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Cats and Milk?
- Thread starter ennna
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- Sep 10, 2005
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I am not sure, but I have always heard that whole milk will upset their stomachs, and that if you give it to them dilute it with water. Get some other opinions because this is just what I heard. I haven't had any kittens and my grown cats don't get milk.
I have read that most adult cats are lactose-intolerant, but kittens might be okay with it.
You might want to post in the "health" forum...someone over there might know a bit more.
You might want to post in the "health" forum...someone over there might know a bit more.
That is correctOriginally Posted by Zoe'n'MissKitty
I have read that most adult cats are lactose-intolerant, but kittens might be okay with it.
You might want to post in the "health" forum...someone over there might know a bit more.
Don't feed your cats cow milk! Your local supermarket should sell pet milk!
Cats are lactose intolerant...you can try lactaid, the milk for humans who are lactose-intolerant, or any of the "for cats" milk products such as Catsip.
You can, if you wish, also try goat's milk. Age of the cat makes no difference, I would not give this to kittens or adults.
You can, if you wish, also try goat's milk. Age of the cat makes no difference, I would not give this to kittens or adults.
SOME cats are lactose intolerant, just as SOME people are lactose intolerant. Few human children are lactose intolerant. As people age, more and more of them become lactose intolerant (more so with some ethnic groupls than others), and the same thing happens with cats, only apparently more so. But also, just like people, they may be able to tolerate small amounts of milk, even if they can't handle a large amount. (I know that I can handle about two tablespoons of milk without taking a Lact-Aid, but if I tried half a cup of it, I'd be in misery.) This probably explains why you get such varying opinions from people. If cats are lactose intolerant, it will show up as diarrhea.
My Purdy is lactose intolerant, but Red Cat is not. At least he didn't used to be, so I used to give him milk as a treat occasionally. However, he has developed so many allergies, that in the past couple of years, I've avoided giving him most treats. Occasionally I do give him a bit of unflavored yogurt, which is often better handled.
My Purdy is lactose intolerant, but Red Cat is not. At least he didn't used to be, so I used to give him milk as a treat occasionally. However, he has developed so many allergies, that in the past couple of years, I've avoided giving him most treats. Occasionally I do give him a bit of unflavored yogurt, which is often better handled.
We will have to agree to disagree
Many human babies can not tolerate milk, end up on soy milk etc. Having dealt with kitten diarrhea, and not knowing which kitten will grow up to be a cat who can handle milk, I see no reason to risk it.
Kittens tracking through the ick..no thanks!
Kittens tracking through the ick..no thanks!
If you've given your cat milk and he doesn't get diarrhea from it, then it is okay to keep giving a little as a treat. But a little means a little - a couple of tablespoons at most, and not every day.
The cat milks like Catsip and Cat Milk that you can get at the store are lactose reduced and fortified with taurine so they are more suited for cats. These are better to give even if your cat does fine with regular milk.
Of course, a cat always needs access to fresh water. Milk is a treat, not a beverage!
The cat milks like Catsip and Cat Milk that you can get at the store are lactose reduced and fortified with taurine so they are more suited for cats. These are better to give even if your cat does fine with regular milk.
Of course, a cat always needs access to fresh water. Milk is a treat, not a beverage!
