Food safety
Can Cats Drink Milk? No — Most Cats Are Lactose Intolerant
No, cats should not drink cow's milk, even though the image of a cat lapping a saucer of it is everywhere. Most cats lose much of their ability to digest lactose after weaning, so milk commonly brings gas, bloating and diarrhea. A tiny lick is unlikely to cause harm, but milk is not a treat cats need. Here is why, what to offer instead, and what to do for kittens.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read3 sources
Why milk upsets most cats
Milk contains lactose, a sugar that needs the enzyme lactase to be digested. Kittens make plenty of lactase while they nurse, but in most cats production drops after weaning. VCA Animal Hospitals describes lactose intolerance as a common reaction to food in cats, causing diarrhea, vomiting, bloating and belly discomfort after cow's or goat's milk.
When lactose is not digested, it passes into the colon, where it draws in water and feeds gas-producing bacteria. That is what causes the loose stool and gurgling. The Cornell Feline Health Center does not recommend milk as a treat for the same reason: many cats are lactose intolerant and develop digestive problems from dairy.
If you share a safe morsel, offering it from a shallow cat bowl or hiding it in a puzzle feeder keeps the amount small.
Signs milk disagreed with your cat
Signs usually appear within a few hours to half a day after drinking milk: soft stool or diarrhea, gas, a rumbling belly, vomiting, and sometimes a cat that seems uncomfortable or hides. Most cases are mild and settle within a day once the milk stops.
Call your vet the same day if diarrhea lasts more than a day, there is blood in the stool, your cat stops eating, seems lethargic, or is a kitten, senior or has kidney disease or diabetes. Cats can become dehydrated quickly from diarrhea. Not using the litter box at all, or straining with nothing coming out, needs to be seen today.
Is a small amount ever OK?
Some cats tolerate a little dairy better than others, and Pet Poison Helpline notes that a small amount of dairy now and then may be fine, while a larger amount of milk can cause diarrhea. A single lick from your cereal bowl is unlikely to cause more than a little gas.
Milk is also surprisingly rich. A saucer of whole milk adds a meaningful share of a 10 lb cat's daily calories, and Cornell suggests treats stay within 10 to 15 percent of a cat's intake. So even for a tolerant cat, milk is an occasional sip, not a daily habit.
Kittens: use a kitten milk replacer, never cow's milk
An orphaned or rejected kitten needs a commercial kitten milk replacer formula made for cats, not cow's milk, goat's milk or human infant formula. Cow's milk does not match a kitten's needs and can cause diarrhea that is dangerous in a tiny animal.
If you have found a very young kitten, call a vet or a local shelter for help with feeding amounts and warmth. Once kittens are weaned, around eight weeks, they need fresh water and a complete kitten food, not milk of any kind.
Lactose-free milk, cream and other dairy
Pet milks sold for cats are lactose-reduced and are easier to tolerate, though they still add calories and should be an occasional treat. Lactose-free milk for people causes fewer stomach problems, but it is still rich and unnecessary. Cream, half-and-half and ice cream are high in fat and sugar and are best avoided.
Plant milks such as almond, oat or soy are not toxic in a lick, but they offer cats nothing, and sweetened or flavored versions add sugar. Never give your cat milk as a home remedy for poisoning; Pet Poison Helpline warns against it unless a vet advises it.
What to give your cat instead
Fresh, clean water is the only drink your cat needs. Many cats drink more from a wide bowl kept away from the food bowl, or from a pet water fountain. Wet food also adds a lot of water to the diet, which helps cats that do not drink much.
If you want to treat your cat, a small piece of plain cooked chicken or fish, or a treat made for cats, is a better choice than dairy. Ask your vet before adding anything if your cat has a medical condition.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Why do cats like milk if it is bad for them?
Milk is rich in fat and protein, which cats find appealing, and many cats will happily drink it. Liking a food is not the same as digesting it well, and most adult cats lack enough lactase to handle milk comfortably.
Can kittens drink cow's milk?
No. Kittens need their mother's milk or a commercial kitten milk replacer formula. Cow's milk can cause diarrhea, which is dangerous for small kittens. Call a vet or shelter for help if you are caring for an orphaned kitten.
Can cats drink lactose-free milk?
Lactose-free milk is less likely to cause diarrhea, but it still adds fat and calories a cat does not need. Cat milks made for pets are a better occasional treat, and fresh water should always be the main drink.
Can cats drink almond milk or oat milk?
A small lick of unsweetened plant milk is not toxic, but it has no benefit for cats and may still upset the stomach. Avoid sweetened and flavored versions. Water is the best drink for a cat.
What should I do if my cat drank milk and has diarrhea?
Stop the milk, keep fresh water available, and feed your cat's usual diet. Call your vet if the diarrhea lasts more than a day, contains blood, or your cat stops eating, seems lethargic or is a kitten or senior.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
