Can cats drink chocolate milk? I know this is one of the favorite drinks ever, but will our little pets agree with us?
I’m really confident that they wouldn’t object to dipping their paws in chocolate milk. But, I’m also very well aware of the fact that felines are picky eaters.
Still, I just don’t see how someone could deny this amazing, delicious treat. Sure, it’s not the healthiest drink out there. But, it just makes you wonder if you can share this heavenly beverage with your best friend.
I’m always sad when I can’t offer my pet something I’m having. What makes it even harder is if she’s really eager to try it out.
I know human foods are supposed to be off-limit for our furry companions. However, I sometimes seem to have a hard time staying faithful to my vet and their advice. I will oftentimes sneak some of what I’m having under the table for her to taste.
I’m fully aware that I probably shouldn’t do that. But most cat parents usually think “What’s going to happen if she just has a bite or a sip of something? How bad could it actually be?“
You’re right. Even though they’re small and fragile-looking, our furry companions are actually quite tough. These little creatures can handle a lot of things.
While a sip of some human beverage probably won’t hurt her, the risk still remains. I just want to emphasize the word probably, so you don’t entirely focus on the part that won’t hurt her.
We’re still about to find out if cats can drink chocolate milk. I find it to be my job to deliver the news to you in the best way possible and explain some things.
Can cats drink chocolate milk?
I know you’re probably hoping for a positive answer, but unfortunately, I can’t give you one. The world sure must seem a sad place when your pet isn’t able to enjoy the simple things with you.
I know for a fact how hard it can be to keep your cat away from your treats. My fluffy devil will even paw at the glass of water because she’s that curious.
I sometimes can’t distinguish whether she’s just being a spoiled brat or she’s genuinely interested in new foods. However, there’s always a certain level of concern present whenever they encounter new stuff.
If your feline has come across some chocolate milk while you looked away for two seconds, I understand your worry. Trust me, I’ve been there.
Unfortunately, your worries are justified. Now, I really don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but I have to say it. Cats cannot drink chocolate milk as it’s not safe for them.
I know this probably wasn’t what you wanted to hear, but it’s the truth. Out of all of the possible human foods that you could share with your pet out there, chocolate milk just isn’t one of those.
It’s some pretty devastating news, especially if you’re reading this right after your pet drank some chocolate milk. If she had a large amount, I suggest you call your vet.
But if your furry companion only got a lick of it, don’t panic. She isn’t likely to feel any consequences of a light sip. Therefore, stick with me to find out more about this treat in detail.
Do cats even like chocolate milk?
I honestly can’t think of anyone not liking chocolate milk. I know that this probably sounds silly, but how can you not love something so sweet and delicious?
Well, if our cats could talk, I’m sure they’d tell us. The thing is that felines aren’t usually drawn to sweet things. Sure, your pet might’ve tried it out and liked it.
So? Do cats enjoy drinking chocolate milk? I’m afraid that it’s not the taste that got your pet all excited. It’s probably the high amount of fat and other nutrients this treat contains.
Here’s something to ease your mind: cats don’t like sweets. It sounds unbelievable, but it’s completely true. Felines don’t have the taste buds that pick up on that sugary flavor.
It sounds unfortunate, but it’s actually quite handy. Therefore, I wouldn’t necessarily say that cats like drinking chocolate milk but hey, to each their own.
What’s wrong with chocolate milk?
Well actually, there’s nothing wrong with chocolate milk. I believe that most people would agree with me.
It’s just so delicious and divine that you can’t possibly find any problem related to this beverage. On the other hand, there’s a clear problem in the cat world.
You don’t really have to be an expert or a veterinarian to understand how certain things function. But, we’re also no magicians to know what our cats’ next step is going to be.
Therefore, I want to give you a detailed description of this drink and list all of the reasons your pet can’t enjoy it. If you want to know why the answer to the question “Can cats drink chocolate milk?” is No, then keep on reading.
1. Chocolate
I want to think that you’re aware of the fact that felines shouldn’t consume chocolate. And when I say that they shouldn’t eat it, it goes for every single kind of chocolate out there.
Whether it be dark, milk, white, or any kind, it’s off-limits for cats. If you want your pet to live many years and stay by your side nice and healthy, you’ll stick to this advice.
If you didn’t already know – chocolate is extremely poisonous to felines. It’s dangerous because it could have a fatal outcome for your pet.
I know that this is terrifying to even hear, but it’s a major concern of every pet owner out there. If you feel like I’m exaggerating or overreacting, I get why you feel that way.
You’re probably thinking to yourself how could something so delicious and harmless-looking be a major threat to my cat’s health?
Well, we all know that looks are deceiving, but chocolate is definitely a master of that proverb. Unfortunately for our furry companions, chocolate is their nemesis.
It contains a couple of compounds that make this treat completely inedible to your pet. The two compounds that make it so toxic to cats are called theobromine and caffeine.
These two can build up in your pet’s digestive system because she’s unable to digest them.
This may cause a series of unwanted events and your pet may exhibit different symptoms of poisoning. Some of these include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, as well as tremors, seizures, and coma.
