Expert explains why you should never give milk to a cat

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In movies, cats are often depicted with a saucer of milk, and in real life, many people think that cats should drink milk. But did you know that this is not true at all? In fact, milk can actually be very dangerous for cats. An expert explains why.

When cats are still very small, they naturally drink milk from their mother. But once cats have passed the kitten age, milk is actually out of the question. No matter how crazy they are about it.

According to Julia Henning, from the University of Adelaide’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, most cats are lactose intolerant. When cats stop drinking milk from their mothers, which is usually around six to 12 weeks of age, they stop producing the enzyme lactase, which is needed to digest the lactose in milk. “When they are then fed cow’s milk – which has a higher lactose content than their mother’s milk – they can experience unpleasant symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea,” she tells The Conversation .

According to Julia Henning, cats that are regularly fed milk or other dairy products are also at greater risk for these health problems. “And it can even be fatal, because chronic diarrhea can lead to dehydration and malnutrition.”

Now you might think, feeding milk every now and then can't hurt, but Julia Henning disagrees. "No, dairy products are simply not a natural part of a cat's diet. Although they undoubtedly enjoy it, milk can cause discomfort and health problems, so it's best to avoid it altogether."

Even if your cat doesn’t seem to be bothered by it, it’s best not to give it. “Cats are very good at hiding discomfort. If they were to show their weakness in the wild, they would become a target for predators. So if for some reason it is necessary, it’s better to opt for lactose-free milk or milk that is specially made for cats. But really only give it occasionally,” says Julia Henning.