When a new health-promoting food product arouses our curiosity, we are interested in whether it is also safe for our pets. In particular, we can wonder if it is suited for cats. Can Cats drink almond milk?
Alternatives to milk, like soy milk and almond milk, provide consumers with a healthier alternative compared to regular cow’s milk.
With almond milk enjoying unprecedented success, it is quite legitimate to wonder if cats can drink it.
The answer is yes, cats can drink almond milk, but in moderation.
Is Almond Milk Dangerous for my Cat?
While there are many benefits of giving almond milk to your cat, there are times when it is not ideal for them.
First of all, almond milk can contain nuts. This is especially if it is prepared at home. As you probably already know, most cats are allergic to different types of nuts.
Therefore, serving almond milk that contains nut residue could be a danger to your furry friend. He could develop gastrointestinal problems such as nausea and vomiting, stomach pain and gas, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
The Benefits of Almond Milk for Cats
Deprived of lactose and saturated fat, almond milk is presented as a real alternative to cow’s milk. Very popular, it delights both adults and children with its sweet flavor.
Almond Milk Is Low in Calories
The first health benefit of almond milk is its remarkably low calorie content. However, it basically depends on how it is prepared. It is important to remember that almonds are almost 50% fat and are reasonably high in calories.
So, when buying industrially prepared almond milk, always make sure to check the ingredient list. This will help you get a better idea of the amount of calories before serving it to your cat.
Almond Milk Is Rich in Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in strengthening your cat’s bones and muscles. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to muscle weakness, general fatigue and weak bones.
Obviously, almond milk could be very helpful in relieving bone degeneration and muscle weakness in sick and aging cats. Less active and generally lazy cats can also benefit from these immense bone benefits.
Almond Milk Is Very Nutritious
You should know that cow’s milk is more nutritious than almond milk. However, almond milk contains a significant number of vitamins and minerals, playing an important role in strengthening your cat’s immune system.
Other nutritional elements in almond milk include protein, carbohydrates, fat, magnesium, thiamine, riboflavin, iron, and zinc.
What Are the Possible Side Effects of Almond Milk for Cats?
For cats who are very sensitive to almonds, you should expect one or more of the following symptoms:
- Loss of appetite.
- Vomiting and diarrhea.
- Bloating, pain and irritation in the abdomen.
- Irritability marked by excessive licking and scratching.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s time to take action. If you don’t, more drastic consequences, such as hair loss and weight loss, could follow.
At this point, your cat’s life is hanging by a thread, and it is imperative to see your vet. He will be able to examine the cat and establish his level of allergy and intolerance to almonds.
How Much Almond Milk Can my Cat Drink?
When giving your cat new human food, it’s best to start with a small amount and monitor it to see how she responds to it. You can offer her a few teaspoons of almond milk to observe your cat’s reaction. If there are no problems, you can increase the quantity.
However, if you discover that the amount of drunk almonds is alarmingly high, you should carefully monitor the cat. Cats react to almond milk differently depending on how much they drink as well as their level of sensitivity to almonds.
Can Cats Drink Almond Vanilla Milk?
Most manufacturers add flavor to their almond milk. This is done with the aim of improving its taste content and making it creamier, just like cow’s milk.
Most of the flavors are made using artificial sweeteners (like those found in yogurts). Examples of these sweeteners are stevia, strawberry, and vanilla. This brings us to the next question: can cats drink vanilla almond milk?
While vanilla almond milk is unlikely to be toxic to your cat, it is likely that she will experience abdominal discomfort. This results from the high sugar content of vanilla and other artificial sweeteners.
Therefore, if you must serve almond milk to your cat, always insist on unsweetened almond milk.
Almond Milk Alternatives for Cats
If your cat shows a strong aversion to almond milk, you don’t need to worry as there are many varieties of herbal milk that you can consider.
Soy milk is a great choice. It is one of the most nutritious of vegetable drinks because it contains lecithin, which helps fight against arteriosclerosis. Plus, it contains an abundance of amino acids that help build muscle mass while reducing muscle wasting.
Vegetable rice milk is a product enriched in carbohydrates but poor in calcium and proteins. It is also too sweet to be a good substitute for milk.
Finally, coconut milk is renowned for its weight loss and heart health benefits. On the other hand, it contains no protein and a very low amount of carbohydrates. On the contrary, it has a very high fat content.
Almonds and Milk Photo by jennyleenaguirre from Pixabay