Can Cats Actually Drink Milk?

In this guide

Adapted from a Rover.com feature on feline dairy tolerance.

Picture a cat treat, and there's a good chance a bowl of cow's milk comes to mind. It's a deeply embedded image, and it comes from somewhere real: for much of history, cats lived on farms hunting rodents and keeping an eye on the livestock, and they developed a genuine fondness for cream and its high fat content — especially fresh milk straight from the cow, with the cream still risen to the top.

The milk sold in supermarkets today is a different product entirely — low in fat and largely indigestible for most domestic cats. So can cats drink milk? Not really.

Kittens and their mother's milk

Kittens rely on their mother's milk after birth, and according to VCA Hospitals, the only period in a cat's life when their body reliably produces enough lactase — the enzyme needed to digest lactose — is at birth and through roughly the first 12 weeks of life. Mother cats generally nurse for about that same 12-week window, after which the lactase enzyme largely disappears and kittens lose the ability to properly digest milk. Once their teeth come in, kittens naturally wean off milk and move on to solid food.

For rescued kittens, or any kitten unable to nurse from its mother, a proper kitten formula — not cow's or goat's milk — is the safest substitute.

Is milk actually bad for cats?

Even cats that seem to tolerate and enjoy milk generally shouldn't have it — most veterinarians don't recommend it, since cats have no nutritional need for dairy and the potential downsides outweigh any benefit. Dr. Sara Ochoa, a small-animal and exotic veterinarian based in east Texas and a veterinary consultant for doglab.com, notes that small amounts of milk won't cause major problems even though they're unnecessary — but larger quantities can bring on gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea.

The underlying issue is that most adult cats lack sufficient lactase to properly digest the lactose in cow's milk — in other words, they're lactose intolerant. Undigested lactose stays in the intestines rather than passing into the bloodstream and ends up fermenting there. Whole, 2%, and skim cow's milk can also add unwelcome amounts of fat to a cat's diet.

How to tell if your cat reacts badly to milk

Offering a tablespoon or two of milk is a reasonable way to test tolerance — if no symptoms appear within a day, your cat is likely fine with milk as an occasional treat. Lactose intolerance symptoms typically show up within eight to twelve hours of drinking milk, and can include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Abdominal pain and discomfort
• Increased scratching

A lethargic cat, or one spending unusual amounts of time in the litter box, may also be showing signs of intolerance — and it's worth double-checking your cat's regular food too, since some formulations include small amounts of milk products.

Better treat alternatives

According to WebMD, treats generally shouldn't exceed 10 percent of a cat's daily calorie intake. Interestingly, some cats that react badly to milk have no trouble with other dairy — yogurt, cheese, butter, or ice cream — since these are often diluted with water or other ingredients, or have been cultured in a way that partially breaks down the lactose.

If you'd still like to offer milk occasionally, a small amount of lactose-free milk, full-fat cream, or genuine goat's milk from a local dairy is a gentler option. But truthfully, milk-based treats aren't necessary — there are plenty of other cat-safe treats that won't upset your cat's stomach.

As always, check with your vet and stick to a balanced diet overall. And ultimately, water remains the best thing for a cat to drink — a cat water fountain can make it more appealing if your cat needs encouragement.

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