Why cats shouldn't continue to drink milk into adulthood

topic posted Fri, August 31, 2007 - 8:47 PM by  Akasha
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I've always been told by vets that cats should not be fed milk as an adult. Now I know in nature they naturally stop nursing at some point, but I don't know the specific reasons why they shouldn't have it.

My mom gives her cats yogurt and cream, along with their moist food and dry kibble. They are over 5 months, and I've told her that eventually she'll have to give up giving them the dairy. She asked why, and all I could say was because the vet said so.

Anyone know the reasoning for not giving cats dairy in adulthood? And when specifically does "adulthood" start for them?
posted by:
Akasha
Minneapolis
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  • Unsu...
     
    Most commonly you'll hear that cats become adults at about one year of age, but I've actually read that from a cat's biological standpoint, it's eight months. And of course females are capable of reproducing as early as five (perhaps younger, even).

    Milk isn't harmful to cats. But cats tend to be lactose intolerant, which is the only reason why it's recommended against, despite the fact most cats seem to adore dairy products. Since cats stop drinking milk past weaning age, milk doesn't provide an adult cat anything it needs that it's normal diet wouldn't provide. And cats, like all animals, only NEED the kind of milk designed for their species--i.e. feline milk instead of bovine.
    • Unsu...
       
      I should add that I do sometimes give my cats milk or cream as a treat, but only ever as just that; certainly not as part of their regular diet. I keep the treat in a small enough amount not to have to deal with the stink of diarrhea.
      • Man, is that why her kitties poo stinks so bad?!? oy! I'm cat-sitting for her for the next week, and when they go in the box and I walk by....damn! >;-D

        They're only 5 months old...so cute! Next week they go in to be spayed and neutered...I caught the boy trying to hump his sister. I put a quick stop to that! With my girl kitty, it wasn't a problem before we got her spayed. She laid the smack down on my boys! Haha!
        • yep nimb is right, cats and dogs are both lactose intolerant. lactose is the sugar in milk, and cats and dogs dont have the digestive enzymes needed to break it down, so it can ferment in their digestive system and can cause diahrea. most pets can tolerate a small amount of milk though.

          if you want you can buy special milk formulated for cats and dogs that have the lactose removed, for example:

          www.connex.com.au/catalogue..._head.html

          could be an option if your cat or dog just reeeeaaaally loves the stuff and you dont want to take it away.
          • Unsu...
             
            MILK is VERY harmful to cats.
            Whether or not you think that your cats love the stuff, you should never give them any dairy...if you want to treat them give them catnip or cat grass, at least those two supplements are actually good for their digestion.

            We write off diarhea much too easily in our automatic pill-popping society...diarrhea is a VERY VERY serious sign of illness in humans and in all animals...If you are having regular or chronic diarrhea it is the sign of a serious disease...diarrhea is your colon trying to flush all the toxins out.

            So the fact that your cats have diarrhea is much worse than just you "having to deal with the stink of it."
            it means that your cats could potentially get very very sick...so why keep giving it to them? even in small amounts?

            we tend to anthropomorphise our companion animals, but they do not "want" treats and vices as we do. If anything your cats would much prefer running after a toy mouse on a string then to drink milk...or even better they would much better catch a real mouse...but that is beside the point. Cats are not glutons they are carnivores and hunters, so if you want to make them happy play with them, don't give them something that you have convinced yourself that they want and that makes them sick.

            remember for you it's just the smell and texture of dhiarrhea, but they are the one who have to actually suffer through the diarrhea.
            I love my cats and would never want to make them sick, especially not deliberately.
            • Unsu...
               
              Antoine,

              Screw you for implying I would ever allow my cats to get sick on a whim of giving them treats.

              I know a great deal about cats from having owned, babysat, and fostered dozens of my own, those of friends, strays, and shelters. Don't you dare suggest that I somehow don't care for them properly or am not diligent in maintaining their health.
              • Unsu...
                 
                I can dare to suggest whatever I want...especially if it is the truth..."owning" cats does not make you a specialist in cat health...and in fact as Akasha said all vets (who actually ARE are specialists in cat health) will tell you that milk is VERY harmful to cats.

                I am not IMPLYING that you are making your cats sick on a whim...I am directly saying that.
                If you are giving your cats diarrhea by feeding them milk, you are directly harming your cats.

                no implication at all, just the truth.

                The fact that the truth makes you uncomfortable or pissed off is no concern of mine.
                • Jim
                  Jim
                  offline 0
                  On Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007, a blogger wrote, "I can dare to suggest whatever I want...especially if it is the truth..."owning" cats does not make you a specialist in cat health...and in fact as Akasha said all vets (who actually ARE are specialists in cat health) will tell you that milk is VERY harmful to cats."

                  Well dig this. I took my cat to the vet yesterday and asked her if it is all right to give milk to cats. She said IT IS FINE, AS LONG AS THE CAT CAN STOMACH IT. I asked because he has been losing weight due to maldigestion, and I was wondering if it was safe to give him some cream from time to time, which could also help him gain back some of the weight that he has lost. That said, this vet told me that the belief that milk is harmful to cats is a WIVESTALE. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to give my pussy some cream as soon as I get done posting! Anyone who disapproves can scratch his or her behind.

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