Is It Good to Give Milk to Adult Cats?

Plenty of cats appear to find cow's milk delicious, but the stuff is not good for the furry guys. Not only is cow's milk not beneficial for adult cats, it isn't at all suitable for kittens, either. Milk for human consumption causes tummy troubles for kitty -- not pleasant for either of you.

  1. Fully Mature Cats and Milk

    • Lactase is an enzyme that is responsible for deconstructing milk's lactose or milk sugar content. Cats generally don't have adequate lactase, and that deficiency triggers a couple of less-than-wonderful things -- an upset stomach, diarrhea and throwing up. Simply put, cats' bodies are unable to successfully digest milk.

    Cat's Milk Only

    • Young kittens typically are fully prepared to stop drinking milk by the time they're between 8 and 10 weeks in age -- weaning age. However, the milk they're supposed to drink up until this point is not cow's milk. It is cat's milk, which is not at all the same thing. Not only can milk from a cow trigger tummy discomfort in kittens, it also in no way meets their little bodies' strict nutritional requirements. Cow's milk has insufficient amounts of proteins and fats in comparison with cat's milk. If a wee kitten's mother isn't around to nurse him, never feed him cow's milk as a replacement. Instead, go to a pet supplies shop and look for a commercial formula that replicates all of the vital nutrients in cat's milk. Make sure beforehand that the formula is marked as formulated for kitten consumption. If you ever are unclear on anything regarding formula choices, speak to your veterinarian before you proceed.

    Water

    • Adult cats have no need for any beverage other than water, so keep the cow's milk to yourself. Water is a crucial element for any healthy and thriving feline. Cats aren't often as enthusiastic about drinking water compared with some other pets; because of that, it's vital to encourage ample hydration to the greatest of your ability. Always leave out plenty of clean drinking water for your cat. Wet cat food can also provide felines some necessary water, as well.

    Other Types of Milk

    • If you want to give your adult cat some milk as a treat, soy milk and goat milk both are suitable options. Cats generally can digest both soy and goat's milk well. Lactose-free milk formulated specifically for cats is a common sight in pet supplies stores. Keep both of these things as small rewards -- perhaps a tablespoon as a portion. Rewards should a maximum of 5 percent to 10 percent of your cat's daily food consumption. At the first sign of any digestive upset such as diarrhea or vomiting, immediately stop allowing your cat to drink either of these types of milk. Also, before ever allowing anything new into your cat's diet, always make a point to notify your veterinarian.