Cats like ice cream because they love the taste of fat in it. Generally, felines are unable to taste the sweetness of sugar food. So, that means your pet can’t taste the sweetness in ice cream. However, they can taste fats, and this creamy dessert is filled with them. So, it isn’t the sweetness that your pet is drawn to but the fat in it. Your pet can even get addicted if you indulge in feeding her more and more ice cream.
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Table of Contents
Why Do Cats Like Ice Cream So Much?
Cats like ice cream because they contain a lot of fat. According to Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, a scoop of ice cream can contain as much as 19g of fat. For this reason, cats like ice cream so much and enjoy eating them. But where does the fat in ice cream come from? The major ingredient used in making ice cream is milk. This irresistible dessert usually contains at least 10 percent milk fat. However, milk is one of the ingredients that makes ice cream unsafe for your pet. Felines are lactose intolerant and shouldn’t take dairy products.
Additionally, ice cream contains cream. About 35 percent of heavy cream is fat whereas, whipping cream contains around 30 percent. Besides, chocolate ice cream contains cocoa. Most commercially available cocoa powders contain up to 10-25 percent fat. But a warning: Never give your cat chocolate ice cream to eat. Cocoa contains theobromine, a compound that is toxic to felines.
An article published by the National Library of Medicine explains that felines cannot taste sugar because they don’t have sweet taste receptors. Milk, cream, and cocoa are the ingredients responsible for the fat content of ice cream, and these ingredients that are making cats like ice cream so much.
Felines cannot taste sugar because they don’t have sweet taste receptors. Milk, cream, and cocoa are the ingredients responsible for the fat content of ice cream, and these ingredients that are making cats like ice cream so much.
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What Kind Of Ice Cream Can Cats Have?
Whatever ice cream your cat is having should be lactose and sugar-free. Some brands make commercially available ice cream for cats. Frosty Paws makes ice cream for cats. However, check the label and confirm that the dessert does not contain milk before buying. Additionally, you can make your own homemade ice cream without milk and sugar. You can get lactose free milk like Catsip or Catsure to make your pet ice cream. And remember, never use cocoa in making any dessert for your pet.
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Is It Ok For Cats To Eat Ice Cream?
Cats love the taste of ice cream, but it’s not ok for them to eat this dessert. Ice cream is unhealthy and unsafe for cats to eat because they contain lactose and sugar. Felines cannot ingest lactose because they don’t have enough enzymes to digest them. So, it’s essential for them to stay away from all dairy products, including ice cream. If your cat eats ice cream, she can have diarrhea and other GI problems.
Besides, Ice Cream contains a lot of sugar. Felines are carnivores. There GI tract is designed to digest meat. They are not built to digest artificial sugar. Therefore, your pet shouldn’t eat sweetened food including this frozen dessert. Because of the artificial sugar content in them, you might notice diarrhea and even vomiting when your cat eats ice cream. Besides, sugar can cause health issues such as diabetes, obesity, yeast infection, dental problems, etc. So, you shouldn’t give ice cream to your cat unless it is made especially for them. But check the label of such a special product and confirm that it contains no dairy products or sugar.
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Can Ice Cream Kill A Cat?
Ice cream cannot kill your cat. However, your cat can experience other health issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and gassiness. This makes it necessary to abstain from giving your pet this dessert. However, your cat can die from eating chocolate ice cream. That is because of the presence of theobromine in it. In any case, your pet must either have consumed a lot of the dessert, or she is of a small size to have died from eating it. Likewise, cats can die from eating coffee ice cream. Coffee contains both caffeine and theobromine which are toxic to your cat. Both chocolate and coffee ice cream can kill your cat. So, never feed both to your pet.
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Related Questions
Can Cats Taste Sweet?
No, cats can’t taste sweet. Cats have 480 taste receptors. However, they have no taste receptor. Felines are carnivores, and their taste buds are designed for meat which is their biologically appropriate food. Sweet taste mostly comes from carbs and fruits. Therefore, your pet cannot taste the sweetness in ice cream, candies, and other sweetened food. You should feed your pet more animal products than carbs. Besides, sugar is unhealthy for your pet and she should have any sweetened food.
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How To Make Frozen Cats Treats?
Cats find frozen treats delicious and irresistible. You can make some homemade frozen treats for your cat. Some treats to make for your pet are popsicles and frozen tuna cubes. To make popsicles for your pet, mix 5 tablespoons of peanut butter with half a mashed ripe banana, some water and mix together. Freeze in an ice cube tray and serve to your cat. You can also make some frozen tuna cubes for your pet. Mix a tin of tuna with a half cup of water. Freeze in an ice cube tray and serve to your pet.
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Final thoughts
Ice cream is a delicious dessert. So, don’t blame your cat if she enjoys this dessert too. Unfortunately, ice cream is not healthy for your pet. Remember that your cat cannot ingest dairy products, cocoa, and sugar. Therefore, your pet shouldn’t eat it at all unless it is made especially for cats. If your pet exhibits any symptoms after eating ice cream, consult a veterinarian. And if it is chocolate ice cream she ate, make sure to take note of the quantity she consumed. Such information is needed by the veterinarian.
