering, how do the littel kittens even know what sex is? Never being taught what it is in the first place. thats what I dont understand.

[SammyCat]

Originally posted by kittycats_delight
Donna, I am crossposting the proper link. You posted the link for the thread we are already on.

Sammy please click the link and precede to and read the link enclosed in that.

crosspost from Dog House (http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=83102)

Let me just note, the day Sammy entered our house, both I and my parents made it clear to eachother that Sammy was my responsibility. And I still hold firm to that. Sammy kittens are not going anywhere, once they are born we are keeping them and raising them in the family till they are one day old and grey. We have money to feed them and enough love to go around for everyone.

I will bring Sammy to the vet when she's had her babies and she's well again.

I hope I am doing the right thing :)

[kittycats_delight]

You are doing the right thing by getting Sammy spayed. Once the kittens are about 8 weeks old you need to have the spay done. Also if you are keeping the kittens you will need to have them spayed or neutered by 6 months old. I hope she only has a couple cause it can get a bit expensive to have all done but it is necessary. So please, make sure, if you keep Sammy's babies to have them spayed or neutered as well. We are only looking out for your babies best interests I promise you.

[momcat]

Hi, SammyCat, In your post, you mentioned about such a young kitty knowing about sex. That's not what's going on here. You must remember that ALL animals, cats and kittens included, act on their instincts.When a female goes into heat, it's her instinct to search out a male. Age doesn't matter.Even though our pets may at times seem almost human, they're not. They don't think or perceive things as we do. When a kitty runs and hides, the fear instinct is warning of possible danger, when kitty goes to her dish to eat, it's the same idea. If you haven't yet, get her to your vet for a pre-natal exam. Then talk to the vet about her care during her pregnancy, this is crucial for mommy's well being as well as the health of her unborn kittens. Sure, kittens are cute and a whole lot of fun. But they're also a tremendous responsibility. Be absolutely sure that you know what you're getting yourself into by keeping all the babies. Follow your vet's instructions TO THE LETTER and listen to the advice & input from the folks here at PT. These folks are experienced, knowledgeable, and know what they're talking about!

[moosmom]

I will bring Sammy to the vet when she's had her babies and she's well again. I hope I'm doing the right thing.

Absolutely! ;)

[SammyCat]

I will get the kitten spayed/nutered when they reach the age. But I was also wonering.. in the animal kingdom, does rape exist? My 4 year old male cat some times forces himself on 9 month old Sammy, I dont know what exactly is happening.

[kittycats_delight]

Is your male neutered? In the animal world mating can be very aggressive. They animals give off scents when it is time to mate and it is instinctual for the the male to take a female who is in season. I didn't realize Sammy was sooo young. Please take Sammy to the vet to make sure she is doing ok with her pregnancy. How pregnant is she? Due to her age she may have a small litter. Let's hope so. Is your male trying to mate with her now that she is pregnant?

[finn's mom]

Originally posted by SammyCat
I will get the kitten spayed/nutered when they reach the age. But I was also wonering.. in the animal kingdom, does rape exist? My 4 year old male cat some times forces himself on 9 month old Sammy, I dont know what exactly is happening.

It's instinctual for them to attempt to mate. Is your male neutered? I wouldn't call it rape, as it's again very different for non-human animals.

Are you going to keep all the cats indoors? Is there a humane society nearby? Ask them how early you can get the kittens fixed, they are usually the least expensive way to go for getting pets spayed. I just got my large male dog neutered for $40. Hopefully, your cat doesn't have too many, so that you're able to get them all fixed as soon as possible. Start saving now! ;) Then, you could get them all done at once. If your older male isn't neutered, you may want to do that before the kittens are born. And, just do your best to keep them all indoors.

I rescued an 8 month old girl and she was pregnant. She had five kittens and she and all of them were fine, but, it's hard when they're that young. Good luck.

[SammyCat]

Yes my male cat is nutered. He often chases Sammy around and wrestles her, licks her in her private area and who knows what. He did that before she was pregnant and even now that she is pregnant.

Do you guys think it would be a good idea if I seperate the two, given the fact that Sammy is pregnant and Herc(male cat) always chases are around and could cause her to miscarry?

how should i go about this situation?

[skneisel74]

It has been my experience that it depends on the cat. I have had vet's tell me that milk causes worm's, that it causes UTI ( urinary tract infections), but again most cat's are lactose intolerant. I know that my Jazzi loves milk but she gets disintary and starts to vomit with in ten min of consumption. So if it was up to me I would say no!!! But I am just a loving Momma. As for the momma cat I have always been told to let them eat whatever they wanted with in reason of course.... I figure if she eats it she needed it if not then ok.

[kittycats_delight]

She may be fine with the other cat but she may not. I really don't know. Someone with more experience needs to tell you. I am sure you should get some more advise soon.

[moosmom]

For Sammy's own protection as well as the male's protection, I would isolate Sammy from the others. Do you know when her due date is?? Cat pregnancy gestation is 63 days give or take a day or two.

[Don Juan's mom]

Don Juan will sneak sips out of my cup when I'm having milk. I don't give it to him otherwise, as it doesn't always agree with him.

I did buy him some CatSip (TM) once, and he wouldn't touch it. Go figure. :rolleyes:

Liz