Dallas Vet

Foods That You Should Not Feed Your Cat or Dog [Continued]

Cow's Milk

Many cats are lactose intolerant just like many people are. As mentioned, many people do not have the enzymes to break down milk in their bodies, so milk is basically flushed from their system in an expedient manner, such as diarrhea or vomiting. These people could become sick for quite some time or they may get over the problem very quickly. The length of the process and the intensity of the health problem is determined primarily by the amount of milk ingested. The same is true for cats, although they have no idea that they should not consume milk.

In fact, if you pour milk into a cat's bowl, they are likely to drink it. Some cats do have the enzymes to break down milk and are therefore lactose tolerant. These cats can drink milk, but it's impossible to know which cats are lactose tolerant and which are lactose intolerant without first feeding them some milk and observing their reaction. Of course, since you cat could be one of the cats who do not have the proper enzymes for breaking down milk, drinking milk could cause the cat problems. For this reason it is best to not feed your cat milk, and to be sure and keep it put up away from your cat so that they cannot consume it.

What if My Cat Drank Milk?

In the case that your cat does consume milk and subsequently experience diarrhea or vomiting, call your Dallas vet and tell them what has happened. By knowing how much milk the cat drank and the intensity of the vomiting or diarrhea, the Dallas vet will be able to tell you how much danger your cat is in and what you should do next. Can I Feed My Dog or Cat Snacks?