Can Cats Drink Milk?
QUICK ANSWER
Most adult cats should not drink cow's milk because they're lactose intolerant. Milk can cause diarrhea, gas, bloating, and stomach discomfort. Kittens can digest their mother's milk but lose that ability as they mature. Cat-specific milk products (lactose-free) are available if you want to offer milk as a treat.
The image of a cat happily lapping up a saucer of milk is one of the most enduring and most misleading pet myths. Most cats shouldn't have cow's milk at all. Here's why.
Why can't most cats handle milk?
Like most mammals, cats produce the enzyme lactase during infancy to digest the lactose in their mother's milk. After weaning (around 8 weeks), lactase production drops significantly. By adulthood, most cats produce very little lactase, which means the lactose in cow's milk passes through undigested, ferments in the gut, and causes gas, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. This is the same mechanism behind lactose intolerance in humans. According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, the majority of adult cats are lactose intolerant to some degree.
Can kittens drink cow's milk?
Kittens should drink their mother's milk or a commercial kitten milk replacer (KMR), not cow's milk. Cow's milk has a different nutritional profile than cat milk: it's lower in protein and fat and higher in lactose than what kittens need. Feeding cow's milk to orphaned kittens can cause diarrhea and nutritional deficiencies. KMR is specifically formulated to match the composition of cat milk and is the only safe substitute.
What about lactose-free milk?
Lactose-free cow's milk or cat-specific milk products (like CatSip or Whiskas Cat Milk) are safe alternatives if you want to offer your cat milk as a treat. These products have the lactose pre-broken down, so they're digestible without causing GI upset. They're a treat, not a nutritional necessity, but they satisfy the milk craving safely for cats that enjoy it.
Does my cat need any liquid besides water?
No. Fresh, clean water is the only liquid cats need. Many cats don't drink enough water, which can contribute to urinary and kidney problems, so encouraging hydration is important. A water fountain (cats often prefer moving water), multiple water stations around the house, and wet food (which is about 78% moisture) are all effective ways to increase fluid intake. Milk, broth, and other liquids are extras, not requirements.
The saucer of milk belongs in cartoons, not in your kitchen. Most adult cats can't digest it properly, and they don't need it. Stick with water, and if your cat really loves the milk experience, use a lactose-free option made for cats.
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