Can cats drink cow's milk? Is it good for them or, on the contrary, is it harmful? Without a doubt, these are some of the first questions that assail us when we decide to adopt a cat, regardless of its age. And the thing is, how many times have we seen precious felines enjoying a good bowl of milk on television or on the big screen? Well, in this article on our site we will talk about the digestive system of the animal, we will detail those cases in which it is possible to offer this food, how to do it and what type is more suitable. Can cats drink milk? Keep reading and discover the answer!
Milk and cats
Before indicating whether milk is good for cats or not, it is essential to talk about their digestive system and how the feline digests this food. As it happens with us humans, the digestive tract is constantly changing, modifying the production of certain enzymes depending on the diet that is followed, the amount of protein that is ingested, fats, sugars, etc. In this way, it is logical that these changes are also subject to the different stages of growth. In this sense, during the lactation period, infants produce a large amount of the enzyme lactase, which is responsible for digesting the lactose that makes up milk. As weaning progresses and milk intake is reduced, the puppy's digestive tract also decreases lactase production, leading in some cases to developing lactose intolerance.
This same process can also happen in humans, which is why the percentage of people who are lactose intolerant is so high. However, as we pointed out, not all cats are affected in such a radical way the production of the enzyme and, therefore, some of them have the ability to tolerate milk during adulthood. Especially those cats that after weaning continue to drink cow's milk, tend to continue generating lactase. However, even if they have the ability to digest lactose correctly, it should be noted that milk should not occupy the entire diet of the cat, later we will detail how to offer this food correctly. As the puppy grows, it is crucial to adapt its diet to introduce new nutrients, proteins, vitamins, etc., necessary for its proper development.
On the other hand, although the production of the enzyme lactase decreases, if the feline continues to generate a small amount, it is possible that it can tolerate milk, too, in small amounts. Likewise, dairy products such as cheese and yogurt, as they contain less lactose, can also be digested by the animal in moderate quantities.
So small cats can drink milk?
If by small cats we mean newborn puppies, the ideal is that they feed on their mother's milk. If, unfortunately, you are caring for a kitten that has been orphaned, we do not recommend giving cow's milk because the composition is different from mother's milk and therefore, the animal would not be receiving the nutrients, lipids and proteins that it needs. Currently we can have preparations that simulate the mother's milk of the cat, so for these cases we recommend going to the veterinarian to indicate the best according to the child's age. Also, don't miss our article on "How to feed a newborn kitten?".
Now, if the cat in question is still a puppy but has already been weaned, we can offer small amounts of milk to see if his body digests it correctly. If it does not present any problem, we can say that the small cat can drink milk from time to time, always as a complement and never as the main ingredient.
And adult cats, can they drink cow's milk?
As we have seen previously, most cats tend to progressively reduce lactase production after weaning. This means that, due to the deficiency of the enzyme or its complete disappearance, many of them can develop lactose intolerance Why does it happen? Very easy. The sugar that makes up milk, made up of glucose and galactose, is known as lactose. To digest it, the body naturally produces the enzyme lactase in the small intestine, which is responsible for breaking it down to transform it into simple sugars and, therefore, facilitate its absorption. When the enzyme cannot fulfill its function, the lactose passes to the large intestine without being digested, and is fermented at this point by the bacterial flora, developing a whole series of digestive problems. Thus, the symptoms of lactose intolerance in cats are as follows:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Gases
- Swelling of the abdominal area
So, if you notice these symptoms after offering your adult cat cow's milk, it is most likely an intolerance and, therefore, you should eliminate lactose from its diet. On the other hand, there is the lactose allergy, a pathology completely different from the previous one. While intolerance affects the digestive system, allergy involves the immune system, since said system develops hypersensitivity and emits an allergic reaction when it perceives that the allergen in question has penetrated the body. In this case, the allergen would be lactose, and the allergy would produce the following symptoms in the feline:
- Itching accompanied by hives
- Difficulty breathing
- Cough
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decrease in blood pressure
- Stomach pain that can lead to sudden meowing
If your feline suffers any of these reactions, don't hesitate and go to the vet immediately, especially if you notice that it is not breathing properly.
Finally, it is possible that the animal does not develop any of the above cases and, therefore, is capable of correctly digesting the lactose. In these cases, we can say that cats can drink cow's milk without problems, always controlling the amounts and as a supplement. To do this, we recommend providing a little milk and observing the animal to see if it can really drink it from time to time or, on the contrary, it should be completely eliminated from its diet. In the end, the most important thing is always to get to know our cat in order to understand him and learn how to offer him the best for him and his he alth.
How to give milk to a cat
As we have seen throughout the previous sections, if it seems that the cat does not suffer from any intolerance or allergy to lactose, we can offer him a little milk. In general, it is usually best to provide skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, although some cats tolerate whole milk without any difficulty. Therefore, we encourage you to try and observe your furry companion to see how he reacts and discover what type of milk he likes and suits him best.
On the other hand, if your feline has shown signs of intolerance but you would like to know if your cat can still drink milk, you should know that the best option is the lactose-free milk, both for these cases and for animals that do tolerate it. As with humans, lactose-free milk is easier to digest and therefore prevents the onset of problems related to the digestive tract.
Regarding the amount of milk recommended for cats, the truth is that we cannot establish a specific number of milliliters because, as we have verified, everything will depend on each case and the degree of tolerance of the animal. What we can assure you is that, regardless of whether you have the ability to digest lactose or not, abusing its consumption is not recommended An excess of milk in the diet can result in a too high percentage of calcium, a fact that can lead to the development of kidney stones, for example. In this way, we recommend establishing a pattern based on the needs of our feline and offering him milk twice a week, in small bowls. Of course, we emphasize, the measures and doses can vary as long as it does not harm the he alth of the animal.
And products derived from milk?
As we have commented in previous sections, if there is no allergy or intolerance to lactose, the cat can consume dairy products such as cheese or yogurt without problems. Of course, as with all processed foods, we must always keep in mind the quantities. In this sense, and although they are good for the animal, it is not advisable to abuse their consumption, ideally offering a couple of tablespoons of yogurt during breakfast, for example, or a piece of cheese as a reward. Of course, yogurt should be plain and unsweetened, and cheese should be smooth and creamy. Likewise, you can alternate the consumption of lactose-free milk with the intake of this type of dairy product to avoid offering both foods on the same day.
In fact, yogurt in particular is a highly beneficial food for cats due to its high content of probiotics In this regard, another A recommended product for the same reason is kefir, which has an even higher percentage and further helps the animal to regulate the intestinal flora, as well as the digestive system in general. Of course, we repeat, we do not recommend passing the two weekly doses, since these products should always act as a complement.