Now, I’m not saying your pet’s going to die after eating a little chunk of chocolate. However, you should always keep in mind that it’s not good for her; and that things could always get out of control.
2. What about milk?
I honestly feel like this is a worn-out story. Nevertheless, it’s still worth mentioning and educating people about. It’s one of the biggest frauds commercials could’ve committed.
Seriously, cats drinking milk is one of the greatest myths in the cat world. I’m not making this up because science backs me up, as well as mother nature.
You see, felines are lactose intolerant. So, next time when you ask yourself can cats drink chocolate milk, it will probably pop up out of the back of your mind.
You’re probably confused by this new information because you’ve always seen cats drinking milk in cartoons, movies, as well as commercials.
I’m sorry to be the one to burst your bubble, but it’s not true. Sure, felines will lap up milk if you give it to them but the real question is are they allowed?
To make things more clear – as they grow older and don’t need their mom’s milk anymore, cats lose the needed enzymes for breaking down lactose, a sugar found in milk.
That’s why dairy products may cause struggle for your pet’s digestive health. It might cause bloating, gasses, as well as vomiting, and diarrhea.
Just like any dairy product, no matter where it comes from – cows, goats – milk is bound to make your feline uncomfortable.
Some pets might deal with it better than others. It all depends, because just like humans, our pets are individuals and every one of them has distinct experiences.
Lactose intolerance is a problem for all cats. Unfortunately, there’s something else that might not be a trouble for all of them, but certainly is for some cats.
3. Dairy allergies
As if you haven’t been scared enough by now, cats can also have dairy allergies. You know how she’s been allergic to seafood lately, right?
Well, the same thing can happen with dairy products. I know that this is probably the last thing you want to hear right now. But hey, don’t blame the messenger! I’m here only to help you understand why your pet can’t enjoy some of the deliciousness this drink brings.
You wanted to know “Can cats drink chocolate milk?” and I’m only helping you out the best I can. Therefore, when I say that milk shouldn’t be a part of your pet’s diet, you better trust me.
The thing with allergies is that you can never know if your pet has one until she tries it out. If your cat has lapped up some milk and you’re worried she’s allergic to dairy, you might want to keep an eye on her.
Some of the symptoms of dairy allergies might include vomiting, diarrhea, as well as stomach pains. All of these symptoms mirror the ones of lactose intolerance. Well, that’s definitely true, but thankfully, there’s a slight difference.
If your pet’s allergic to something, she will most likely exhibit symptoms such as skin rashes, itching, as well as respiratory problems.
Nevertheless, it would be best if you keep your feline away from any dairy products. If she gets the runs, she definitely won’t be the only one in trouble!
Why can’t cats drink chocolate milk?
I’ve already mentioned the fact that chocolate is extremely dangerous to felines and explained it in detail. Also, I’ve touched upon milk as one of the greatest myths in the cat world, and the impact it has on felines.
Now it’s time to delve deeper into this topic. I’ll let you know all of the details of this drink and all the health disadvantages it has for your fur kid.
This will hopefully help you understand just how and why this tasty treat isn’t good for your kitten.
I want you to be fully aware of how this works and why the relationship between cats and chocolate milk isn’t a healthy one. Therefore, let’s dig even deeper into this delicious beverage.
1. High amounts of sugar
This is really unfortunate, but chocolate milk has high amounts of sugar that just aren’t healthy for pets. Felines can’t benefit from these carbs in any way.
Moreover, they can only be detrimental to your pet’s health. I know you’re probably thinking how she’s had sugar before and nothing bad happened ever again.
Well, you’re right but to some degree. The effects of sugar intake might not be visible in an instant or in a short period of time. Just because it’s not poisonous, it doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous.
People tend to forget about the long-term effects and what consequences it might leave on their furry companion. I don’t want to raise alarms but be prepared for some bad news.
Like I previously said, your feline won’t die because she licked a bit of sugar or ate something that has sugar in it. However, she might experience troubles later on.
If your pet consumes sugar on a regular basis, she might become obese. While this is usually something everyone cooes at, it’s not cute at all.
Additional weight puts a lot of stress on your feline’s joints. This could possibly set the grounds for developing arthritis later on.
Moreover, sugar can also lead to the development of diabetes, dental decay, and many other dangerous diseases. This can really ruin the quality of your pet’s life, so you must look after her.
2. Fats, calories, and carbs
All of these nutrients can be found in abundance in chocolate milk. You wanted to find out if cats can drink chocolate milk, so here you go.
I believe you understand by this point that things aren’t looking the best for your feline, but just to demonstrate to you more closely, we’re bringing in more details as well.
You see, we all need the fat that’s healthy for us and our bodies. We need the kind of fat that’s going to keep our bodies happy and fueled. Unfortunately, you won’t find that kind of fat in chocolate milk.
The fats found in this drink are unhealthy ones that can cause a lot of problems that are health-related. The issues might occur in weight gain, blood clotting, as well as heart strokes, and other heart diseases.
Calories and carbs are only adding to the weight and ruining your pet’s life. Therefore, make sure you stick with her usual diet and leave the sweets for yourself.
