The lactose problem

Many cats, like many humans, are lactose intolerant—that is, their digestive systems don’t produce the enzymes needed to break down lactose, one of the sugars present in cows’ milk. The end result (pardon the pun) is usually diarrhea, for either the person or the cat.

This needs to be kept in mind by doting cat owners who like to reward their pets with milk or cream, which all cats love. Most cats have no problem at all with milk, but owners who notice a milk-diarrhea connection ought to do the obvious thing and cut back or eliminate the milk they give to their pets.