Can Kittens Drink Milk Instead Of Water

Since cats don t always drink enough water they may get dehydrated.

Can kittens drink milk instead of water. However kittens who are old enough to separate from their mothers are old enough to drink water instead of milk. At this point usually around 6 to 8 weeks it is safe to provide your kitten with water. Water it may sound boring but your cat needs a lot of water in order for their organs and other systems to function properly. You can try getting them a water fountain to drink out of if they re not interested in the traditional bowl of water.

This applies only to mom s milk though as cow s milk can often lead to tummy distress and diarrhea troubles in kittens so be careful and keep it away from them. Lactose free milk both humans and cats can drink lactose free milk without having the typical digestive upset. Why do adult cats crave milk. They no longer need milk to survive.

If that s the case with your cat adding a wet food to her diet can contribute to her daily total water intake. If she s not available or able to feed them you can feed orphaned kittens kitten milk replacement formula by a bottle. Some cats prefer moving water rather than drinking from a bowl so using a cat fountain may encourage her to drink more. Leave water out at all times.

Young kittens will drink their mother s milk until they are weaned. Chances are you imagined a kitten drinking from a bowl of milk possibly with a bow around her neck. From around 4 weeks of age they will start to explore solid food and drink more water alongside their mother s milk. Discard any remaining milk after 30 60 minutes.

Fresh clean water is the only drink a cat over 8 weeks of age requires. There should also be free access to fresh water for their mother and kittens will start to lap this too. After a few weeks a mother cat begins to ween her kittens off of her milk and to encourage them to eat other foods. Cats are generally less keen on drinking water so wet food is great for keeping cats hydrated now that you know the answer to the question of can cats drink milk is no make sure you avoid.

If you choose to give your cat milk it is still important to provide him with fresh water in addition to the milk and only give milk as an occasional treat. Young kittens those under 4 or 5 weeks old need to nurse from their mom to get nutrients and hydration. Older already weaned kittens just need water to stay hydrated. However you do want to limit your cat s intake because it doesn t have many nutrients they use.