Can Cats Drink Milk?

Many people think of milk as a part of a cat's diet. Pop culture and expressions like "the cat that got the cream" make us believe milk is a healthy treat for our feline friends. But should cats drink milk?

The answer is no; milk is not a part of a cat's diet. In fact, milk is unhealthy and potentially harmful to cats. Most cats are lactose intolerant, meaning they lack the enzyme lactase in their gut, which breaks down lactose. 

Milk is also very fattening for cats and could contribute to obesity if drunk regularly. Cats only need to drink water to stay hydrated — they don't need to drink anything else, including milk.

Licking up a splash of spilled milk is unlikely to make your cat sick. Generally, you should avoid giving your cat a saucer of milk to drink. Milk isn't highly toxic to cats and will usually only make your cat mildly sick. 

Milk has little nutritional value to cats and can cause your cat to gain weight if drunk regularly. The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) in the UK states that a saucer of milk to a cat is the equivalent of eating a 12-inch pizza to a person. On top of a cat's regular diet, milk adds a lot of calories.

Milk is unlikely to make your cat seriously ill, so there's no need to rush to the vet. That said, a saucerful of milk could cause vomiting, diarrhea, and bloating. 

Not all cats are lactose intolerant, so symptoms will vary. Contact your vet if you're concerned or if your cat's symptoms persist for several hours without easing.

Yes, cats like drinking milk. Cats like drinking milk because it's high in fat. But your cat doesn't need this additional fat content if they eat a healthy, balanced diet. 

Despite being lactose intolerant, cats seem to enjoy most forms of dairy, including cream, cheese, and yogurt. Cats will usually ingest dairy products due to the fat and protein content, even though it could make them sick.

You should avoid giving your cat anything to drink other than water. While the main ingredients in many popular milk alternatives, like soy, almonds, coconut, and oats, are safe for cats, they still offer little nutritional value and could upset their stomach. 

Buy some specially-made cat milk if your cat loves milk. The best cat milks are designed by pet nutritionists and contain low levels of lactose, usually around 1%. Cat milk is a great occasional treat for dairy-loving felines as they're high in calcium, promoting teeth and bone health.

Goat's milk is one of the most popular kinds of animal milk in the world — but is it safe for cats to drink goat's milk? While it's not recommended you give your cat goat's milk, it's considered healthier than cow's milk. 

Goat's milk is healthier for your feline friend because it has a lower lactose content than cow's milk. This means cats that are mildly lactose intolerant can tolerate goat's milk better. That said, you should still avoid giving your cat any milk.

Kittens drink milk from their mother, so are they okay to drink cow's milk? The answer is no; kittens shouldn't drink any milk other than cat milk. Kittens also lose the ability to digest their mother's milk once weaned. 

It can actually be more dangerous to feed kittens milk due to their size and age. The inability to digest lactose can cause diarrhea and dehydration, which are more dangerous to kittens. 

Cats only drink for hydration and don't require any daily nutrients from drinking. As long as your cat has access to fresh water and a balanced diet, they'll be happy and healthy. Buy specially formulated cat milk if you want to give your cat a saucer of milk, as it's less likely to upset their stomach.