Can Cats Drink Milk? Safer Alternatives & What to Avoid

Imagine this: It’s a cozy morning and you’re pouring yourself a bowl of cereal. In a flash, your beloved cat Mittens hops onto the counter, eyes wide and nose twitching at the scent of milk. She meows pleadingly.

You recall those classic storybooks and cartoons – a kitty happily lapping up a saucer of milk by the hearth. It tugs at your heart: giving her a little milk feels like a loving, indulgent treat.

But you hesitate, remembering whispers that milk might not be good for cats. What’s the truth? Can cats drink milk safely, or is it a recipe for an upset feline tummy? 

In this article. We’ll explore why cats are drawn to milk, the science of cat lactose intolerance, the effects of different types of milk (cow, goat, lactose-free, plant-based), and healthy alternatives for keeping your furry friend happy and hydrated. Let’s dive in, one curious question at a time.

A classic image of a cat lapping up milk. It looks endearing, but is it really good for them?

Why Do Cats Seem to Love Milk So Much?

Cats and milk are an iconic duo in pop culture, but why are cats so attracted to dairy in the first place? The answer lies in cat psychology and senses.

Cats don’t have a strong sweet tooth – in fact, they can barely taste sweetness – but they love the taste and smell of fat and protein. Milk (especially whole milk or cream) is rich in fats and proteins, which produce a strong enticing aroma. 

To a cat, a creamy glass of milk smells like a delicious high-fat treat. Their keen sense of smell picks up those fatty scents easily, and their taste buds are geared to enjoy high-fat, high-protein flavors.

So even if milk might upset their stomach later, many cats will still eagerly sniff it out and take a sip if given the chance.

There’s also a historical aspect. Why do we always picture cats with saucers of milk? This old-fashioned image likely dates back to barnyard days.

Generations ago, cats on farms would sneak a taste of warm, fresh cow’s milk – particularly the thick cream that rose to the top of unhomogenized milk. That cream was mostly fat and had relatively low lactose (milk sugar), so cats could handle it better than today’s store-bought milk.

Over time, seeing cats enjoy milk became a common sight and found its way into our stories and media. In reality, the milk we buy now has less fat and relatively more lactose, making it harder on cats’ digestion.

Can Cats Drink Milk? Understanding Lactose Intolerance in Cats

So, is milk good for cats? In most cases, no. The majority of adult cats are lactose intolerant. This means that unlike kittens, grown cats can’t properly digest lactose, the main sugar in milk. Let’s break down the science in a simple way:

Kittens have lactase

When newborn kittens nurse from their mother, their bodies produce plenty of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose (milk sugar) in mother’s milk. This is natural – they need to digest their mom’s milk during infancy.

Lactase fades after weaning

After weaning (once a kitten transitions to solid food), cats produce much less lactase. In the wild, adult cats would not encounter milk regularly, so their bodies “turn off” the lactose-digesting enzyme. By adulthood, most cats have minimal to no lactase enzyme.

Undigested lactose causes trouble

If an adult cat drinks milk (or eats dairy like cheese, ice cream, etc.), the unbroken lactose travels through the small intestine without being absorbed. It then reaches the large intestine where bacteria ferment that sugar. This fermentation produces gas and acids, leading to gastrointestinal upset.

What does a lactose intolerant cat look like?

Usually within 8–12 hours after drinking milk, a cat will start showing signs of digestive distress. Typical symptoms of lactose intolerance in cats include: bloating (swollen belly), gas, diarrhea, and vomiting.

You might notice your cat acting uncomfortable, having loose stools in the litter box, or even vomiting on the carpet. They can get crampy abdominal pain and flatulence that leaves them miserable.

It’s similar to what lactose-intolerant people experience after eating dairy – an upset stomach, gurgling guts, and lots of trips to the bathroom.

Is Milk Ever Good for Cats? (Even If They Seem to Tolerate It)

Let’s address another common question: “My cat doesn’t get diarrhea from milk – does that mean milk is okay for them?” Even if your adult cat isn’t visibly lactose intolerant, cow’s milk still isn’t a healthy choice for cats. Here’s why:

High Fat & Calories

Milk (especially whole milk or cream) is very rich in fat. Cats in the wild get fat primarily from eating meat, and commercial cat foods are formulated with the right balance of protein and fat. Adding a bunch of milk fat on top can lead to excess calories and weight gain.

