Can cat drink milk? And what kind of milk can cats drink?
Coming to this article, you are ready to be a cat lover and own a very cute cat. The article will tell you some information about whether your pet cat likes to drink milk? and what kind of milk should you choose for your pet cat to enjoy.
Can cats drink milk?
Cats can drink milk but not any type of milk can be given to cats - Veterinarians also do not recommend giving milk to cats.
But cats love to drink milk, we often drink cups of milk that you might forget after morning. You should be careful with your pet cat as not all milk is suitable for cats some of us can have adverse effects on the cat's health.
The best way to know if your cat is suitable for drinking a certain type of milk is to give your cat a small drop of milk each time, then monitor the cat's health within 12 hours. If during the monitoring process, you do not see signs of digestive disorders, you can give your cat a larger amount of milk, but it should not be too often because the composition of milk does not contain essential nutrients. what cats need.
So, if you want to give your cat milk, only a very small amount of milk should be provided in the cat's meal. Milk is not an essential part of a cat's diet and especially should not be given to kittens that have just been weaned.
Is milk good for cats?
Cats can absorb most nutrients from the cat food you buy on the market combined with water. And milk is not an essential part of a cat's menu. Cats don't need it - cats just love it, cats enjoy the high fat content of milk.
Researchers have shown that drinking milk is like a relaxing behavior for cats, just like they are being petted and cuddled by you. In other words, the act of licking milk brings joy to the cat, it becomes a habit for the cat and stimulates the cat to use milk whenever the opportunity arises. :D
Is milk bad for cats?
Veterinarians have recommended that although milk brings a sense of relaxation to cats. But it has never been a really necessary thing for cats, it directly affects the weak digestive system of cats.
Each cat species is a different individual and has a different way of absorbing milk. But this does not mean that any type of cat can drink milk. Cats that drink milk or dairy products may experience gastrointestinal symptoms including: Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Additionally, research shows that giving milk to cats as part of a long-term diet can lead to negative effects on longevity, reproduction, bone structure, and growth. So, in general, milk is not suitable for cats.
Cats are lactose intolerant?
Like most adult mammals, cats cannot process milk sugar (lactose). Lactose is a natural sugar found in milk and dairy products.
This means that cats lack an enzyme, called lactase, which is needed to digest lactose. So the lactose remains in the digestive system and begins to ferment, causing stomach upset.
Kittens make lactase and can actually process the lactose in milk. But milk doesn't provide the proteins, antibodies, and vitamins that growing cats need. This means that giving the kittens formula (not the mother's milk) can harm their development. After the kittens are weaned from the mother, the kittens will stop developing lactase.
Are cats allergic to milk?
In studies, almost one-third of cats have been shown to have sensitivities to several foods. This includes an allergy to lactose (lactose) and another type of milk protein called casein.
However, not all cats are allergic to lactose or casein. Allergies often appear in cats with digestive disorders, or on skin with skin inflammation such as hives or redness. Inside the intestines, milk allergy appears as congestion, edema (swelling due to fluid retention), villi degeneration, hemorrhage, and plasma cell hyperplasia.
What kind of milk can cats drink?
Unfortunately, the answers to all the important questions about what kind of milk a cat can drink are virtually nonexistent. We don't think it's a good idea to give your cat milk. But, we understand that some owners really do want to share some milk with their furry friend. So if your cat shows a tolerance for milk, you can usually give them raw cow's and goat's milk, staying away from plant- and nut-based milks like soy and almond milk. and coconut milk.
Epilogue
In short, we all know that cats love milk. Research shows that milk calms cats and gives them pleasure.
But studies also show that giving cats milk is not good for them, as most cats are lactose intolerant and some are allergic. Milk being part of a regular diet can have major negative consequences for your cat's health.
However, if your cat seems to be able to handle milk, the best milk to offer is fresh cow's or goat's milk. But only one tablespoon of milk should be given once a week.