Can Cats Drink Milk? Safe Alternatives and Nutrition Tips

Few images are more classic than a cat lapping up milk from a bowl. But before you let yourself or your kids leave out a treat for the neighborhood kitties, it’s important to ask: Can cats drink milk? Is milk bad for cats? The answer may surprise you.

While the occasional treat might not harm every cat, most adult cats are lactose intolerant and should avoid cow’s milk.

Read on to learn more about cats and dairy, lactose intolerance in cats, and safe milk alternatives for cats to keep your feline friend happy and healthy.

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Do Cats Naturally Drink Milk?

Why do people think cats drink milk? Historically, cats have been portrayed enjoying milk in everything from children’s books to cartoons. This cultural perception stems from farm life, where cats would be given a squirt of milk directly from dairy cows or cluster around a saucer left out by farmers. But in reality, kittens are the only cats naturally equipped to digest milk.

Kittens drink their mother’s milk for the first four weeks of their lives. It contains all the essential nutrients baby cats need for growth and development. Learn more about kitten growth and development timelines here.

During the nursing stage, kittens produce lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose, the sugar found in milk. As kittens are weaned and transition to solid food, though, most cats lose much of their ability to produce lactase. While about 65% of humans are lactose intolerant to some extent, scientists say it’s the norm for cats.

Nutrition-wise, cow’s milk is not a good fit for cats’ dietary needs. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to derive nutrients primarily from meat. They thrive on high-protein diets.

A growing kitten’s diet should be, at a minimum, 30% protein, and adult cats need 26% protein diets, according to the Merck Manual, the guide followed by veterinarians around the world. Milk is only 3.5% protein.

While milk offers some protein and fat, it’s far from the ideal ratio for cats—and milk lacks essential nutrients cats need to function that are found in meat, such as taurine.

The bottom line: Feeding milk to cats seems cute—but it’s not an effective way to meet their nutritional needs, and there’s no Lactaid for cats. Too much milk, and your cat will get an upset stomach. Neither of you wants that.

Lactose Intolerance in Cats

Lactose intolerance is common in cats. After weaning, most adult cats don’t produce enough lactase to properly digest lactose, the primary sugar in milk. When lactose isn’t properly broken down in the digestive system, it can ferment in the intestines, leading to an upset stomach.

Common symptoms of lactose intolerance in cats include:

A small amount of milk—just a few laps from your cereal bowl, for instance, is typically not a big deal. But regularly feeding milk to lactose-intolerant cats can lead to chronic digestive issues, dehydration from diarrhea, weight gain, and general discomfort.

The guidance is similar for plant-based alternatives like almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk. They’re not natural components of a cat’s diet. A little won’t hurt, but you shouldn’t go out of your way to give it to your cat either.

While plant milk is typically lactose-free, other ingredients like sugar and additives could still lead to an upset stomach. High-calorie plant milk like coconut milk could also contribute to unnecessary weight gain.

So, is milk bad for cats? For most adult cats, the answer is yes—it’s simply not worth the risk of gastrointestinal distress (in fact, dairy tops our list for human foods to not give cats).

Safe Milk Options for Cats

If you want to give your cat a milk-like treat, there are safer alternatives to regular cow’s milk and plant-based milks designed for human consumption. The key is choosing options that won’t upset your cat’s digestive system.

Commercial “cat milk” products like Whiskas Cat Milk are specially formulated for cats. These products are lactose-free or have significantly reduced lactose content plus essential cat nutrients, making them safe for cats. They may be recommended for cats who need to gain weight or cannot eat solid foods due to health problems.

Unless it’s veterinarian-recommended, any milk should be given to cats as an occasional treat—not a daily food source. Milk for adult cats should never replace balanced, appropriate cat food and fresh water.

Kittens and Milk

Kitten milk—meaning their mother’s milk—is essential for newborn cats. Mother’s milk provides antibodies, the perfect balance of nutrients, and everything a growing kitten needs during the first weeks of life. This is the only truly appropriate milk for kittens.

If you’re caring for orphaned kittens or their mother cannot nurse, never use cow’s milk as a substitute and consult a veterinarian immediately. Cow’s milk doesn’t contain the right nutritional profile kittens need and can cause severe diarrhea and malnutrition.

The best option is to use a commercial kitten milk replacement formula (KMR) like PetAg KMR kitten milk replacer liquid. Kitten formula is specifically designed to mimic the composition of a mother cat’s milk.

Kittens are typically weaned between 4-8 weeks of age. This process should be gradual, introducing moist kitten food while reducing milk intake. By around 6-7 weeks, kittens should be eating solid kitten food and drinking water. Forcing this timeline or weaning too quickly can cause stress and health issues, so it’s important to let kittens transition naturally.

Once weaned, even young cats begin to lose their ability to digest lactose. This is why cow’s milk is not suitable for kittens beyond the nursing stage—they’re already on their way to becoming lactose intolerant like adult cats.

Alternatives to Milk for Treating Cats

There are so many ways to treat cats that don’t result in an upset stomach. If your cat is at risk of dehydration due to a health condition, these treats can also supplement their water intake to help them stay hydrated, per the Cornell Feline Health Center.

Here are veterinarian-approved ways to add enrichment to your cat’s life without wrecking their diet:

Avoid salty liquids like brine or stocks made with seasonings such as onion powder or onion, which are toxic to cats. Learn more about preventing dehydration in cats here.

Cats Don’t Need Cow’s Milk

If you had any doubt, it should be clear by now: Adult cats should avoid cow’s milk. A multitude of safe alternatives are available, from cat treats to cat fountains. If your cat has ingested milk, monitor them for symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting.

Ensure fresh water access to prevent dehydration. If their symptoms persist beyond 24 hours or are severe, contact your veterinarian for support.