Many cats are lactose-intolerant, meaning their digestive system is unable to digest milk well. However, not all cats react negatively to milk, specifically lactose in milk.

Lactose is a type of sugar that is present in milk. When a cat is lactose-intolerant, the animal does not have enough enzymes that can help digest lactose in milk. When a lactose-intolerant cat drinks cow’s milk, he may suffer from stomach cramps and diarrhea. Lactose that is not acted upon by specific enzymes remains undigested and stays in the intestine rather than being absorbed into the body. The bacterial population present in the digestive tract will act on the lactose and cause fermentation, leading to digestive problems that generally manifest within 8-12 hours after milk consumption.

On the other hand, kittens don’t experience digestive upsets when drinking their mother’s milk because they still possess the enzyme lactase that is important in the digestion of lactose in milk. Their bodies eventually stop producing the enzyme once they are weaned from the mother by the time they are 8 weeks old.

For more information about your cat's dietary needs visit your animal hospital Louisville, CO.