Cats should only really drink one thing to stay hydrated - water. Despite popular belief, milk is not good for cats and it’s best to steer clear of dairy. Find out why milk is bad for cats and more with our guide. Can cats drink milk? The image of a cat happily lapping up milk is such a common one that many people don’t even question it. But it may surprise you to learn that sipping at cows’ milk is actually detrimental to their health, no matter how much they make like the taste of it. Ideally, cats should only be given water to drink. However, it’s important for your cat to stay properly hydrated, especially if they have other health problems such as kidney disease. Some individuals are really not keen on the taste of water, but there are a few tricks you can try to encourage increased water intake. Read on for our tips. Can cats drink milk?Is milk bad for cats? Yes – most cats are lactose intolerant, and consuming dairy products can lead to diarrhoea and vomiting. There are some specially designed cat milk options available, which are more suitable and contain reduced lactose. However, these should only be fed in moderation. Kittens will drink their mother’s milk for the first few weeks of life, or a specially designed ‘kitten formula milk’ if necessary. However, they will be fully weaned by around 8-9 weeks of age. Kittens have an enzyme in their stomachs that allows them to break down lactose from their mother’s milk, but adult cats don’t have this enzyme and lose the ability to digest milk sugars. Instead, the lactose in the milk may cause an upset stomach when it begins to ferment. Why do cats like milk?Cats love the taste of milk because it is high in fat. They will often choose to drink it even if it results in an upset stomach. If your cat is fed high-quality, balanced diet they do not need the extra fat from drinking milk, no matter how much they like it. If your cat has drunk some milk, watch them for any signs of vomiting or diarrhoea and contact your vet if you are concerned. What do kittens drink?Young kittens will drink their mother’s milk until they are weaned. There should also be free access to fresh water for their mother and kittens will start to lap this too. From around 4 weeks of age, they will start to explore solid food and drink more water alongside their mother’s milk. Can cats drink milk if they’re orphaned?If you are hand-rearing an orphan kitten, or they can’t drink their mother’s milk for any other reason, you should feed them special ‘kitten formula milk’. You shouldn’t use normal milk from another species as it will not contain the right balance of nutrients for their development. The first milk that a mother produces is called colostrum. This is high in antibodies and helps to pass on some immunity to her kittens. If a kitten is unable to drink colostrum from their mother you should get advice from your vet. When should you start giving kittens water? Kittens will generally begin to wean around three to four weeks of age, at which point it’s time to start giving them a little solid food. At the same time, you should provide them with fresh, clean drinking water in a shallow bowl. What do cats drink? Adult cats only need to drink water as part of a healthy, balanced diet. How much they drink depends on several factors, including their age, size, and whether they eat wet or dry food. You can find out more about how much your cat needs to drink with our guide. If your cat has an underlying health problem such as chronic kidney disease, it is particularly important that they stay hydrated. If your cat will not drink fresh water, then you can try boiling some plain chicken breast or white fish and give your cat the cooking liquid to tempt them. This should not contain any salt or oil. You can also ask your vet whether oral rehydration fluids would be suitable. These are often meaty flavoured and can be more popular than plain water. Another option may be a pet drinking-fountain as some cats prefer these to water bowls. If you decide to give your feline friend ‘cat milk’ from the pet shop as a treat, ensure they are still enjoying a balanced and healthy diet and that their treat is part of their daily food allowance.The most important thing to remember is that fresh, clean water should be available to your cat and weaning (or weaned) kitten at all times.

Find the perfect name for your ball of fur. We put together the finest selection of white cat names for you to choose from. Who can resist the soft, snowy coat of a pure white kitty? If you've already fallen for the pristine beauty of a white cat and getting ready to bring home the new ball of fur, you're probably seeking inspiration for someone to give you a name worthy of such a stunning addition to the family. Snowy and Snowball might be obvious choices, but there are tonnes of more unusual choices out there. That's why we've compiled a list of the top 10 white cat names, each name ready to spark that 'aha' moment once you finally find the perfect match. 1. Casper: the friendliest white cat nameIf your cat is the cuddly, loving kind, here is a white cat name with a friendly ring to it. And if they like to go exploring on their own, making themselves 'invisible' for hours, what other white cat name even comes close to this brilliant choice? Casper the friendly ghost has warmed hearts across generations and his name is only suitable for a cat ready to do just that all over again. 2. Frosty: is it the colour or the personalityFor those veritable feline ice queens that take a little time to warm to new people, Frosty is the white cat name you've been looking for. You can't go wrong with a name matching both the colour and the personality of your new companion at the same time. 3. Elsa: royal inspiration for an elegant kittenThere are some white kitties that exude royalty vibes. If yours is the one to effortlessly move around and truly own the house and everything in it, you need some royal inspiration from Frozen. Elsa the Disney princess of ice and snow is right up your cat's alley.4. Duchess: the classy white cat name Another Disney favourite is the classy white cat Duchess from the animated movie The Aristocats. For all those elegant, pampered felines out there, this is the white cat name to go for.Timeless and beautiful, Duchess is one of the all-time favourites. 5. Flower: a clever white cat nameIf you're game for a bit of word-play, why not go for a quirky white cat name well-loved by both cats and their owners. Flower (a homonym for 'flour') might just be the right fit. Start calling your cat by this name and if it makes sense to both of you, congratulations - you've got a companion that shares your sense of humour! 6. Boo: for Halloween-ready catsAnother idea from the witty category of white cat names, this is a short, snappy one but full of warmth and affection. For felines that like to sneak around before making a sudden appearance, Boo is just the right name a surprising white cat. As an extra bonus, Halloween will instantly become the favourite time of year for both of you - you'd better start looking for a matching ghost costume! 7. Khaleesi: the pop culture-inspired white cat nameGame of Thrones has already gone down in history as one of the best TV shows ever. So what if there is only one dragon queen? There is no one better to pull off such a cool name than a white cat. If you love it, go for it! 8. Dumbledore: capture the magic of a white kittyHere is another beloved white-haired character you can draw inspiration from. If you feel like your white cat can see right into your soul and has a wisdom beyond their years, this slick magic is worthy of a wizard's name. Dumbledore from the Harry Potter franchise might just be the one. 9. Bunny: the cutest white cat nameIf your white cat reminds you of the other white cuteness in the animal kingdom, who are we to stand in the way of a perfectly matched white cat name?Sure, you might raise a few eyebrows and a short moment of confusion when you ask friends to meet your Bunny and a cat pops up, but if this warm-hearted moniker totally fits their personality, they better get used to it! 10. Stormy: a personality match for your feline friendFor temperamental and dramatic cats with lots of personality, Stormy is the perfect name. Capturing all the sense of a flash of bright white lightning, this name is ideal for cats who move quickly throughout the house. We hope our ideas have given you plenty of inspiration for an awesome white cat name. If you still find it difficult to settle on one, our advice is try not to overthink it. Why not ask your kitten? Try out a few options, start calling them by a few different names and see which one they respond to. Soon enough they'll let you know what their favourite name is so you can finally start writing the caption to your first picture together. If you're thinking of getting a new cat, read our advice on adopting a cat and get our checklist on things you need for your new arrival.