Why shouldn't cats drink milk?

(Dan Tri) - Although newborn kittens start their lives on their mother's milk, research shows that after infancy, cats should absolutely not continue to drink milk.

Milk is not for cats (Photo: Canva).

Cats have been associated with humans for over 9,000 years. Initially, they were attracted to places where humans lived because there were often many mice. Realizing the effectiveness of cats in catching mice, humans gradually domesticated this animal to raise in their homes.

Farmers began using cats as tools to control rodents that damaged crops. And from this, cats and milk gradually became familiar with each other.

Before pet food was mass produced and sold, cats mainly ate leftovers from their owners' meals. Not much was known about their nutritional needs.

In his 1877 book on cats, Scottish physician Gordon Stables stressed that cats need two bowls: "one for water and one for milk," and suggested porridge and milk as a great breakfast for cats.

From then on, cats and milk seemed to become more firmly entwined in the popular psyche through images of milk-loving cats in art, books, films and cartoons. There was even the classic image of a scruffy street cat rescued from the rain to enjoy a saucer of milk from a kind stranger.

However, current research suggests that cats should not drink milk at all.

The cultural association between cats and milk goes back a long way in history, as shown in this 1921 photo (Photo: Colorado State University, USA).

Most cats are lactose intolerant.

Like all mammals, kittens are born on their mother's milk. But past infancy, milk is a completely unnecessary part of a cat's diet.

After weaning (around 6-12 weeks of age), kittens stop producing the enzyme lactase, an enzyme needed to digest lactose in milk.

For most cats, this means they are lactose intolerant. However, just like in humans, the degree of intolerance varies from individual to individual depending on how much of the enzyme the body naturally produces.

Although lactose tolerance varies from person to person, don't give your kitten milk just yet. Just because your kitten can digest lactose doesn't mean he should drink cow's milk.

Cats are much smaller animals than cows and therefore the lactose content of their mother's milk is much lower than that of cow's milk. It is best to let them nurse or buy them a cat formula that is suitable for kittens.

Aside from lactose intolerance, there are other reasons why you should not give your kitten milk. Although rare, cats can also be allergic to milk or milk products.

What happens to cats that drink milk?

Lactose is a sugar. When it cannot be broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream, lactose passes through the intestines to the colon, where bacteria inside the body ferment the lactose.

This fermentation process breaks down lactose into acids and gases that cause unpleasant symptoms, including excessive flatulence, bloating, constipation, abdominal pain, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. In cats, the most common symptom observed is diarrhea.

Chronic or persistent diarrhea can lead to other complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and malnutrition. In some cases, it can even be life-threatening.

Cats that regularly consume milk or dairy products are at higher risk for these health complications.

If milk is not so good, why do cats still like to drink it?

We often like things that are bad for us. But to answer this question, we must first remember that cow's milk is used to feed and develop baby calves.

Cow's milk contains a protein and fat that is very easy to eat, especially for cats. Cats need high levels of protein and fat for optimal health and daily activity.

Cow’s milk is also high in casein, a protein that the body breaks down into alpha-casozepine. In some studies, it has been linked to a calming effect in cats. While this may not initially make cats want to drink milk, over time it may create a pleasant association with drinking milk.

If you want to feed your cat, feed them cat food, not cow's milk or human food (Photo: Pexels).

Is it okay to give your cat a little milk every now and then as a reward?

The short answer is "no".

Milk is not a natural part of a cat's diet. While they may enjoy the taste, milk can cause discomfort and health problems for cats, so it's best to avoid it altogether.

And if you think your cat is one of the lucky few who isn't lactose intolerant, think again. Cats are very good at hiding their discomfort because in the wild, showing weakness would make them a target for predators.

If you absolutely must give your cat milk, choose lactose-free milk or milk formulated specifically for cats and only give it as an occasional treat. While this type of milk won't upset your cat's stomach like regular cow's milk, it still won't provide any nutritional benefits to your cat.

What about alternative milks like oat milk, soy milk, or almond milk? Any unusual addition to your cat’s diet has the potential to cause digestive upset, so it’s best to avoid these.

In short, don't give your cat milk. They don't need it, they probably can't digest it, and it can do more harm than good.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/vi-sao-khong-nen-cho-meo-uong-sua-20250524022044717.htm