In nature, mammals grow up feeding on their mother's milk. The same principle of course applies to litters of puppies and kittens. This milk is fortified with efficient antibodies that will aid the puppy or kitten through the most vulnerable phases of their lives. In particular, the first milk produced right after the puppies or kittens are born is called 'colustrum' and it is particularly rich in antibodies and vital nutrients.
This special milk is usually present for the first few days, then it is gradually replaced by a richer, calorie-dense milk. Puppies and kittens that are orphans or are unable to use this important milk start their lives disadvantaged because while there are effective milk replacements products sold at pet stores, such milk replacements will never match the nutrients naturally produced by their mother's colostrum.
The closest milk resembling the milk produced by a puppy's or kitten's mother is raw goat milk. This milk is one of the most popular milk substitutes used in the case of orphaned puppies and kittens.
Why Cats Cannot Tolerate Milk
It is important to notice that in nature, milk appears in diets of cats and dogs only through the phases of kittenhood and puppyhood. Then, once weaned both puppies and kittens will gradually lose their ability to produce a special enzyme known as 'lactase'. Lactase is basically what helps puppies and kittens digest the milk's sugar known as 'lactose'. This easily explains why most adult dogs and cats have trouble digesting milk offered by their owners.
Indeed, most dogs and cats are lactose intolerant, which mean that they are unable to digest milk properly often resulting in unpleasant side effects such as bloating, flatulence, stomach upset and ultimately, diarrhea. This intolerance is permanent, because in nature dogs and cats no longer need milk in their diets as they grow older. This applies to most types of milk including but not limited to pasteurized, homogenized and condensed milk.
Dairy Products That are Better Digested by Cats
However, there are some forms of dairy products that may be more readily digested by both dogs and cats. Other than raw goat milk, other sources of dairy products containing beneficial bacteria are plain yogurt, kefir and fermented milk products. In particular, dairy products with probiotics may be very helpful in pets undergoing antibiotic treatment as these products help replenish the good bacteria found in the pet's gut.
While most cats and dogs have difficulty digesting milk, some may tolerate it very well if given in small amounts. If this is the case, these pets may benefit from the healthy dosages of calcium, proteins and minerals that milk provides.
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