Why milk is bad for cats: debunking an old myth

A picture from childhood: a tired cat dozing by a bowl of milk. Movies, cartoons, old books - all say the same thing: cats love milk. But modern science says it straight: milk is not the best gift for your furry friend.

Yes, cats used to drink milk on farms because it was readily available. Before the advent of industrial food, cats fed on kitchen scraps, and milk was part of their "menu." Even 19th century books recommended it as a "healthy breakfast". But now we know a lot more, writes The Conversation.

🚫 Why milk is not for cats

Cats, like all mammals, start life with their mother's milk. But 6-12 weeks after birth, their production of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar (lactose), decreases dramatically. As a result, most adult cats become lactose intolerant.

What happens if a cat does drink milk? The lactose is not digested and the fermentation process begins in the intestines. This leads to flatulence, pain, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, dehydration and other problems.

And even if your cat looks fine after milk, it doesn't mean she's fine - cats are good at hiding pain so they don't look weak.

🤔 But why do cats like milk?

The simple answer is that milk is fatty and delicious. It's high in proteins and fats, especially casein, a protein that can give cats a slight feeling of 'calmness'. But there are no benefits - it's like eating cake every day for pleasure, ignoring the consequences.

🥛 Can we have a little bit of it once in a while?

If you really want to "please" the cat, you can give lactose-free milk or special cat substitutes - and then in very limited quantities, as a treat. But there will be no benefit, but digestive problems are quite possible.

What is definitely not allowed is vegetable milk (oat milk, almond milk, soya milk ). Cats have sensitive digestion and such products will only harm them.