Have you recently discovered horchata and are wondering if cats can drink it?
It’s normal to consider sharing your foods and drinks with your pets, but the safety of the foods or beverages is very important which less us to wonder: can cats drink horchata?
When it comes to cats and human food, the answer is more complex. In order to determine if horchata is suitable for your cat, you have to understand what horchata is and its ingredients.
In this article, you will find out in detail what horchata is and see if it’s safe for your furry friend. So, keep reading.
What is horchata?
Horchata is a diary-free drink made of soaked grains, nuts, and seeds. It is blended, and the mixture is strained using a sieve or a cloth to get a smooth drink.
It is a plant-based beverage but sometimes contains animal milk.
Although it was originally made out of barley in Spain, it has variations in different regional forms. The most common variation is from Mexico, which primarily uses rice as its base.
It can be sweetened with sugar or milk, and flavors such as cinnamon and vanilla extract can be added. You can also enhance it by adding edible flowers and fruits.
Can cats drink horchata?
Horchata is a nutrient-packed plant-based drink that your cat could occasionally have a cup of as a treat, receiving all the nourishment it provides.
Horchata has certain advantages, but it should be used as something other than your cat’s main source of nutrients.
It is advisable to give your cat home-made horchata prepared with cat-friendly ingredients. Store-bought horchata may include unnatural chemicals or harmful preservatives that can affect your cat’s health, causing digestive issues and allergies.
Uncooked Rice a Problem?
Uncooked rice is hard to digest and can lead to digestion issues such as constipation, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Uncooked rice also contains a natural pesticide known as lectin, which can lead to vomiting and diarrhoea when ingested in large quantities.
Uncooked rice also has high arsenic content. However, when the rice is soaked for long or cooked, the arsenic content reduces greatly.
Is horchata good for dogs?
Horchata can be good for dogs as an occasionally as a treat, depending on how it is made. Commercially made horchata usually contains sweeteners, toxic preservatives, and chemical flavours that can be harmful to dogs.
Sometimes, sugar is used in horchata as a sweetener, which could lead to breathing difficulties, obesity, and joint problems.
Therefore, veterinarians usually recommend homemade horchata using dog-friendly ingredients to ensure your dog’s health and safety.
Here are Nutritional benefits of Horchata for cats
- Boost Energy: The little sugar in homemade horchata gives your cat an energy boost.
- Hydration: Horchata keeps your cat feeling hydrated, especially after an intense exercise or during the hot summer.
Can kittens drink horchata?
Kittens are required to be nursed by their mothers for 4–5 weeks of age, while orphaned kittens need kitten formula until they are weaned.
This provides the necessary antibodies to protect the kittens and help fight infections. Kittens can only drink horchata after they transition to adult cat food.
Homemade horchata recipes that are cat-friendly
Since store-bought horchata usually contains ingredients that are harmful to cats, it is necessary to create a cat-friendly homemade recipe to safeguard your cat’s health.
Here is a recipe that you can adapt for your cat:
Ingredients:
• ½ cup of cooked plain rice
• 4 cups of water
• Ice cubes (optional)
• A few drops of vanilla (pure vanilla extract)
• ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons of pure honey (no additives for sweetness)
Directions:
1. Cook plain rice (do not add any seasonings such as salt, oils, or spice).
2. Let it cool for some minutes.
3. Blend the cooled rice, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and pure honey.
4. Refrigerate the mixture for 8 hours in a container.
5. Then, serve with or without ice cubes.
Safe alternative drinks for your cats
Here are some safe, tasty, and refreshing horchata alternatives for cats:
Freshwater
Clean, fresh water is highly recommended for cats, even if they prefer muddy water or stagnant ponds. Water is the major liquid cats really need.
Cantaloupe water
Cantaloupe water contains healthy vitamins for cats and is a refreshing drink during the summer. It is a great way to keep cats hydrated.
Broth
Low-sodium broths that are seasoning-free are healthy alternatives, but you need to ensure that they are cooked with safe ingredients and are pet-friendly. It is, therefore, recommended that you get the broth from your local pet store or, alternatively, prepare a homemade bone broth.
Tuna Juice
Since cats are highly attracted to the smell of fish and meat, tuna juice is generally safe to give your cat as a treat. However, veterinarians do not recommend giving tuna juice to cats if you buy tuna in oil or brine, as these can lead to serious stomach upset in cats due to their high sodium content. Therefore, cats should only drink tuna juice from canned tuna in spring water.
Goat milk
Goat milk is a safer alternative for cats compared to cow milk due to the presence of smaller casein curds and fat, thereby making it easier to digest. Always purchase your cat’s goat milk from a pet food store or brand that makes its goat milk formula.
This precaution is to ensure that the goat milk has the right proportion of nutrients without any additives. Also, ensure that you feed your cat goat milk in small quantities and occasionally to prevent unwanted digestive side effects in your cat.
These are some of the horchata alternatives that are safe for cats. You could also get creative and put some cat-safe ingredients in your pantry together to form a recipe that your cat would love.
Final Thoughts
Cats can have horchata, but it should be prepared with cat-friendly ingredients, such as a little honey or maple syrup, instead of sugar or sweeteners, as cats don’t have the receptors to taste sugar.
Also, cooked rice is a preferable and healthier alternative to soaked rice, as boiling reduces the arsenic levels in the rice.