Can You Give Milk to Cats? A Veterinarian’s Answer

Pet owners often wonder if they can give milk to their cats, and if so, how much is safe. We gathered key information with the help of a veterinarian.

Don’t be misled by pictures of cats happily lapping up milk! For adult cats, milk has almost no nutritional value, and it can even be harmful.

Why You Shouldn’t Give Milk to Cats

Like most mammals, including humans, cats are generally lactose intolerant. Without the enzyme lactase, they can’t break down lactose (milk sugar).

An adult cat is an obligate carnivore, so it primarily consumes meat and water. This means milk does not serve as food for them,

explains Dr. Andrea Bodó, veterinarian.

The specialist added that, unlike kittens, adult cats’ bodies no longer produce enough lactase to digest lactose, which can lead to unpleasant symptoms like bloating, abdominal discomfort, or even diarrhea.

It Can Increase the Risk of Obesity

The issue with milk isn’t just that it can upset a cat’s stomach or that it has little nutritional value. You also need to consider that even one cup of skim milk contains 83 calories, so giving milk regularly could lead to weight problems.

Kittens Don’t Need Cow’s Milk Either

Although kittens can digest some lactose, they can’t handle the high amount found in cow’s milk, which has nearly three times the lactose of their mother’s milk.

They may not experience diarrhea, but they won’t get enough nutrients for proper growth either.

If you need to raise an orphaned kitten, feed it specially formulated milk replacer for kittens, available at pet stores. This meets their nutritional needs without causing painful digestive issues.

Don’t Experiment on Your Cat!

The veterinarian emphasizes that if your cat has ever reacted badly to milk, it should only receive water in the future. However, as an occasional treat, you can offer specially formulated “cat milk.” If your cat is one of the rare few that can digest lactose, it may occasionally drink cow’s milk or other milk types.

If you’re unsure whether your cat is lactose-intolerant, the expert advises against testing it. Stick to water, or occasionally give cat milk if you’re determined to provide some form of milk.

Can Cats Drink Plant-Based Milks?

With the growing variety of milk alternatives on the market, some people turn to plant-based options, such as rice, soy, almond, or oat milk, for dietary reasons or vegan preferences. Since these drinks don’t contain lactose, you might think they’re safe for your pet.