My friend told me this once and I've been afraid to give my poor cat's milk in fear.
2006-12-21 04:08:56 · 16 answers · asked by caramela 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Hi Caramela...it won't give them parasites rather milk causes digestive upset. The reason is that cats do not have the proper enzymes to properly break down the sugar in milk which is called 'lactose.' You may have heard of people who are lactose-intolerant. They are also missing these digestive enzymes. If the proper enzymes are not present, the lactose remains undigested and tends to ferment in the intestine and cause diarrhea. Some pets can tolerate a little milk, others, none at all.
2006-12-21 04:15:48 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Almost all the cow's milk available in grocery stores is pasteurized milk though raw milk is available in some markets in my area. Pasteurized milk will not contain bacteria or parasites.
Animals, including the cat, don't need any milk after weaning. We are the only species on earth that drinks, makes cheese, and other products from cows' and goats' milk.
Some cats, and some humans, are lactose intolerant and cow's milk will cause serious digestive upset - especially dangerous to kittens. So you need not fear giving milk to your cat, just start with small amounts to see if the cat can tolerate it. Cats love cream as they like the fat in that. Otherwise the milk has no real nutritional value for them.
2006-12-21 04:29:19 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course not -- otherwise we would be exposed as well. In the US, all milk is homogonized which will kill harmful bacteria and parasites.
Howeve, most adult cats will get the runs if you give them milk -- so be careful about that. There is a milk substitute product that you can get for cats in the Pet Food section if you want ot give them a treat.
2006-12-21 04:19:16 · answer #3 · answered by Ranto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No if it was true then we would have parasites O.o
Cat's cannot digest cows milk. You can get cat milk from the pet store. Whiskas do a great version and my cats love it.
2006-12-21 04:16:42 · answer #4 · answered by Sorcha 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contrary to popular belief milk is not good for cats. Especially nuetered males. I dont know about parasites but it can cause urinary tract problems. I had a cat that could not have milk at all as he would get sick. My cats now only get water.
2006-12-21 04:50:17 · answer #5 · answered by mnwomen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard that. I know that cats are intolerant to cow's milk. My cats love milk, but I don't give it them for fear of the diarrhea plague that strikes shortly after the consumption of milk. I know they make special milk for cats that's in the cat food aisle.
2006-12-21 04:52:42 · answer #6 · answered by gigi_victory 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but it can give them diarrhea in a large way, especially little kittens. It's best to give goat milk (available at any grocery store in the same section as evaporated milk, Parmalat, etc.) as it's tolerated much better. Diarrhea can kill a kitten, so anything that can cause it should be avoided.
2006-12-21 04:44:44 · answer #7 · answered by lisa r 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I gave my kitten milk, and he was having...digestive problems. I found it the milk was causing the problems ( I didnt know at first). Right after I stopped giving it to him, his stomach seems fine.
Now even if I accidently leave milk out (he loves to drink from my cup) milk is the one thing he won't touch!
2006-12-21 04:50:36 · answer #8 · answered by JSP 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That makes no sense, why would it give cats parasites unless the milk contained parasites, which it doesn't , or we would also get them.
2006-12-21 04:18:34 · answer #9 · answered by Maria b 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I heard it can give them diahrrea but not parasites (unless there are parasites in the milk and any normal person would try to avoid that.)
2006-12-21 05:41:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