Can Bengal Cats Drink Milk?

If you’ve ever seen a cat in a cartoon, then chances are it was drinking milk at some stage.

But can Bengal cats drink milk?

In this article we are going to look at whether or not milk is a suitable drink option for Bengal cats.

Milk Isn’t A Great Choice For Bengal Cats

Like all other breeds of cats, most Bengal cats struggle to properly digest milk.

Milk consumption can lead to stomach upset, diarrhoea and vomiting – not exactly what you want for your beloved pet.

But why does this happen?

Basically, when cats are born they have an enzyme in their gut called “lactase”. This helps with breaking down “lactose”, which is the main sugar in milk that is responsible for providing so much energy.

However, as cats age they gradually lose this lactase and don’t get it back.

When the adult Bengal cat drinks milk, the lactose will ferment in the gut and can cause intestinal discomfort, vomiting and other issues.

Not all cats are as lactose-intolerant as others.

We have all heard stories (or maybe seen with our own eyes) cats of different breeds that are seemingly able to drink human milk with absolutely no problems.

However, even if your cat does seem to react fine to cow’s milk, it is probably best not to allow them to have any.

You can buy special lactose-free cat/pet milk as an occasional treat instead.

Conclusion

Therefore, if you’re wondering whether or Bengal cats can drink milk, it’s best to be on the safe side and not give milk to them.

Although some cats can drink milk without any apparent issues, they are few and far between. Milk is also quite high in calories, and being overweight is not good for the health of your Bengal cat.

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