cheese. So if you like to give your cat the odd milky treat, it may surprise you to learn that this isn’t actually all that good for them.
Perhaps you’ve noticed after giving your feline friend a dash of milk that they tend to have an upset stomach.
This is because cats are actually lactose intolerant. This means that their body has difficulty processing the lactose in the milk and other dairy products, which can cause them digestive upset.
This is typically the case for adult cats once they have been weaned from their mother’s milk.
Today, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about lactose intolerance in cats so that you can better understand when to avoid giving your cat milk and other dairy treats.
The general rule of thumb is that as long as you don’t give them too much dairy, they should be able to enjoy these as an occasional treat.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about lactose intolerance in cats!
Are Cats Intolerant To Milk?
Cats and milk have become synonymous over the years. So how come you shouldn’t give your cat milk?
Unfortunately for your kitty, they become lactose intolerant once they have been weaned off their mother’s milk.
This means that even though they may ask you for a sauce of cream, milk, or a bite of cheese, you shouldn’t give these to them too regularly.
Your cat’s digestive system won’t be able to process the lactose from the dairy products such as milk.
If you feed them a lot of milk regularly, this will leave them with stomach upsets and can even lead to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues.
So because milk is only one type of dairy product, it’s important to note that your cat will be intolerant to a whole other range of similar products which use milk as the main ingredient.
This will include all types of cheese that use cow’s milk, such as cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, and cream cheese, as well as other dairy products including ice cream and cream.
It’s important to note that your cat also can’t have goat milk or products made using goat milk, including feta cheese.
At What Age Do Cats Become Lactose Intolerant?
Interestingly, cats become lactose intolerant once they have been weaned from their mother after a couple of weeks.
Their body stops being able to process the lactose in all types of milk, including cow milk, sheep milk, and goat milk. Cats will typically continue to ask for milky treats such as blue cheese because they enjoy the flavor.
However, it’s essential to note that you could be causing your cat severe abdominal pains and other gastrointestinal issues if you were to do this.
In fact, any type of milk will cause the same issues for your feline friend, especially if you give it to them in large amounts.
You should also be aware that there is a high fat content in dairy products such as milk, cream, and cheese. These can cause your cat to suffer from weight issues if they were to eat too much of them.
What Happens If My Cat Eats Lactose?
If you were to give your cat dairy products which have lactose in them, then you will note several things happen.
Your cat will start to display symptoms of an upset tummy. This will include diarrhea, abdominal pains, vomiting, or various other signs of distress.
It’s also important to note that moderation will be a factor that dictates how badly your cat reacts to the lactose.
This is because if you were to feed your cat a small bite of cheese, they won’t suffer from as many of these gastrointestinal issues as they would if they were to be fed excessive amounts.
So the general rule of thumb is that the more milk, cheese, or other dairy products that you feed your cat, the worse their symptoms will be.
The above list are all symptoms of lactose intolerance, so it will be best to avoid giving your cat dairy products to avoid an intolerance reaction.
How Can I Tell If My Cat Is Lactose Intolerant?
There are a few easy ways to tell whether your cat is lactose intolerant or not. You will note that when you give them a lot of cheese, cream, or milk, that they will suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, or other digestive issues.
Remember that even if your cat doesn’t appear to display signs of lactose intolerance, they are still lactose intolerant.
This isn’t a factor that only applies to certain cats – it applies to every cat. So if your cat is thirsty, it will be better to give them a dish of clean, fresh water.
Human foods such as blue cheese, cottage cheese, cream, and cow milk aren’t suitable for your cat. You should offer them special treats that have been designed with cats in mind instead.
Is A Little Cheese Okay For Cats?
Giving your cat a bit of cheese from time to time shouldn’t cause them too many issues. You will need to only give them a little piece at a time to not overwhelm their delicate digestive system.
However, bear in mind that giving your cat too much dairy products like blue cheese, cheddar cheese, or cottage cheese will be harmful when given to them too regularly.
Instead of giving your cat bits of cheese, you can opt for cat treats that have been designed with your feline in mind. This will avoid any upset tummy that could cause your kitty distress.
In Summary
So there you have it! Yes, cats are indeed lactose intolerant, so shouldn’t really be given a bowl of milk, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, blue cheese, other types of cheese, yogurt, or any other dairy products.
Cow milk will be bad for your cat’s health, as will a wide variety of mild products that use this. Your cat also can’t have goat milk or sheep milk, as these also have a high amount of lactose in them.
If you were to give your cat the odd bits of cheese sometimes, this won’t be too bad.
However, you will need to bear in mind that your cat will suffer from tummy issues if they were to eat excessive amounts of dairy products.
This will include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues. It will be best to opt for cat treats that you can rest assured are safe for your pet to eat regularly instead.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
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