Why Cats Can't Drink Milk: The Unfortunate Truth

Can Cats Drink Milk?

Firstly, let's consider the symptoms of diarrhea. Milk contains lactose, and if a cat lacks the enzyme lactase to break it down, it can lead to indigestion and diarrhea. However, this isn't exclusive to milk; human milk, goat milk, dog milk, and even cat milk from mammals all contain lactose.

Why didn't kittens experience diarrhea when they first drank their mother's milk? Most cats are lactose intolerant, but during the nursing period or in their early stages, their intestines can produce lactase to break down lactose into galactose and glucose. As they grow older and switch to cat food or meat, the activity of the lactase enzyme decreases further, eventually leading to the inability to digest all lactose and the onset of diarrhea symptoms.

This is similar to some people who experience diarrhea after drinking milk; it's a matter of individual differences. Some have higher lactase enzyme activity, while others have lower activity, and cats are no different. During the nursing period, kittens naturally consume milk that contains lactose. During this stage, introducing milk that is the same temperature as the mother's milk is not harmful. Cold milk can cause gastrointestinal spasms. In my experience with breeding kittens, most did not suffer from diarrhea when given milk during the nursing period, as long as they were not allergic to the milk protein.

What about cats after weaning? Can they still have milk?

Absolutely, they can. If a cat has been drinking milk since weaning, there's no issue. They're accustomed to it, and their intestinal lactase activity should be fine. For cats that haven't been fed milk before, it's important to follow a gradual introduction. Start with a spoonful, observe the cat's reaction, and then gradually increase the amount, allowing time to cultivate the lactase enzyme activity.

Milk is primarily composed of protein, fat, and lactose. Many cats are lactose intolerant, and giving them a lot of milk at once can easily lead to severe diarrhea. Not all cats are intolerant to milk, so some may drink it without any adverse effects. However, since cats' intestines are usually quite delicate, even cats that can tolerate milk are not recommended to consume large amounts of milk!

If you're unsure whether your cat can drink milk, start with a small amount during the first feeding. If the cat shows no adverse reactions, you can gradually increase the amount over time for safer observation.

What to Do If a Cat Has Diarrhea After Drinking Milk

If a cat has diarrhea after drinking milk but it's not severe, just soft stools, you can initially withhold food for half a day and then feed them probiotics or a loperamide tablet to stop the diarrhea. After 12 hours, you can resume their regular diet.

If the diarrhea is severe, with watery excrement, it's important to take the cat to a veterinarian immediately. Treatment may include antidiarrheal medication, fluid replacement, and preventing dehydration. After treatment, the cat should be given probiotics for a few days to help with recovery.

Some owners mistakenly overfeed their cats with milk, which is not a proper practice. If your cat has diarrhea from drinking milk but still craves it, consider purchasing pet formula or goat milk, which are less allergenic and safer for cats.