Can Cats Have Oat Milk
Plant-based milks have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it seems there is always a new type popping up in our local grocery store.
One of these is oat milk. If you are an oat milk drinker, you may wonder if this kind of milk is a beverage that you can share with your feline companion at home. Take a look below to learn about cats and oat milk— whether or not this is a treat you can share with your cat, and more details on why!
Can Cats Have Oat Milk?
Yes, your cat can drink oat milk, just like we humans can! However, it is important that you only give your cat oat milk in moderation, as it is a special treat. Too much can make them sick or cause digestive issues.
Also, you should be careful not to give your cat flavored versions of oat milk— only the plain variety. Some of these flavorings and additives could be harmful to your cat, so it is better to be safe rather than sorry!
Also Read – Can Cats Eat Dog Food?
What Is Oat Milk?
Oat milk is a plant-based milk alternative. It is made by extracting the water from oats, and involves a process with steps such as soaking, blending, and straining to result in the creamy liquid we recognize as oat milk!
Benefits of Oat Milk
While oat milk does not fulfill the nutritional demands of your cat’s diet, there are still some vitamins and nutrients that it contains that can be beneficial. We will go over some of these below.
Potassium
Potassium is a nutrient that can be found in oat milk. It is known for keeping blood pressure regular and healthy, as well as being good for your cat’s muscles.
Iron
Iron is also present in oat milk. Iron is an important part of your cat’s diet as it dissolves and supplies oxygen to the different body parts of the animal.
This helps your cat’s body develop, as well as function regularly. Without enough iron, the immune system of your cat will weaken and they can be susceptible to different illnesses much easier.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A can be found in oat milk, and this is the vitamin that is credited for both good eyesight and healthy skin and hair. The Vitamin A in oat milk can help to supplement the eyesight of your cat and ensure that its skin and coat are soft and healthy.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is another vitamin that can be found in oat milk, and it is important in your cat’s daily diet, too. It can help to form the nutrients that are crucial to your cat’s growing body structure, and can help prevent bone deformities.
Calcium
Of course, calcium is one of the first nutrients we think of when we think of milk. Calcium is also present in oat milk.
Calcium protects bones from injury and helps to grow and maintain bone mass. This can be especially important for a young, growing cat— such as if you are the owner of a kitten.
Further Reading – Why Do Cats Roll In Dirt?
Additional Reading – Does Your Cat Need a Nutritional Supplement?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cats have oat milk or almond milk?
When we are drinking milk, as humans, there are plenty of other options besides traditional cow milk. There are many lactose-free options, such as oat milk or almond milk.
If this is a kind of milk that you already keep stocked in your fridge, then you may be wondering if it is something you can give to your cat, too. The short answer is no, you should not give your cat oat milk or almond milk, since there are not as many, or in some cases, no nutritional benefits in these kinds of milk for your cat.
What kind of milk can cats drink?
In movies or cartoons, we are used to seeing cats lapping up milk. It has been ingrained on many of us that this is one of a cat’s favorite treats!
However, not all cats are able to drink milk, and the lactose in it can bother their stomachs— just as if it were a lactose intolerant human drinking milk!
The same can happen to our feline friends. As long as your cat is not having diarrhea or throwing up, then it should be able to drink any sort of cow milk, such as whole, skim, or 2%. Some experts also recommend cream, rather than milk, as cream contains less lactose.
Is oat milk good for cats and dogs?
Oat milk is a very popular alternative to cow milk, and many of us now have it in our fridges. It has become easy to find in grocery stores, too. While it is healthy for humans, it is not as commonly recommended for cats or dogs.
That being said, it is still safe for cats and dogs, so you can give it to your pets if you so wish! Oat milk is not a milk that has ingredients that would be toxic to your cat or dog, and it also has some vitamins and nutrients such as calcium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B complex.
It is important to note that this cannot be said of all plant based milks, so be sure to take a look at the label first!
Can pets drink oat milk?
When it comes to milk and plant based milk alternatives, oat milk has largely edged out almond milk as of late. It comes in different flavors and is said to be a tastier plant-based alternative to almond milk.
You may be wondering if this is something that you can share with your pets, too— it is always hard to say no to those eyes when they are begging at the table! Oat milk is safe for your pets to drink, as long as you give it to them in small quantities. When it comes to “human food”, everything is best in moderation, after all!
You should also avoid giving your pets the flavored versions of oat milk, such as chocolate, as some of the flavorings or ingredients could end up making them sick.