Water is best: Why you shouldn't give milk to your pet cat
I will bet that most people, if asked, would say a saucer of milk is fine for their kitties. But for most cats, milk is not a good choice and can cause some serious health issues.
Most cats are lactose intolerant. Newborn kittens begin their lives with enough lactase (the enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose) so they can benefit from all the nutrients their mother's milk provides. Mother cats begin weaning their kittens as early as four weeks, and by the time they are eight to 10 weeks, the kittens are eating solid food.
Also during the weaning period, kittens begin to lose the ability to digest the sugar found in milk.
Most adult cats no longer have sufficient lactase to breakdown lactose. When they drink milk, undigested lactose remains in their intestines where they can be fermented by bacteria in the colon and produce volatile fatty acids.
The result can be stomach upset, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, and loss of appetite, but the most common symptom of lactose intolerance in cats is diarrhea within eight to 12 hours.
Over time, if a cat consistently drinks milk and then experiences regular incidences of diarrhea, it could lead to critical health complications, including death from dehydration.
Not all cats are lactose intolerant. If you've ever given your cat some milk and she's had no symptoms, she may still have enough lactase to drink a little milk without a problem.
If you want to find out if your cat is lactose tolerant or not, you could give her a small amount of milk - just a tablespoon or so. If she doesn't show any symptoms, it may be OK for you to give her an occasional treat of milk, but talk with your veterinarian first.
Most veterinarians would agree that since cats don't need milk for nutrients and there are plenty of other ways to treat your kitty, the possible problems are not worth the risk.
Give cats water. Water helps cats digest their food, eliminate waste, regulate their body temperature, promote optimal organ function, and more. If you don't think your cat is getting enough water, try some of these tricks before resorting to milk.
Add additional water bowls around the house. Try a water fountain. Lots of cats love flowing water. At my house, every time someone goes into a bathroom, Ozzie is close behind, anxiously awaiting his chance to drink from the faucet.
Low sodium chicken or bone broth added to your cat's water may make it more enticing. If you feed your cat dry food, but don't think she is getting enough water, introduce wet food to help increase daily water intake.
• Diana Stoll is the Practice Manager at Red Barn Animal Hospital with locations in Hampshire, (847) 683-4788; and Gilberts, (847) 426-1000. Visit their website at www.redbarnpetvet.com.