A startling comparison: “A saucer of milk for a cat is the calorie equivalent of a human eating a 12-inch pizza by themselves,” notes veterinarian Dr. Erin Downes.

Imagine if you ate a whole pizza every day in addition to your regular meals – you’d likely pack on pounds quickly. Similarly, a cat getting a daily bowl of milk (on top of meals) is at high risk of becoming overweight or obese. 

Obesity in cats leads to many health issues (diabetes, joint problems, heart stress), so we want to avoid those extra empty calories.

Nutritional Imbalance

Milk is formulated by nature for baby cows (or goats, etc.), not for cats. It lacks several essential nutrients that cats need, while overloading others they don’t need in such quantity.

For instance, milk is low in iron and taurine, two nutrients cats must obtain from meat. It’s also not a significant source of the protein types cats thrive on.

Feeding a lot of milk could fill up your cat’s stomach and displace the appetite for proper cat food, resulting in malnutrition over time. Think of milk as junk food for cats – yummy, calorie-dense, but not nutritionally appropriate.

Potential for Pancreatitis

The high fat content in dairy can, in some cats, trigger pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), a serious condition. This is more common when cats consume very fatty foods (like bacon, or even drinking a lot of cream).

While a small splash of milk is unlikely to cause pancreatitis outright, regularly giving fatty treats raises the risk of upsetting the digestive system’s delicate balance.

No Real Hydration Benefit

Some people offer milk because they think it’s a way to keep their cat hydrated (since it’s liquid). But milk is absolutely not a substitute for water. In fact, the dehydration from diarrhea that milk can cause will leave your cat less hydrated overall.

Even lactose-free milk (which we’ll get to shortly) doesn’t hydrate as effectively as pure water, and it adds unnecessary calories.

In short, even cats that aren’t overtly lactose intolerant shouldn’t drink milk regularly. Veterinary experts agree that “dairy milk isn’t the best choice for cats, even though they love the flavor”. The risks (weight gain, poor nutrition, digestive upset) outweigh any momentary enjoyment they get lapping up milk.

Different Types of Milk: Are Any Safe for Cats?

You might be wondering about various “milk alternatives for cats” you’ve heard of. Pet owners often ask about things like goat’s milk, lactose-free milk, or plant-based “milks” (such as almond milk or soy milk).

Let’s break down the common types of milk and how they stack up for kitty consumption. The table below gives a quick overview:

A note on goat’s milk: Some holistic pet enthusiasts use frozen or fermented goat’s milk for cats in very small doses, claiming it has probiotics and is easier to digest.

It’s true that fermented dairy (like yogurt or kefir) has lower lactose and can be somewhat easier on lactose-intolerant pets. And raw goat’s milk contains its own lactase enzyme which can help digestion until pasteurization destroys it.

However, these are special cases, often under guidance of a vet. For the average pet owner, it’s safer to skip experimenting with goat’s milk as a daily treat. 

If your vet specifically recommends a product like goat milk for health reasons (e.g. for a cat with certain medical needs), then follow their advice. Otherwise, water and balanced cat food are all your cat truly needs.

Takeaway: Water is the only liquid your adult cat needs (aside from mother’s milk for kittens).

What Should Cats Drink Instead of Milk?

The answer here is blessedly simple: Cats should drink water. Fresh, clean water – every day, always available. Water is vital for cats, just like for any living creature.

In fact, proper hydration is key to preventing issues like urinary tract infections and kidney problems in cats, which are common when cats don’t get enough fluids.

However, cats are notoriously finicky drinkers. Many cats don’t seem to drink a lot of water on their own, especially if they eat wet food (which itself contains ~70-80% water). Don’t let that tempt you into offering milk for “hydration.” 

There are far better ways to encourage a cat to drink more water if you’re worried they aren’t drinking enough:

Conclusion

At the end of the day, we all want our cats to live long, healthy, and happy lives. Part of that means making smart decisions about their diet and not giving in to every adorable begging session. 

It might feel sentimental to offer milk – after all, it’s been romanticized as a gesture of kindness to cats – but remember that your cat trusts you to do what’s best for them.

Sometimes, love means a little tough love, like not indulging in a treat that will cause harm.

In summary: Can cats drink milk? They can physically drink it, yes, but they shouldn’t. 

Choosing health over emotional indulgence is one of the best ways to show your love. Snuggle them, play with them, feed them species-appropriate meals, and you’ll have a best friend for years to come

Want to learn more about your cat’s diet?