Have you ever wondered if your cat can drink milk? This is a very common question among first-time pet parents about cat food, especially since that classic scene of a feline sipping a bowl of milk in movies and cartoons is something that is part of the collective imagination. However, it is important to understand the limitations of the feline organism so as not to offer somethingharmful to your pet's health - be it milk, or any other food.

Knowing what your cat can eat or not makes a lot of difference at these times. So, is it bad to give milk to cats, or is the drink released for these animals? To clear all doubts on the subject, we have gathered some important information below about the relationship between cats and milk. See below!

Can cats drink milk after all?

Contrary to what many people think, it is not recommended to offer milk to cats, in general. These animals even like the taste of the drink, which is why some owners end up giving in to the pet's wishes, but this is far from being the ideal diet. The explanation for this is simple: it is bad for cats to drink milk, and ingestion of the liquid can lead to intestinal disorders and vomiting.

The only exception is when it comes to feeding kittens, who need breastfeeding to develop and get all the nutrients they need for their health - especially colostrum, which is essential for strengthening the immune system. The difference is that in this case, the kitten consumes all this through feline breastfeeding. If he is without his mother for some reason, the cat candrink artificial milk instead, which contains a formula exclusively for these animals and closely resembles breast milk.

Is it true that cats can drink cow's milk from time to time?

Not at all. In fact, cow's milk, goat's milk or dairy products are highly contraindicated and should never be an option to be considered in the diet of cats. This is because the milk of herbivorous animals - such as cow, goat and sheep - is rich in sugars, but low in proteins and fats, which ends up being extremely harmful to the feline organism. Therefore, regardless of the age of theyour kitten, keep in mind that cat and cow's milk is a bad combination and can do a lot of harm to your friend!

Lactose intolerance is one of the reasons why it is bad to give milk to cats

As with humans, cats can also suffer from lactose intolerance. The problem is much more common than you might think, and develops when the animal reaches adulthood. The cat's body goes through several changes during this period, and one of them is the decrease in the enzyme lactase, responsible for digesting lactose. The low production of this enzyme, in turn, ends upleaving the pet intolerant and unable to consume milk and dairy products without getting sick.

Some of the main signs of the condition are:

• Cat with diarrhea
• Cat vomiting;
• Abdominal discomfort;

So, if you notice that your kitten has accidentally ingested some milk and soon after manifested these symptoms, it is very likely that he is lactose intolerant - which is why it is bad to give milk to cats. Another condition that can also manifest itself is food allergy, so the best thing to do is to seek help from a veterinarian to understand what your pet's case is.

Another important point is to pay attention to the professional's recommendations regarding the cat's diet: always offer quality food, plenty of water and snacks that are appropriate for your pet, avoiding excesses.