My Cat Loves Oat Milk: Is It Safe For Her To Drink?

Ask any cat owner and they will tell you that their cat has no boundaries, which isn’t always a bad thing!

It strengthens the bond between pet and parent, sharing lots of things like living space, playtime, and sleeping areas.

However, one thing that many owners wish they didn’t have to share would be food and drink. As we all know, cats are opportunistic and will try and get their paws on anything that we’re trying to eat.

It doesn’t matter what it is, but they will find a way to try the food or drink and will climb on the ceiling if they have to! One thing that many people will see their cat enjoying is oat milk.

As more and more people in the world take steps to become dairy-free, drinks like oat milk and soy milk are being seen more frequently.

But, is it safe for cats to drink? Even if they enjoy the milk, it might be harmful.

We have the answers, just read on to find out whether it’s okay to let your cat drink oat milk, whether it’s willingly or when your back is turned!

What Is Oat Milk & Is Oat Milk Good For Cats?

If you’ve ever tried almond milk before, then you already know how amazing this alternative can be to your standard milk with dairy in it.

Just as with almonds, oats contain nutrients that are great for our health.

They also provide us with protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. And because they are high in antioxidants, they reduce inflammation throughout the body and keep you healthy.

In addition, oatmeal contains beta-glucans, which are beneficial for immune system function, gut health, and wound healing. This makes them an excellent ingredient for making homemade treats!

Oats are also rich in lignans, which are chemicals that protect against cancers such as colon cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and uterine cancer.

They also help prevent heart disease and other potentially life-threatening illnesses.

What Does Oat Milk Taste Like?

If you’ve never tried oat milk before, you’ll notice immediately how much nuttier it tastes compared to regular milk.

It can almost taste like actual oat nuts and it’s absolutely delicious. You can use any kind of milk instead of oat milk, but we recommend giving your cat a try.

It has its health benefits and can be a great substitute for dairy-based products.

Do Cats Like Regular Milk?

You may think that cats don’t like regular milk and that it’s just a cliché from cartoons, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Studies are showing that over half of domesticated cats prefer regular milk over formula.

When cats do consume milk, they tend to prefer it from cows rather than goats.

The reason behind this preference is the fact that most commercial cow milk contains a varying amount of fat, making some cats prefer cream. This should be an occasional treat though!

Some cats even like to lick the inside of the bottle when they’re drinking milk.

If this happens to you, make sure to clean the bottle before using it again because they may have left bacteria and germs from their saliva and their tongue inside the container.

Can Cats Drink Lactose-Free Milk?

The only problem with lactose-free milk is that it does not contain enough calcium to support bone development.

Because of this, parents need to supplement their kittens’ diets with additional calcium during the first few months of their lives.

During the earlier years of a cat’s life, it’s important to help facilitate their body growth and let them develop properly. Dairy is perfect for that.

Does Drinking Oat Milk Make Your Cat Sick?

Not necessarily. There have been cases where cats who drank oat milk were made sick afterward, but this might be down to an allergy or something to do with that specific feline.

This is a shame because nobody likes to see their furry friend in pain or sick, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that your cat will be sick from drinking oat milk.

Because every cat is different, it’s always good to treat them as such.

Unless the food or drink in question has a specific toxicity level toward cats, then you’re probably okay to give them a little bit and see if they like it.

Always do your research first and remember – everything is good in moderation!

Are There Any Other Benefits Of Drinking Oat Milk?

Oats are full of essential amino acids and proteins that promote muscle and skin health. This means that they’re perfect for keeping your cat looking its best.

Oats are also known to improve digestion, maintain hair quality, and boost energy levels.

Of course, it also tastes delicious but you need to make sure that the drink is beneficial for your cat’s health.

How Do I Know Whether My Cat Likes Their Drink?

If you want to know whether or not your cat loves their drink, you can take a look at its behavior.

Does your kitty spend time licking their bowl or water dish after finishing their meal? Do they seem to enjoy drinking while playing?

These are all signs that they love their drink and that they’re happy about it.

They will also make purring noises and might display a lot of affection afterward. This is because your taste buds send messages to your brain when enjoying food or drink, which releases endorphins.

Is Oat Milk Suitable For Kittens?

Yes, kittens can safely drink oat milk. Just keep in mind that it’s better to use kitten formulas instead of oat milk but they can drink it.

This way, you’ll ensure that they get all of the nutrients that they need to grow up healthy and strong. Whether they like the nut-based drink or not is a different story, however!

What Drink Is Best For Kittens?

There isn’t one single best drink for kittens. Depending on what type of diet your kitten eats, you may find that they prefer sweetened drinks over plain ones.

If your kitten eats dry foods, you should consider giving them wet meals too so that they don’t miss out on any vitamins or minerals.

