are cats lactose intolerant

Cats are mostly lactose intolerant. This means that as kittens they produce the enzyme lactase to digest their mother's milk, but as they grow older, their lactase production decreases or stops. Without this enzyme, lactose from milk cannot be properly digested and ferments in the gut, causing symptoms like stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, gas, and bloating about 8 to 12 hours after consuming milk or dairy products. Most adult cats should avoid milk and other dairy for their digestive health, although a small occasional amount may not cause issues in some cats. The lactose intolerance in cats is similar to that in humans and is a normal biological process after weaning.