Many cats can tolerate a minimal amount of milk, but that does not mean they can digest it easily, nor does it mean they cannot digest it at all.
Most adult felines cannot tolerate lactose, which means they lack lactase, the digestive enzyme needed to break down lactose, the sugar in milk, which is possible and can cause problems.
These problems include drawing excess fluid into the gastrointestinal tract, leading to diarrhea. Some cats are more prone to this than others. Diarrhea can cause dehydration and reduce the absorption of essential nutrients.
Kittens can digest cow's milk better than adult cats because they have more lactose. However, this enzyme is rapidly lost with age. A 2019 study found that most cats completely stop producing lactase by the age of 12 months. Most cats can tolerate very little lactose before they develop symptoms.
It is best to get advice from a veterinarian Chesapeake, VA to know the pros and cons of giving milk to pet cats.
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