The reason why cats can't drink milk

1. It is a misunderstanding that cats can't drink milk. The source of this misunderstanding is that cats are lactose intolerant. Lactose is a unique sugar in mammalian milk, which is synthesized by mammary epithelial cells with glucose as precursor under the action of a series of enzymes. Lactose is a disaccharide composed of one molecule of glucose and one molecule of galactose. The average content of lactose in milk is 4.8%. Lactose must be hydrolyzed into galactose and glucose by galactosidase located at the brush edge of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells before it can be absorbed and utilized by the body.

2. But for milk cats, you can feed them with goat milk powder, soothing milk or pure milk. Because most suckling cats have no lactose intolerance, only weaned teenagers and adults have lactose intolerance. Goat milk powder and Shuhua milk are chosen only because their ingredients are easier to digest, so it is relatively safe to choose any infant formula (preferably sugar-free period) without conditions, including pure milk. However, the gastrointestinal tract of suckling cats is not developed, and they may be allergic to milk protein, and their stomachs are weak and unable to digest milk, which may lead to diarrhea. But as long as there is no problem, you can continue to feed.

3. It is impossible for any kind of mammal cubs to have lactose intolerance with high probability. Lactose is a very nutritious thing for young cats. The body of a kitten can produce an enzyme called lactase, which can break down lactose in breast milk. However, as they get older, their bodies produce less and less lactase, which makes it difficult for them to digest any type of milk. So weaned kittens and adult cats can't drink pure milk.

4. Lactose intolerance in young cats is due to the low lactase activity on the intestinal mucosa, which makes lactose unable to hydrolyze, and the increase of lactose concentration in the small intestine leads to the increase of water content in the intestinal cavity. Its symptoms are increased abdominal pressure, flatulence, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Adult cats are lactose intolerant because they can't produce lactase and decompose lactose in dairy products, so they will leave lactose in their bodies and ferment bacteria in their intestines, leading to diarrhea and life-threatening.

5. Because many suckling cats have no symptoms of lactose intolerance. If you want to feed a nursing cat, you can feed it a small amount of milk first, and then slowly increase the feeding amount after observing that there is no adverse reaction. If there are adverse reactions such as thin stool, anxiety and spitting, you should stop breastfeeding and seek medical advice in time. Or you can choose lactose hydrolyzed milk fermented milk or milk preparation containing probiotics (old yogurt sold in supermarkets) to maintain the gastrointestinal tract.