Can cats have chocolate ice cream? It is an unsolvable dilemma faced by most preserved cat parents who find it very challenging to enjoy a nice snack without their feline friends. Chocolate ice cream can be a very good weekend-snack for humans for many reasons like it’s vitamin-rich content, energy supply through all day, bone growth and prosper, and of course, its irresistible taste, but does that apply to cats? Can cats have chocolate ice cream?
Are Cats Lactose Intolerant?
Before jumping straightforward into, can cats have chocolate ice cream’s answer, let’s look at the cats-milk equation for a little bit to see if it’s original or fabricated!
Cats and milk have been linked together for ages. Although this can be right at birth when the vitamins and minerals cats need to grow can be found in milk, once the breastfeeding period is over, milk won’t be a recommendation for felines anymore. Here is why.
At birth, cats do have an enzyme called lactase; lactase breaks down the lactose found in milk so that felines can easily digest it.
Lactase production in cats’ body stops once the breastfeeding period is done. Cats will have a hard time digesting lactose, which will initialize a set of gastrointestinal problems starting from simple stomach pain to vomiting and diarrhea, and so on. So, older cats are actually lactose intolerant.
Why Do Cats Like Ice Cream?
Sweetness isn’t the only reason why ice cream has been craved by humankind for ages. The dairy product’s freshness and mood-enhancing capability are also among the apparent reasons for its popularity. There is no wonder why cats beg for some lick or two. After all, felines and humans have always shared the same interests.
Add to the above reasons, and cats are naturally drawn to dairy products (duh!) and foods rich with high fat and carbohydrate levels.
“Cats are connoisseurs of comfort.” –James Herriot
Should I Give My Feline Ice Cream?
Let’s see if ice cream as general is allowed for cats before we answer the “can cats have chocolate ice cream?” dilemma.
You can fulfill your cat’s continuous need for pleasure with a spoonful of ice cream as a treat occasionally. No matter how much teary-eyes you got from your feline friend, you can’t allow this delicious snack to be a usual thing for your pet.
Daily ice cream consumption won’t kill your cat, but it can cause many undesired digestive problems like diarrhea and abdominal changes and problems.
What About Diary-Free Ice Cream?
“Great! It’s dairy-free, my kitty, and I could share a snack at last!” Unfortunately, that can’t be further from the truth. Sorry to be the one who brings it up to you, but the dairy-free isn’t always a signature for cat-friendly like most people believe.
While dairy-free ice cream doesn’t have the stomach trouble-initializer lactose, it contains other unhealthy fats that your feline friend’s digestive system doesn’t respond well to. For instance, the vegetable oil found in most ice creams can be the reason for tummy upset in kitties.
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Okay, Can I Share Fat-Free Ice Cream With My Cat?
Some ice cream brands use fat alternatives such as supplemental fiber and gum to produce fat-free ice cream. Nevertheless, this also won’t work for your feline friend as these supplements can pose similar risks like the ones caused by fats.
Fat role in ice cream production gives it the creaminess and smoothness it needs to look captivating and catchy. This same effect can be done by a popular fat-alternative known as Guar gum.
The problem with guar gum presence in ice cream is that it can have anti-digestion effects. For instance, it can block the digestion of protein, which can be a significant health issue for cats.
Can Cats Have Chocolate Ice Cream? It’s All About The Chocolate!
The simple answer to the question, can cats have chocolate ice cream? It is NO! You can give your cat vanilla or strawberry ice cream as a mood-enhancer from time to time (as a treat only), but chocolate ice cream isn’t just a flavor change. It’s a cat-killing snack!
Theobromine, theophylline, and caffeine are the main reasons cats shouldn’t be anywhere near chocolate. Theobromine (also known as xantheose) is a toxic chemical for cats. Besides chocolate, it can also be found in the kola nut and the tea plant’s leaves. You can read more about chocolate for cats here.
Ice Cream “Brain-Freeze” In Cats
Ice cream brain freeze (also referred to as ice cream headache) is a well-known condition occurring after consuming ice cream fast (it can also happen when eating or drinking something cold).
Cats usually experience slight pain when consuming cold foods. It’s nothing to worry about, and it’s undoubtedly won’t pose a major health risk like toxic chemicals, and rich fat content will do.
The Bottom Line
After answering the question, can cats have chocolate ice cream? You now have comprehensive knowledge about Icecream for cats. It’s nice to share food with felines, but you have to be cautious before serving your cat any dairy products, especially those mixed with chocolate. This milk-chocolate combination can be so enticing and tempting for your cat. Nevertheless, it would be best if you were the rule-maker in the house, don’t let your passionate-self be the one making decisions and allowing ice creams.
Finally, I hope you found this article useful and informative enough to answer the question, can cats have chocolate ice cream?
Let me know your answer down below. Do you have more information about Chocolate Ice cream for cats?
Also, If you have any other questions or different opinions about it, leave a comment below.
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