Although many people have in their minds the adorable image of a kitten drinking milk from a bowl, the reality is that adult cats should not drink this milky beverage on a regular basis. Like the vast majority of mammals, cats drink their mother’s milk from birth. But once they are weaned, they no longer need this food in their daily diet.
A cat is normally weaned at four weeks after birth and starts eating solid food a little later. The cat’s body often loses the ability to process milk after weaning. In fact, in order to digest it, they produce an enzyme called lactase, which is no longer produced once they switch to solid food.
In addition, it should be remembered that the milk regularly offered to cats is cow’s milk. This type of milk also cannot be processed properly by your body.
Milk is not a substitute for a balanced meal.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that offering cow’s milk to a cat will not replace the balanced food from which it can obtain the nutrients necessary for a good diet.
In addition, the continued intake of this type of liquid can cause stomach and digestive disorders, as well as promote general weight gain.
On the other hand, it is important to remember that cats need to have an adequate amount of fluids on a daily basis. If they do not have it, they could become dehydrated. It is important to drink the necessary amount of water to avoid dehydration.
Finally, cats may very occasionally take a little of this drink as a reward and this will not cause major problems. What is important to avoid is to make it a daily habit.
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