These days when I walk into a coffee place, I can spend a good couple of minutes just thinking of what kind of milk to add to my coffee. Having to ask the counter if they have anything else besides cow’s milk is a thing of the past.
I’m a fan of adding cashew milk to my coffee when available but it’s harder to find than the usual almond or oat milk.
As a fan of cashew nuts, I have a huge stock of nuts, cashew milk and cashew butter at home. I find cashew milk really yummy and so does my cat.
That greedy feline friend of mine will easily finish up a whole cup if given the opportunity.
Can cats have cashew milk safely?
It is ok for cats to have some cashew milk if they so desire. However, cat owners have to be mindful of certain aspects of feedings non-dairy milk to their cats. Too much cashew milk can cause health problems for your cat’s health.
Let’s take a closer look at what cashew milk is and whether should you be giving it to your cat.
What Is Cashew Milk?
Cashew milk is basically made from cashew nuts and milk. No other animals are involved in the making of this nut milk which makes it lactose-free.
Cashew nuts are first cleaned and roasted. Once that is done, they are soaked in water for some time before being blended with more water and added ingredients.
Cashew milk is said to be rich in vitamins and minerals. Health benefits that one can get from drinking cashew milk are:
- Better immune system
- Good heart health
- Promotes eye health
Here’s the nutritional breakdown of a cup of cashew milk:
Calories: 57 cals
Fats: 2.6g
Carbs: 8.1g
Protein: 1.1g
Sodium: 2.5g
Can Cats Drink Cashew Milk?
I wouldn’t say that it is a hard no if you wish to give your cat cashew milk. There are many cats out there that have a love for anything milky. And I rather you feed them some form of nut milk rather than animal milk.
Here are some reasons why I am for cashew milk.
Cashew Milk Is Dairy Free
Cashew milk being dairy free is a really big plus point for me.
Another dairy-free alternative for cats is rice milk. It is ok for cats to drink some rice milk but you need to moderate the amount as it’s very high in carbs.
Not many cat owners seem to realize that our cats are actually lactose intolerant.
Feeding them dairy products that contain lactose can upset your cat’s digestive system and cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Sure, kittens can handle milk pretty well but that’s because their bodies produce the enzyme called lactase which is needed to break down lactose.
Once they are weaned off milk, their bodies will gradually cease to produce that enzyme and eventually become lactose intolerant.
The same goes for the majority of human beings as well that have some degree of lactose intolerance after the age of 5.
Cashew Milk Is Lower In Fat
Another good thing about cashew milk is that it’s lower in fat as compared to animal milk which has high-fat content.
A cup of cashew milk contains about 2g cat vs 8g for a cup of whole cow’s milk.
That is 4x more the fat content.
Too much fat in your cat’s diet can lead to health issues such as:
- Feline obesity
- Pancreatitis
- Feline Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart diseases
More than 30% of cats in America are overweight and you shouldn’t make your cat part of that statistic.
Is Cashew Milk Toxic To Cats?
The good thing is that you can feed your cat cashew milk without having to worry about any toxic reactions.
However, there are a few things that you need to be mindful of before feeding your cat.
Feed In Small Quantities
Even though cashew milk is safe for cats, it should not be a regular addition to your cat’s diet.
Cats are obligate carnivores and they need animal protein to survive.
Cats do not eat plants or plant matter in the wild unless. Some cats are known to chew on grass when they are not feeling too well.
Feeding your cat cashew milk should be regarded as a treat and not exceed more than 5-10% of your cat’s calorie intake.
Might Cause An Allergic Reaction
Nut allergies are quite common in cats and sit up there as one of the top three causes of itching in cats.
The thing is, there’s no telling if your cat is actually allergic to nuts in general until you feed it something nut related.
There are a couple of things to look out for if your cat is having an allergic reaction to cashew milk.
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Itching around the face area and/or body
- Hair loss
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Most allergic reactions will go away on their own after a few days but if the symptoms seem severe, you need to bring your cat to the vet for medical treatment.
Oh yes, no more nut-based products for your kitty ever again.
Can I Make Cashew Milk At Home For My Cat?
If you plan to give your cat some cashew milk, I would prefer if you made it yourself at home.
Store-bought cashew milk can contain sugar and other added stuff which might not be healthy for your cat.
It is actually very simple to make it at home which I myself have done before.
All you need are some cashew nuts, water and a blender.
Please do not add any sugar or other stuff to your cat’s milk.
Just keep it plain.
What Kind Of Milk Can Cats Drink?
I understand that mainstream media has given so many of us the impression that our kitties are milk drinkers and fish eaters.
Milk in general isn’t good for them due to cats being lactose intolerant.
If your cat has not shown any strong desire to drink milk, it is best to not start feeding your cat any.
Once you unleash the dairy beast in your cat, you can’t vanquish it back to oblivion.
Can Kittens Drink Cashew Milk?
If you are currently bottle-feeding your kitten or it’s still on a milk diet, please do not give it any cashew milk.
Cashew milk is very low in protein and doesn’t contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals that are important for a growing kitten.
Your little kitty needs a specialized milk formula that you can get from the vet or pet store.
Are Cashews Toxic to Cats?
There’s no need to go into panic mode if your cat eats a cashew nut. Cashew nuts are non-toxic to cats as well.
However, given the size of a cashew nut, it can become a choking hazard if it gets stuck in your cat’s throat.
Please do not feed your cat any salted cashews or those that are coasted with sugar or added ingredients.
It is better and safer to just stick to cashew milk.