You know what our feline friends are like. They always want whatever we have! So if you’ve ever poured yourself some coconut milk, maybe Fluffy demanded some too. But can cats drink coconut milk?
No, you shouldn’t give your cat coconut milk. There’s no need to worry if your feline just has a tiny bit of this liquid, but you shouldn’t make a habit of letting your cat have coconut milk. Coconut milk can be harmful to cats in large quantities.
Why is Coconut Milk Bad for Cats?
Coconut milk is bad for cats because coconut and products derived from it have harmful effects on felines. The oils in coconuts (and coconut milk) cause health problems like upset stomach and diarrhea. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, sometimes to a dangerous level.
As well as the oils in coconut milk, other ingredients are bad for your feline friend. Manufacturers sometimes add sugar and other unwanted ingredients to the milk.
Why Shouldn’t Cats Have Sugar?
The feline digestive system isn’t meant to deal with sugar. If a cat ingests sugar (especially a relatively large amount of sugar), it will probably have diarrhea, vomiting, and general gastrointestinal upset.
Sugar is a carbohydrate. As obligate carnivores, cats shouldn’t consume too many carbohydrates. The only kinds of carbohydrates that felines generally eat naturally are grass and other plant material. They do this to add fiber to their systems.
Can Cats Have Coconut Oil?
No, you shouldn’t give your cat coconut oil in any amount. As we discussed earlier, there is coconut oil in coconut milk, and that is why that milk is bad for felines.
You might be confused as you’ve read elsewhere that small amounts of coconut oil can benefit cats. While it’s true that a tiny amount of this oil may not hurt your feline friend, you should usually steer clear of it.
If you give your cat too much coconut oil, it will likely suffer from diarrhea as well as vomiting and an upset stomach.
If you want to give your cat any coconut oil, make sure to talk to your veterinarian first. A vet will tell you whether you should do this and how much you should offer.
Can Kittens Drink Coconut Milk?
No, you shouldn’t give kittens coconut milk. It’s bad for kittens for the same reason it’s bad for full-grown cats. It contains coconut oil that can cause gastrointestinal upset, sometimes severe.
If you let your kitten drink coconut milk, it will probably end up with an upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting. If your kitten has a lot of diarrhea, it could become dehydrated. This can be dangerous.
Dehydration is even more dangerous for kittens than it is for full-grown cats. Baby animals are always more fragile and vulnerable.
If the coconut milk contains sugar, it’s even worse for your pet. Cats shouldn’t ingest sugar. It can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. Also, too much unhealthy food can lead to obesity, and obesity is linked to a wide range of other medical issues.
Kittens Need Cat Milk
Kittens should never be taken away from their mothers too early. They need their mothers’ milk. It would be dangerous to try to replace or supplement it with coconut milk, as that milk simply doesn’t have the nutrients your kitten needs.
Can Coconut Milk Be Healthy for Cats?
As long as you only give your cat a tiny amount, coconut milk may have positive health effects. But you need to talk to your vet first before you offer it. If you give your pet too much of this liquid, there will probably be digestive upset.
If you have a hard time getting your cat to drink enough water to stay hydrated, you’ve probably wondered whether you can give it milk. However, you shouldn’t give a feline enough of any kind of milk that would make it a good water supplement or replacement.
Instead, you should find other ways to give more water to your cat. For example, you can mix water into its food.
Symptoms of Dehydration in Cats
Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, as it causes excessive water loss.
Dehydration is quite dangerous for cats and should be taken seriously.
If your cat has diarrhea or vomiting, you should watch out for symptoms of dehydration. These include:
- Lower skin elasticity
- Tacky or dry gums and other mucous membranes
- Gums are bright red or almost white
- Eyes look sunken
- Panting
- Urine has a dark color
- Weakness and fatigue
- Lack of appetite
If you notice your pet has any of these symptoms, give it extra water immediately and ensure it is drinking the liquid. Watch and see how much your cat drinks. Your furry friend will need to drink water to recover from dehydration.
Should the symptoms be severe, you should get your cat immediate veterinary attention. Severe dehydration is a serious condition, and it needs medical intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s look at some frequently asked questions related to whether cats can drink coconut milk.
Can cats have coconut milk ice cream?
No, cats should not have coconut milk ice cream. That is because coconut milk ice cream contains coconut milk. As discussed earlier, coconut milk contains coconut oil, which can cause problems for your cat.
If you give your cat coconut milk ice cream, it will probably develop diarrhea and even vomiting. As well as the coconut milk in this ice cream, the sugar and other ingredients it includes have harmful effects on felines.
Can cats have coconut milk yogurt?
No. It is ill-advised to give your cat coconut milk yogurt. Like coconut milk ice cream, coconut milk yogurt contains coconut milk, which is a problem for felines.
Similar question: Can cats eat yogurt?
Can cats drink cow’s milk?
In the past, many people gave their cats cow’s milk as a treat or even daily. But this was misguided. Cow milk has unfortunate health effects for felines.
Many felines are lactose intolerant. If your pet has this condition, cow’s milk will make it sick. Like coconut milk, your cat will probably have gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Can cats drink goat’s milk?
Most cats are better able to drink goat’s milk than cow’s milk. There is less lactose in goat’s milk than in cow’s milk, so it’s easier to tolerate. However, if your cat has severe lactose intolerance, you probably shouldn’t give them any milk, including goat’s milk.
Can cats drink soy milk?
No, you shouldn’t give your cat soy milk. It is too much of a challenge for the feline digestive system. The sugars in soy milk are the culprits. If you give your feline friend soy milk, it will probably end up with an upset stomach.
Can cats drink almond milk?
Overall, almond milk is a little better than other kinds of milk. However, you shouldn’t get carried away with how much of it you give your pet.
You can offer some of this liquid to your cat as an occasional treat, but ensure you talk to your vet first. Almond milk may have some health benefits for your cat, but you must be sure it is beneficial to a feline diet before offering it.
Like almond milk, coconut milk is something you should not give your cat. Should you want to give your feline a little bit as a treat, talk to your veterinarian first. Remember that coconut milk contains coconut oil, which can lead to gastrointestinal upset (including diarrhea and vomiting) in your pet.
