Cats are mostly intolerant towards lactose. (Photo credit: Pixabay)
Even though the concept of pairing cats with milk has been going on for centuries, in reality, it is not ideal to feed cats with milk. Surprised? Yeah, it is information that defies and overturns a conventional viewpoint.
New Delhi: Every year on June 1, World Milk Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the many benefits milk has and also to promote it as a global food. Milk contains nutrients and minerals which are very much important for our health. Now, normally, other than us drinking milk, we tend to associate it with cats. Most of us, whenever we see cats, a breed of animal which are inevitably cute, we have this great urge to feed them milk. Even though the concept of pairing cats with milk has been going on for centuries, in reality, it is not ideal to feed cats with milk. Surprised? Yeah, it is information that defies and overturns a conventional viewpoint.
Is milk good for your feline friend?
No, it is not. Cats cannot have cows’ milk, as they are mostly intolerant towards lactose. Why? Because cats lack the enzyme (lactase) in their intestines to digest the sugar present in milk (lactose). If a cat drinks cows’ milk, it can start vomiting, get diarrhoea and stomach pain from drinking it, essentially what a human having lactose intolerance faces.
Also, the milk of cows tends to be full of fat, a reason behind its great taste. But, if you give your cat a saucer of milk to drink, it means you are basically giving it a full pizza of 12 inches to eat or you are eating it after having your meal. You shouldn’t have it, right? Yeah, same with the cat.
Can you give cat milk?
In supermarkets and pet shops, you will find special milk made for cats which has much less amount of lactose or no lactose at all. It won’t make your cat sick, but it will still have high-fat content. Do you want your cat to get too fat?
You can choose to treat your cat occasionally with milk, but count the additional calories when you feed them regularly. Cat milk is not a proper meal for cats, so your pet friend may end up consuming less important vitamins and nutrients than what they get from their daily diet.
What can your cat drink?
Plain water is fine, as it will keep your pet healthy and hydrated. Refresh the water in the bowl frequently and clean them regularly. Cats do not generally like their food and water bowls to be placed together, so you have to keep that in mind as well.
