As if that weren’t enough, many cats are lactose intolerant, which means they’re unable to digest dairy products properly. For these felines, eating ice-cream can cause digestive problems like bloating and diarrhea. The bottom line: No ice cream for your kitty. Sorry.
Can cats eat ice cream? Five things that can go wrong!
Ice cream is acceptable for cats to eat as long as it is served in tiny portions. Average-sized breeds such as Persians and Siamese should not eat more than one teaspoon of ice cream at a time, advise nutritionists. Larger breeds, like Maine Coons or Ragdolls, can eat up to two teaspoons without risk. Giving cats ice cream carries the following risks, so don’t feed the treat more frequently than once a month:
- Gastrointestinal episodes
- Dairy allergy
- Brain freeze
- Nutritional imbalance
- Fussy eating habits
When you bite into something alluring and it’s plastic, that’s betrayal. I’m done posing, hooman. Can I get some real nom-noms now?.
Can ice cream cause a nutritional imbalance in felines?
The following table lists the fundamental nutritional properties of ice cream:
Nutritional markers |
Approximate amount per 100 grams |
Fat |
11 grams |
Protein |
3.5 grams |
Carbs (including sugar) |
24 grams |
Cholesterol |
44 milligrams |
Sodium |
80 milligrams |
Calories |
207 calories |
These values indicate that cats who consume excessive amounts of ice cream may experience an overdose of:
Can Cats Eat Ice Cream?
The simple answer to this question is no. Since cats are lactose intolerant, cream, which is the main ingredient in ice cream, shouldn’t be consumed. Another important component is sugar, which is unhealthy for both humans and cats.
Moreover, a lot of ice creams contain extra ingredients, some of which are poisonous to cats. Some of the more popular and potentially harmful ice cream flavorings to be wary of are rum and raisins, chocolate, and coffee. Cats are poisoned by the sweetener xylitol, which is sometimes found in sugar-free ice cream.
What about basic flavors? Although cats won’t become toxic from vanilla ice cream, you shouldn’t give it to them because of the dairy and sugar content. Ice cream contains a lot of calories, which can contribute to obesity even if you stay away from all of the dangerous ingredients.
FAQ
Is it OK for a cat to eat ice cream?
Can cats have a little lick of ice cream?
Are cats allergic to vanilla ice cream?
Why does my cat love ice cream?