Can Cats Drink Milk?
If you've ever seen a cat in a children's book, you're probably curious, "Can cats drink milk?" Veterinarians and cat experts have formally debunked the age-old myth that milk and cats go together. Milk is bad for your cat's stomach and digestive system, regardless of how tasty it is to them. Lactose intolerance affects the majority of cats.
Is milk bad for cats?
Some cats, like humans, have trouble digesting lactose, a milk sugar found in dairy. The only time in a cat's life when its body has enough of the enzyme lactase to digest lactose properly is when it is born and in its early years. This allows the cat to drink its mother's milk. Following that, lactase production decreases, potentially leading to increased digestive problems.
Dr. Gary Richter, a veterinary health expert with Rover, says, "Even though some cats can tolerate milk and seem to enjoy it, cow's milk is just not good for cats." “Dairy milk is unnecessary for cats, and the risks far outweigh the benefits.”
What happens when cats drink milk?
Dr. Richter explains that when a cat drinks milk, the undigested lactose stays in the intestines rather than passing into the bloodstream and ferments. “Whole, 2%, and skim cow's milk can all contribute unhealthy fat levels to your cat's diet.” Drinking milk can cause gastrointestinal problems such as the upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight, abdominal pain and discomfort, and behavior changes such as increased scratching in cats because they lack the enzyme needed to digest lactose.
Again, some cats, like humans, have no trouble digesting milk. Regardless, since cow's milk has no nutritional value for cats, most veterinarians recommend other options.
When do cats stop drinking their mother’s milk?
“After they are born, cats eat their mother's milk. According to Dr. Richter, “the only time in a cat's life when their body has enough of the enzyme lactase to digest lactose properly is at birth and during the first 12 weeks of their life.” “Kittens will wean themselves off their mother's milk and begin eating solid food once their teeth have grown in.”
What should your cat be drinking instead?
“Cats require a lot of water,” Leasa Greer, Solid Gold Pet's Manager of Nutrition & Regulatory Affairs, told Reader's Digest. “In cats, water is critical for promoting optimal organ function. Feeding your cat wet canned food is a wonderful way to ensure that he or she has enough water. Because cats dislike drinking water, wet food is an excellent way to keep them hydrated.” Now that you know the answer to the question, "Can cat drink milk?" is "no," make sure you don't make any of these other perilous cat-owning mistakes. In addition to milk, there are a lot of human foods you shouldn't give to your cat.
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