You can check out our guide to feeding kittens here. However, kitten formula is always recommended because it’s made specifically with kittens and their growth in mind.

Why Is Kitten Formula Good For Kittens?

Kitten formula is designed to meet the nutritional needs of young kittens. Because their bodies aren’t fully developed yet, they require more calories than adult cats.

By adding extra protein and fat, you can help them grow faster and reach adulthood quicker.

Your kitten won’t feel hungry or tired after eating it either, unlike other types of pet food which may not be as filling.

Cat formula is designed to give your feline friend as much energy as possible and will have them playing and pouncing throughout the day.

Because it has all the right nutrients and vitamins needed to sustain proper growth throughout a cat’s life, kitten formula is the perfect drink to get your cat thriving and enjoying its healthy life!

Is Coconut Milk Good For Cats?

Coconut milk is another great option for both cats and dogs alike. Although it doesn’t contain much protein, it does provide plenty of calcium.

Calcium is important for building strong bones and teeth, plus it helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure.

In addition, coconut milk contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are easily digested by your cat’s body.

MCTs are used as an alternative fuel source for your cat’s metabolism, helping them burn off fats and carbohydrates to produce energy.

When finding new types of milk for cats, it doesn’t always have to have lots of health benefits after ingesting.

Every cat likes to have a good tasting drink every now and then, with taste being up there as the main thing when a cat enjoys having a treat.

However, the food or drink needs to be easy to digest, otherwise, it can cause health complications and issues further down the line.

How To Tell If My Cat Is Sick

One thing cat owners won’t want is seeing their feline friend in any sort of pain or discomfort. Most dairy products are okay for cats to have and can often be implemented into a regular diet.

However, lots of cats can get an upset stomach or have some sort of adverse reaction to certain food and drink, so you need to know the signs of when your cat is feeling unwell.

This way, you know when to give your cat a bowl of milk or to just stick to something easy like water.

Symptoms Of Feeling Unwell

If your cat seems to be acting differently or if they’re vomiting or showing signs of diarrhea, it could mean that they’re sick. When this happens, you must take action immediately to make sure they’re alright.

Any pet owner will kick into action and will know exactly when to call the vet to make sure The most common symptoms of illnesses include:

Vomiting

Vomiting is one of the first things that many people notice when their cat starts to act strangely.

They’ll usually throw up once or twice before coming back to normal. This isn’t a sign of sickness but rather a natural process that occurs when your cat gets stressed or scared.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is another symptom that comes along with sickness. It’s caused by the digestive system trying to expel foreign objects from the body.

While it’s nothing to worry about, it can lead to dehydration if left untreated.

Lethargy

Lethargy means that your cat is exhausted from lack of sleep or activity. Being lethargic can also occur due to stress or anxiety.

You should try and keep your cat active and engaged during times of low activity levels.

Fever

A fever can be a result of several different illnesses. Cats, especially kittens, tend to suffer from high fevers more than adults do.

Make sure that your kitten has access to fresh drinking water at all times and ensure that they’re not overheating.

Excessive Licking/Scratching

Scratching is normal behavior for cats. However, excessive scratching can be a warning sign of disease. Your cat may start to scratch themselves excessively when they feel ill.

How To Spot A Cat’s Allergic Reaction

Cats aren’t known for their allergy-prone nature. However, allergies are becoming increasingly common among pets these days.

Many cat owners don’t realize that their furry friends can develop allergies because they’re unaware of how to spot them. Some of the most common allergic reactions in cats include:

Itchy Skin

Itchy skin can be a sign of an allergy. You might see your cat scratching themselves or rubbing against furniture.

This is normal behavior but it can be a signal of an issue if they’re doing it too much.

Sneezing

Sneezing is a typical response to allergens in the air. It’s a protective mechanism that helps clear out mucus and other irritants from inside the nose.

If your cat sneezes frequently, it could indicate that they’re suffering from asthma.

Hair Loss

Hair loss is a very common sign of an allergy. As mentioned earlier, cats don’t seem to be particularly affected by allergies. However, hair loss can sometimes be a side effect of medication.

Skin Rashes

Skin rashes can be a result of an allergy or a fungal infection. They can appear on your cat’s paws, face, ears, tail, belly, or anywhere else on their body.

Final Thoughts

Oat milk is not bad for cats to have, so there’s no need to worry if your feline tries to make your nut-based drink an option for cats.

Much like with dairy milk, cats will find nutritional benefits from oat milk and might even enjoy the taste.

Some cats might be allergic, so you need to ensure that your specific cat doesn’t have a nasty reaction to the drink.

When younger, kittens will benefit more from dedicated cat milk so that they can gain the nutrients required to grow properly and develop into the healthy feline you want them to be.

At the end of the day, as long as your feline friend is happy and healthy, that’s the most important thing.