Can cats become lactose intolerant?

WinnerVictorious
WinnerVictorious Posts: 4,733 Member
edited October 27 in Chit-Chat
Is almond milk a good substitute for lactose intolerant cats?
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Replies

  • Dark_Roast
    Dark_Roast Posts: 17,689 Member
    I didn't think cats needed to drink milk at all?
  • _noob_
    _noob_ Posts: 3,306 Member
    I didn't think cats needed to drink milk at all?

    they don't NEED to, but a bowl of cow's milk derails a cat's paleo diet faster than chocolate for a human.
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    Why not see if your cat likes Almond milk? Mine prefers the vanilla flavored stuff. It's healthier and I don't have to worry about him gaining too much weight from drinking regular milk. Milk can make animals fat.
  • Admiral_Derp
    Admiral_Derp Posts: 866 Member
    My cat has done better on rice milk, but I think almond should be okay.
  • 1horsetown
    1horsetown Posts: 247 Member
    Most cats are lactose intolerant. Gives them the runs. Our little female cat gained weight after we STOPPED giving her milk.
  • _SABOTEUR_
    _SABOTEUR_ Posts: 6,833 Member
    I have a friend with a milking cat. I only give my cat pure cat's milk.
  • belligerent599
    belligerent599 Posts: 40
    Make sure the cat's milk you give your cat is RAW ONLY. Pasteurized cat milk is dead food and you shouldn't give it to your cat.
  • ImtheOnethatsCool
    ImtheOnethatsCool Posts: 212 Member
    My cat it totally lactose intolerant. You don't what to know what happens if someone gives him regular milk.

    I tried getting him to swallow those lactaid pills, but that resulted in a lot of scratches to my arms. We've settled on soy milk instead.
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    Enough with the jokes someone might take them seriously and hurt their poor cat lol
  • WinnerVictorious
    WinnerVictorious Posts: 4,733 Member
    My cat it totally lactose intolerant. You don't what to know what happens if someone gives him regular milk.

    I tried getting him to swallow those lactaid pills, but that resulted in a lot of scratches to my arms. We've settled on soy milk instead.

    be careful! if you switch your cat to an all vegetarian diet, he'll end up walking around the house judging you.
  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member
    Cats are slightly lactose intolerant when it comes to cow's milk.


    edited for speeling.
  • MsCarlalalala
    MsCarlalalala Posts: 90
    My guy is not lactose intolerant, but he knows that milk is just something he wants not something he needs, just like people don't need chocolate but they still crave it. The rule in our house is that if Milo wants milk he most bring home chocolate.
  • Raeambi
    Raeambi Posts: 13
    Generally cats are lactose intolerant and shouldn't have dairy products. Unlike dogs, they are also carnivores so shouldn't be given plant materials etc. You should only give them water to drink.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    Drinking milk from a different species is wrong mmmkay? So their lactose intolerance is probably a good thing.
  • beachlover317
    beachlover317 Posts: 2,848 Member
    "Exactly how do you milk a cat Greg?"
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    Cats are slightly lactose intolerant when it comes to cow's milk.


    edited for speeling.

    Then why does our culture repeatedly show images of cats drinking milk?



    Stereotypes have to start somewhere right? If cats didn't like and drink milk, then why do we, culturally, stereotype them as drinking it all the time?
  • WinnerVictorious
    WinnerVictorious Posts: 4,733 Member
    Cats are slightly lactose intolerant when it comes to cow's milk.


    edited for speeling.

    Then why does our culture repeatedly show images of cats drinking milk?



    Stereotypes have to start somewhere right? If cats didn't like and drink milk, then why do we, culturally, stereotype them as drinking it all the time?

    i blame Madison Avenue.

    lion_girl_milk1-e1329855246182.jpg
  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
    Cat's don't need milk. If you are talking about kittens that are nursing they can use KMR (kitten milk replacement sold at petstores and walmart)
  • alychil820
    alychil820 Posts: 219 Member
    Try finding a stray cat that's just had a litter. As long as she's still nursing, maybe your cat will take more to feeding from her. Cat's can digest cat milk proteins so much more easily.
  • TLCorsini
    TLCorsini Posts: 78
    After the first year cats are not supposed to drink milk at all. It messes with their digestive system and makes them sick. If they are kittens, they have special milk for them at pet stores but after a year old, its time to switch to adult food and only water otherwise your kitty can throw up or will have runny stool
  • jjeddy
    jjeddy Posts: 26 Member
    Cats cannot tolerate cows milk after they are a couple of months old. Causes nasty intestional issues. Over time, can make them seriouly ill.
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    I've always heard that cats aren't allowed to drink milk, that it's bad for them. But I've used milk to help keep the cats hydrated when they are having trouble keeping their food down.

    Does anyone have any backing on this either way?
  • lacurandera1
    lacurandera1 Posts: 8,083 Member
    Whatever you do- Don't give her cow's milk. COW's MILK IS ONLY FOR BABY COWS.
  • CLFrancois
    CLFrancois Posts: 472 Member
    If people were not giving cow milk to cats, would you see a cat drinking it? No.
    They drink mama's milk for a few months and move on to kill their food.
    just cause they LIKE it doesn't mean they should have it.
    I like deep fried oreos and twinkies. Pretty sure I should not have those.
  • janessanessa
    janessanessa Posts: 299 Member
    Small animal veterinarian here chiming in, cats shouldn't have milk of any kind, as they can't tolerate milk from other species, and past weaning, shouldn't have a need for milk or milk replacers, or dairy for that matter. Simply stated, They don't NEED milk. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat to get all the vital amino acids to survive. Denying your cat, could lead to taurine deficiency, heart disease, and death. Back to dairy, giving your cat cows milk, soy, or any other kind can set them up for vomiting, diarrhea, and possible food allergies in the future. Take my advice, and just don't do it. :)
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    All cats are lactose intolerant. Humans are the only mammals that digest lactose and only about 30% of the human population has acquired the mutation allowing us to do so.
  • deathbypretzel
    deathbypretzel Posts: 45
    If people were not giving cow milk to cats, would you see a cat drinking it? No.
    They drink mama's milk for a few months and move on to kill their food.
    just cause they LIKE it doesn't mean they should have it.
    I like deep fried oreos and twinkies. Pretty sure I should not have those.
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    Small animal veterinarian here chiming in, cats shouldn't have milk of any kind, as they can't tolerate milk from other species, and past weaning, shouldn't have a need for milk or milk replacers, or dairy for that matter. Simply stated, They don't NEED milk. Take my advice, and just don't do it. :)

    I agree with this.

    This is why my cat Nadia is vegan.
  • Dark_Roast
    Dark_Roast Posts: 17,689 Member
    My cat it totally lactose intolerant. You don't what to know what happens if someone gives him regular milk.

    I tried getting him to swallow those lactaid pills, but that resulted in a lot of scratches to my arms. We've settled on soy milk instead.

    be careful! if you switch your cat to an all vegetarian diet, he'll end up walking around the house judging you.


    HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    Just keep in mind soy milk can increase estrogen levels, and so it might cause cancer in your cat. I'd stick with almond or rice milk.
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