Have you ever wondered if your cat can drink human breast milk? It may sound like a strange question, but this is one that has been asked by many cat owners.
While there is no definitive answer to this question, there are some factors to consider when it comes to feeding your cat with human breast milk.
In this post, we will put all related questions that you might want to know before feeding your cat human breast milk and provide some advice on whether or not it is safe for cats to consume.
What Is the Difference Between Human and Cats Breast Milk?
Both human and cat breast milk are important sources of nutritional supplies for their respective species.
However, there are differences in several ways such as composition, purpose, and nutritional value.
The volume of milk produced by each species is another important distinction between cat and human breast milk.
Humans normally can produce more than enough milk for their babies while cats can produce only enough to meet their kittens for a few days or weeks at a time.
This difference is because humans have longer gestation periods than cats do, so it means that humans need more time to build up to supply or produce milk for their babies.
Can Cats Drink Human Breast Milk?
No, human breast milk is not recommended to feed your cat.
Cats are obligate carnivores. It means they require a diet that is high in animal-based proteins and fats while the nutritional value of cat milk and humans are very different.
While a few amounts of it are not harmful to your cat but it is still good for them. Human milk is designed for serving the nutritional needs of humans, it doesn’t provide the proper nutrient balance for cats.
Is Human Breast Milk Safe for Cats?
No, human breast milk is not safe for cats or kittens.
Human breast milk contains lactose which cats are unable to digest.
So, if your cat consumes too much lactose, it can lead to your cat’s problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
In addition, human milk may also contain viruses or bacteria that can be harmful to your cat.
Overall, while drinking human breast milk may not cause any immediate harm to your cat, it might develop health problems in the future.
However, if you still want to feed it to your cat, you should not use it as a regular source since it can make your cat digestive issues.
What Kind of Milk Can Cats Drink?
Many cats have problems with milk, so does it mean cats cannot drink milk? If they can, what kind of milk can the cat drink?
Yes, cats can drink cow milk, if they have no problem with digesting milk, but it is not suggested to feed them as a regular part of their diet.
Since cow’s milk contains lactose, it is difficult to break down lactose which can cause your cat’s digestive issues.
Obviously, if your cat actually has a lactose intolerance, and you still prefer to feed them milk, you should feed them lactose-free milk. This type of milk has been removed, so it is easy for a cat to digest.
While your cat can drink cow’s milk but keep noticing that your cat is an obligate carnivore, they are required to eat meat in the majority of its diet.
However, it is a better idea to ask your vet before you allow them to drink milk.
Can Kittens Drink Cow’s Milk?
Yes, kittens can drink cow’s milk but it is not good for them.
Cow’s milk is not recommended for kittens since it doesn’t have the right balance of nutrients that kittens need for proper growth and development.
Kittens also find it difficult to digest cow’s milk, which can lead to digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea.
However, if you want to feed your kitten cow’s milk, you can find milk that is low in lactose and specially prepared for kittens.
Can Cats Drink Human Breast Milk? Bottom Line:
No, cats shouldn’t drink human breast milk. Human breast milk is designed to provide nutrition to human babies, so it is not the right balance for cats to grow and develop properly.
Human breast milk also can lead to your cat’s digestive problems as well as other health problems because it contains lactose that your cat might be hard to digest.
However, if you prefer to feed your cat milk you should buy only specially formulated for your cat or kitten.
Thank you for your time. We hope it is helpful for you.