Rice Milk for Kitten

Hi there,

I know that cow's milk is bad for baby cats but how about rice milk? Or even soy milk? Would this do damage to the little tummy as cow's milk would?

I don't know the answer to that question. How old is your kitty? Kittens can tolerate cow's milk better than adult cats - most adult cats have a lactose intolerance so cow's milk gives them diarrhea.

Whiskas does manufacture "Cat Milk" which is lactose-free and available in the pet isle of most supermarkets and every pet store I've been in.

Originally Posted by JakkieS

Hi there,

I know that cow's milk is bad for baby cats but how about rice milk? Or even soy milk? Would this do damage to the little tummy as cow's milk would?

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Hi Jakkie,

Well you've stumped me a bit on this! From all the quick research I just did, my concerns would be - soy is not considered the best protein for cats, and in fact I personally do not like using foods that include soy protein isolate or other soy products. I did find an article on Cheetahs fed a diet that included soy, and resultant liver damage which ceased occuring after the soy was withdrawn.

Basically...I'd look at the label for your soy and rice milk...are their sweeteners in there (as there are in so many human products to make them more palatable to us!)...if so, I'd not want to be giving this to my kitten. No need

I really like Laurie's suggestion...Catsip is real low-fat milk with added taurine, and I believe due to an enzyme they've added, the milk sugar (lactose) is negated, so it can be given to cats without causing them the issues that go along with lactose intolerance (gas, diarrhea).

I would have to say this is one to ask your vet, or perhaps one of the board's member's who are vet techs will respond, I'm sorry I don't have a complete answer for you!

Im lactose intolerant myself so i drink lactaid, a lactose free fat free milk in the dairy case, I give a bit to my cats now n then my vet thought this would be ok

Dylan prefers lactaid to the Whiskas.

I had been giving him lactaid a last week in tiny portions as he is sick...and then came across the Whiskas. He didn't seem to like the taste of the Whiskas.

I think you will have much better luck with a kitten who hasn't yet developed the finicky tendencies of a senior cat.

At Petco they sell about 6 different varieties of milk meant specifically for cats or kittens...you should check out their website. (however, I am not sure if they will show all of the products online. They did have a good selection at the actual store though.) If anything, you can find out about what cat milk products are out there.

Milk Treats available at Petco

Hi all,

I have found a line that made me happier, will of course keep searching for verification.

Bullwrinkle

Jakkie,

How old is this baby cat? The only milks that are OK for kittens older that 8 weeks are lactose reduced pet milks and even then they sometimes need diluting with water as some kittens develop diahorrea after drinking it. The other alternative is something called kitten glop. It's easy to make, inexpensive and yummy. The recipe is half-way down this page.

If the kitten is under 8 weeks, he should be having a kitten formula such as KMR or Just Born, even if he is weaned and you just want to supplement with some milk.

He is 8 weeks old and does drink water as well. The milk seems to be more of a comfort thing because he won't stop suckling until he has had some milk, he is a very determined little guy.

I have been giving him milk diluted about twice a day and the rest of the time he has to drink water. But I have noticed that he has a runny tummy from that. Dilution has been 1 tablespoon to 4 tablespoons of water. The problem came about because my older girl loves her milk in the evening and her tummy doesn't get upset by it and I completely forgot to put it somewhere he couldn't find it. It is almost like he is an addict who wants more even though it gives him the runs...

Jakkie, yes most kittens love any kind of milk and he won't associate the runs with the milk, he just knows he's got the runs. You should give him nothing but his normal food and water until the diahorrea is completely gone. After that, you can feed the Kitten Glop I mentioned earlier if you feel he'd like that. You've gotten some great advice about his suckling on your other thread.

We give some rice milk to our cats often (as well as other table "scraps"), and it's never hurt them. We also cook rice for them so they can have something yummy with fiber in it so they'd quit whining so much for food Rice is quite healthy for cats, and it's among the grains that cats can get the most % of nutrients out of. You just shouldn't be feeding a cat nothing but rice

Soy...bit more iffy. Some cats may be allergic, and soy in general isn't as digestible as rice for cats.

Originally Posted by Weatherlight

We give some rice milk to our cats often (as well as other table "scraps"), and it's never hurt them. We also cook rice for them so they can have something yummy with fiber in it so they'd quit whining so much for food

Rice is quite healthy for cats, and it's among the grains that cats can get the most % of nutrients out of. You just shouldn't be feeding a cat nothing but rice

Soy...bit more iffy. Some cats may be allergic, and soy in general isn't as digestible as rice for cats.

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Hi Weatherlight,

Until I get to a local store that carries rice milk, I'm gong to depend on you My concern with the rice milk was if sweeteners were added to this?

I know rice is benficial, and certainly I'll take it any day over corn or soy in my cat's foods (I've tried a few canned "with rice" with my guys with mixed success).

Ok, now a few days later the kitten doesn't have the runs anymore and he is very happy with the rice milk.

My only concern is that he doesn't want to eat dry food, he sniffs at it but that is as far is it goes. And he won't eat the kitten food anymore either. I am giving him "Bob Martins" as a supplement and I am hoping it will work coz he just loves the tuna and yankee clippers my other kitty is eating. I know that at almost nine weeks he still needs the extra goodies from the kitten food but he is definitely not interested. Is there a way to "trick" him into eating dry food?

You could try mixing a little of the dry food into the canned food and slowly increase the amount of dry over a few days. You can also try softening the dry food in some warm water and feeding him that. Another thing to try is warming his canned food in the microwave for 10 seconds and then stirring well, making sure there are no hot spots and that it isn't too hot. He may be filling up on the rice milk, leaving little room for his kitten food. Perhaps cut down on the rice milk so he becomes more interested in his kitten food.

I'm not sure what the Bob Martin things are but if they are designed as treats, it's best to only give him 1 or two a day.

Thanx for all the suggestions! Bob Martins is a vitamin supplement for cats that is available locally (SA).

Tania said it all so I won't say it again Your kitten def. needs kitten food as they are specially formulated with a higher protein content needed for healthy growth. I generally used kitten food for up to the 1st birthday.

Baie goed.

Originally Posted by Kumbulu

Baie goed.

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I speak cat, can read and still understand a bit of french, and picked up some spanish as a nurse,but I'm lost here!

lol Pat, it was Afrikaans as Jakkie is from South Africa. It means very good.

Originally Posted by Kumbulu

lol Pat, it was Afrikaans as Jakkie is from South Africa. It means very good.

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I had the "good" but was lost with the first word thank you!

You may want to top the kitten food with a little human baby food. Lamb, chix & turkey are favorites here.

Fern