Cats are one of the best companions for humans, not only with cute appearance, but also with a variety of personalities and Xi. Among them, diet is a very important part of a cat's life. Many pet owners will ask, can cats drink pure milk?The answer may surprise you.
First of all, we need to understand the cat's digestive system. The gastrointestinal system of cats is very different from that of humans. Humans can get calcium and protein by drinking milk, but cats can't digest milk well. Because cats lack lactase in their stomachs, an enzyme that helps them digest the lactose in milk. Lactose is a disaccharide that is difficult for cats to digest and absorb.
Lactose cannot be broken down in the cat's stomach and intestines, and will remain in the intestines, resulting in an imbalance of intestinal flora, causing diarrhea, indigestion and other problems. In severe cases, lactose can even form a high osmotic pressure, allowing water to enter the intestinal lumen and aggravate diarrhea symptoms. At the same time, the fat in milk can also put a burden on the cat's stomach.
So, while some cats may not experience noticeable problems after drinking a small amount of milk, this does not mean that milk is good for cats. For the sake of cats' health, we should avoid feeding them milk or other human food.
So, what if your cat craves milk?The best option is to provide them with formula or pet milk that is specially designed for cats and that are specially formulated for the cat's digestive system and do not burden their stomachs.