Hi, every morning I have breakfast with unsweetened soy milk. My cats kill me if they can’t empty my bowl, but because I add stuff like raisins which include sugar, I give them some plain soy milk instead. The vet said it’s “probably fine”, but I want to know for certain. Does anyone know for certain soy milk is or isn’t bad for cats? Thanks!
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15141877/
Also, daring to doubt your vet and ask the internet for opinions. Normally it’s the other way around.
All I know for certain is that unsweetened is a lot better than regular. The added sugars and high calorie count is not good for cats.
Yeah, sugar is a big no no for cats. I’m making sure they won’t get any. Same with salt.
I follow the advice of the vet, but the vet said they didn’t know for certain. I’d rather have a specialist day they don’t know something than make something up. So that’s why I ask the internet. I prefer the vet’s advice over random internet people but I got replies backed by sources so I’m happy.
Thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it :)
Hey, I’m a specialist- but not in cats.
But I got curious and looked it up, from what I’m seeing, small amounts as a treat are “probably” fine- the top hits note that cats may have difficulty digesting the plant protein in soy milk.
This would likely be more problematic if they have large amounts. (Also it does some weird stuff to their hormones so it’s probably best to keep it as “occasional”)
Your vet is likely seeing the same things and assuming it’s not massive amounts and “probably fine” is a reasonable answer.
Just keep an eye on them. If they start having digestive problems, maybe try stopping for a while and then smaller amounts.
Thank you! I appreciate the research, awesome!
The only digestive problem there is, is the damn smell. I have 3 chemical warfare kitties.
But I’m going to keep it to a minimum, maybe switch it over to regular cat treats. Although they eat junk from everywhere. Walking trash cans they are. Vacuum cleaners. I can’t have trash inside my house and when they go outside they often return with scavenged waste from a neighbor. I do my best feeding them healthy food, but they are smart kitties willijg to do anything to get their paws on junk.
its probably not—they are cats and designed to eat small animals, not heavily processed plant products. They probably love it because they are mammals and we all instinctually crave protein juice.
Have you tried offering them any of the milk products specifically designed for cats? I’ve seen a powdered goat milk with added probiotics at my local pet store, there’s formula replacement for nursing kittens, and at least one other that I’ve seen.
Edit: Chewy seems to have quite a few “milk” products that are intended for cats: https://www.chewy.com/s?query=Milk&rh=PetType%3ACat
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how about oat milk instead for the kitties (i personally like it better then soy milk anyway)
https://www.catster.com/nutrition/can-cats-drink-oat-milk/
Cats can have oat milk and it’s generally safe for them to drink
I just gave them some of mine. Since I’m a vegan, I need a replacement for regular milk. Only soy milk is a real substitute as it’s the only plant based milk with protein, all the others are basically tasty water nutrician wise, plus whatever vitamins they added. For my cats, I think it’s better to just buy something made for cats instead.
Ah yes, as we all know every Lemmy user is also a moonlighting cat nutritionist. Glad you came and asked here, your vet probably doesn’t know what they’re talking about!
I mean, there’s a chance someone knows, right? We don’t all have to.
How do you differentiate between the countless anonymous users who know for certain one way or another? And why would you trust their opinion over that of your vet?
Edit: Stop booing me, I’m right.
No milk is good for cats.
They cannot digest it properly.
I know cats are lactose intolerant, yes. That’s why we’re talking about soy milk instead. Thanks anyway.
Learn the difference between what actual milk is and what soy “milk” is. They are not the same.
