Cartoons, comic books, stories…. cats are often associated with drinking from a saucer of milk. But the more we learn about cats and their needs, we realise that this perception is not a reflection of what is best for them in reality. In this article, we will have a closer look at why milk can cause gastrointestinal issues in your cat, and what other options you have to keep them well hydrated without the risk of an upset stomach.
What is Lactose Intolerance?
To fully digest and break down milk, one needs to be able to digest the sugar that is naturally found in milk and milk products, which is called lactose. To break down lactose, you need a specific enzyme which is called lactase. When an organism doesn’t make (enough) lactase, they will be unable to fully digest lactose and in turn have problems digesting the product. Lactose that doesn’t get digested will pass through the gastrointestinal tract and draw water with it, and additionally, bacteria in the colon will ferment the undigested sugars, which produces volatile fatty acids. This all will lead to gastrointestinal upset which can result in vomiting and diarrhoea, usually within eight to twelve hours.
Lactose Intolerance in Cats
When kittens are born, they have the lactase enzyme, after all, they need to be able to drink and digest the milk from their mother. When the kittens grow up and wean, many cats lose, or partially lose, the production of the lactase enzyme, and in turn develop problems with digesting lactose. Due to this, many adult cats are lactose intolerant, and can get gastrointestinal problems after ingesting dairy products such as cheese and milk.
But my cat drank milk/ate yogurt/cheese and was fine?
Not every cat is the same, and some will produce more of the lactase enzyme than others. Additionally, different dairy products contain different amounts of lactose, hence making it possible that a cat can tolerate certain foods containing lactose, while not others. Some foods like yoghurt are often also diluted, making them easier to digest, and when products are cultured the microorganisms have digested part of the lactose.
So why does my cat drink milk if it gives him an upset stomach?
Even though most cats get an upset stomach when consuming cheese or milk, most will not pass on eating or drinking it. Cats have a relatively poor sense of taste, but have a heightened sense of smell, and are specifically drawn to foods that smell of proteins and fats. Products like milk and cheese have a strong smell of protein and fat, making cats drawn to them. And even though their sense of taste is less developed, they still prefer the taste of food with high amounts of protein and at. So it’s advised to protect your cat and not provide them with said product, and find a healthier and more enjoyable option for a special treat.
Can kittens drink cow’s milk?
Even though kittens have the lactase enzyme, cow’s milk is totally unsuitable for them. Cow’s milk has high amounts of lactose, and a kitten will not have enough lactase to properly digest it. Additionally, proportions of nutrients in cow’s milk are not suitable for kittens either. When you need to supplement a kitten with milk, you will need to use a milk replacer made specifically for kittens.
How to Keep Your Cat Well Hydrated?
So what would be suitable options to get your cat to hydrate more when milk is off the table? Firstly, most cats like to drink from running water, as instinctively this is linked to a clean water source. At home, you could offer a running tap if the water is of drinking quality, or provide them with a water fountain. As a special liquid treat, you can add some flavouring to the water such as a low sodium broth.
Conclusion
Most cats are unable to properly digest lactose, hence making them lactose intolerant. Giving your cat products that contain lactose, such as cheese and milk can lead to gastrointestinal upset such as diarrhoea, and hence should not be given.
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