While it's true that cow's milk can cause digestive issues in cats (diarrhea, gas, and even dehydration), it's not a life-threatening situation.
Here's why the phrase is misleading:
* Cats are lactose intolerant: They lack the enzyme lactase to properly digest the lactose in cow's milk.
* Small amounts of milk are unlikely to cause serious harm: If a stray cat drinks a small amount of milk, it might have an upset stomach, but it won't die.
* There are better alternatives: If you're trying to feed a stray cat, there are much safer and healthier options, such as kitten milk replacer (KMR) or wet cat food.
Instead of "never give a stray cat milk," a better phrase would be "avoid giving a stray cat cow's milk."
It's important to remember that stray cats may be dehydrated and hungry, so offering them food and water, even if it's not ideal, is always better than doing nothing.