Mary Allen
Introduction: The Myth of Cats and Milk
It’s a common misconception that cats love to drink milk. We often see this portrayed in movies, TV shows, and cartoons, where cats are shown lapping up milk from a saucer. However, the reality is that cats cannot digest milk properly, and giving them milk can lead to digestive problems and other health issues.
The Science Behind Lactose Intolerance
The reason why cats can’t drink milk is because they are lactose intolerant. Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk, and it requires an enzyme called lactase to break it down. While kittens produce lactase in their digestive system to digest their mother’s milk, most cats lose this ability as they grow older. As a result, they are unable to digest lactose properly, leading to a range of digestive problems. This is similar to lactose intolerance in humans, where people also lack the ability to digest lactose properly.