can cats drink cows milk

Cats generally should not drink cow's milk because most adult cats are lactose intolerant. This means they lack the enzyme lactase needed to properly digest the lactose (milk sugar) found in cow's milk. Drinking cow's milk can cause digestive upset in cats, including vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. While kittens can drink their mother's milk when young, they are usually weaned off milk by around 8 to 10 weeks old and develop lactose intolerance as they mature. Although some cats may tolerate small amounts of cow's milk occasionally without symptoms, regularly giving cow's milk to cats is not recommended as it can lead to nutritional imbalances and weight gain due to the fat content. Specially formulated cat milk or lactose-free milk products are safer options if offering a milk treat. However, the best and healthiest liquid for cats is fresh water. In summary, cow's milk is generally not good for cats and it is safer to avoid giving it to them.