Cats used to be synonymous with milk, but the benefits of this dairy product on our felines' health are rather questionable, to say the least. PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, warns that milk can cause serious harm to cats and advises to steer clear of dairy in favour of water.
Discover our latest podcast
Surprise! Most cats are lactose-intolerant
Most cats don’t possess the enzyme to digest lactose in their intestines and are therefore 'lactose-intolerant'. Consuming milk which contains lactosecan cause cats the same discomfort as it does to humans and lead to vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain.
A saucer of milk is a cat’s fat feast
Cow’s milk is high in fat and can be the reason behind your cat’s weight gain. A saucer of milk compares to an entire 12-inch pizza, which can be a meal but not a drink or a snack.
Milk shouldn’t be a substitute for a meal
According to the UK’s leading cat welfare charity Cat Protection, drinking milk instead of eating vitamin-rich cat food for a balanced diet can make feline divas miss out on key nutrients they need. This, in its turn, may lead to serious long-term health complications.
Don’t be fooled by 'special cat milk' from a store
Supermarkets and pet shops sell special milk made for cats. While it sounds like a genius idea, it isn’t much better than regular milk for your feline's health. It may be lactose-free and less likely to cause discomfort, but the fat count still poses risks for your cat’s waistline.
Water is always a better idea
PDSA vets insist that water is the only drink a cat needs to stay hydrated, healthy and happy. You might have noticed that cats are attracted by the moving water. A cat water fountain can be a fun way to make your feline drink more.
Milk is for kittens
Possibly the only case where milk can be beneficial to cats is when you need to take care of a tiny kitten if it doesn’t have access to its mother's milk. The choice of milk has to be consulted with the vet for the right balance of nutrients.
The conclusion is pretty straightforward: as long as your cat eats a balanced, age-appropriate diet, it shouldn’t drink milk. A cat with a milk saucer is for idyllic pictures, not for healthy and happy cats in real life.
Read more:
⋙ Bengal cat kicked and slapped by its celebrity owner: Guess what the abuser’s punishment was
⋙ Surprising things you didn’t know your cat's tail was telling you
⋙ 47 cats were found trapped in a car that was parked right under the sun
