Can cats drink vegetable milk?

Almond milk, soy milk, hazelnut milk… Today, consumers are spoiled for choice when they walk through the milk section of their supermarket. 

But is it possible to give vegetable milk to your cat? If so, what is the point? Bernard Marie Paragon, Professor Emeritus at the National Veterinary School.

More and more people consume vegetable milk. The temptation is great to give it to your cat. But is it really reasonable? 

Bernard Marie Paragon, Professor Emeritus at the National Veterinary School, explains why you must be very careful with hazelnut, oat, or soy milk.



Contents of this article:

1-Can cats drink milk?
2-Can a cat drink vegetable milk, almond milk, and hazelnut milk?
3-Is there an advantage to giving this kind of milk?
4-Are there any side effects?

Can cats drink vegetable milk?

 

1-Can cats drink milk?

If in the collective unconscious cats love milk, the reality is a little different. Although cats can drink milk, it is not necessarily advisable to give it.

Although it can be a delicacy and have a nutritional interest (calcium, phosphorus supply, etc.), you should know that many cats are lactose intolerant.

Milk can, in fact, cause digestive problems for your pet: "Due to imperfect enzymatic equipment, some cats may have problems with diarrhea because the lactose will be firm in the digestive tract and will cause discomfort.

It is not dangerous but it will be very uncomfortable for cats, ”says Wamiz, Bernard Marie Paragon, professor emeritus at the National Veterinary School.

2-Can a cat drink vegetable milk, almond milk, and hazelnut milk?

Read more: Can cats eat chocolate

Before answering this question, it is important to remember that vegetable milk has very different aspects from milk of animal origin and has a different nutritional composition.

If you look at the back of a brick of almond, soy, or hazelnut milk, you will discover that these vegetable milk are most often low in protein, and calcium and do not contain vitamin D or vitamin B12 unless specifically added.

Moreover, since October 22, 2017, trade names containing the term "milk" have been prohibited from designating plant milk in the European Union, Switzerland but also in Canada. The word "milk" is reserved exclusively for milk of animal origin.

So is it still possible to give this type of milk to cats? Professor Paragon is reluctant to give vegetable milk to a cat: “There are few calories, very little protein except soy milk, little fat… 

There is nothing interesting in this milk. It's just water and the owners are going to spend a fortune for nothing. As a veterinarian, my duty is to defend the health of animals. 

Remember that cats are carnivores. For me, cats should eat mice, birds, or quality food”.

Read more: Food allergies in cats 

3-Is there an advantage to giving this kind of milk?

As Professor Paragon explained, there is no particular benefit to giving oat, soy, or other milk to your cat, “The cats need to drink water."

4-Are there any side effects?

Read more: How do I change my cat's diet?

Can cats drink vegetable milk?

While cow's milk can cause digestive problems in a number of cats, no scientific study has shown that vegetable milk cause side effects.

However, Bernard Marie Paragon wants to warn owners who would like to give vegetable milk: “In fact, vegetable milk is not dangerous unless the drink has been given as a substitute for cow’s milk. This can lead to a major calcium imbalance. 

With the exception of soy milk, proteins are very little present in vegetable milk”.
Almond milk, soy milk, hazelnut milk… Can we give vegetable milk to a cat?

It is also important to be wary of the carbohydrates present in vegetable milk which could lead to digestive disorders and cause diarrhea, for example.

As you will have understood, even if the cat can drink vegetable milk (soya, hazelnut, or even oats), the owner has no particular interest in giving it to him.

For the good health of the cat, it is better to bet on a bowl of water and/or a little cow's milk if it is not lactose intolerant. Do not hesitate to consult your veterinarian who will be able to provide you with advice.




I hope I explained the information well.

And if you like the content, please share it with friends so that the benefit prevails.

You have all my love and appreciation, and do not forget to subscribe to the blog to receive everything new so that you will be the first to benefit. See you in another content.