Warning: Do Not (Always) Give Your Cat Milk!

So I know what you are thinking…your thinking, “This is the Thinking Hound, why would you write about cats?”.

Yes, I understand the irony of this article, on more levels then one.  However, this is not your normal “lovey-dovey” article about your useless fluff-ball, which society has called a cat.  This article is about the ironic issue that most cat-owners and cat-haters do not know about their mischievous pet.

I have a question for all of you:

What is a cat’s favorite thing to consume?

No, the answer is not your soul, although that is close.  Rather, most people would say MILK!  Ever since I was a little lad, I was taught that cats love milk better than napping and doing nothing.

If a cat is hungry?  Offer it milk.

If a cat is stuck in a tree?  Offer it milk.

If a cat gives you love and affection?  Don’t worry, it never happens.

Everyone in the history of everything has been told that milk is what cats love and should drink.  I have given milk to cats before, you have probably given milk to a cat before, and your grandmother has given milk to a cat.  Everyone knows this simple social norm.

However, we may need to stop giving milk to cats.

Your little kitty may actually be lactose intolerant, and in all actuality, being lactose intolerant is more normal than not when it comes to adult cats and humans.

First things first, what is lactose intolerance?

It is pretty simple.  There is a milk sugar called lactose, which is contained in milk (no way!) and other dairy products.  Now, the body (both human and feline) has to digest this sugar.  To do this, the body has to produce an enzyme.  This enzyme is called lactase, and is used in the digestive system to digest the lactose.  At birth, the body is filled to the tippy-top with lactase, that way you can drink milk as you grow up.  However, as you get older, your body will have less lactase, and will become more lactose intolerant.

This is not unique just to the human body, however.  Your cat has the exact same problem.  When your cat is a kitten, it has tons of lactase, and it can drink all the milk it desires.  But when your kitten grows up, breaks your heart and becomes an adult cat, it will most likely become lactose intolerant.  Your cat can experience symptoms, such as vomiting, congestion problems, etc.

So what does that mean?  Well, that means that you probably should consider getting a dog instead of a cat, since a dog doesn’t ask for milk once it is older.  However, if you still persist to own a feline, then you may think twice before you give your cat milk.  Lactose intolerance can impact anyone, even your cat.

So…

Got Milk?