Can Cats Drink Milk? No! Try These Feline Friendly Milk Substitutes

Almost every cartoon cat has been seen drinking milk — at least a few times! Cats lapping milk from a dish has been a popular image in our culture for decades. It's often seen as being okay to give our cats some milk as a treat. But you may want to stop that tradition and drink their mother's milk, stat!

 

 

So, can cats drink milk? The short and definite answer is no. Let's examine why cats and milk don't mix in real life and why mother cat's milk should be left to the on-screen cartoon kitties.

 

 

Can Cats Drink Milk?

While there’s no denying that your cat would willingly drink some milk if you placed it in front of them, we’re not here to discuss if your cats love milk or enjoy cow’s milk. We’re here to tell you that cats should not drink cow’s milk. Since your cat can’t choose its diet, it’s up to you to provide them with healthy CBD Cat treats and avoid unhealthy ingredients. That means it’s up to you to keep milk away from them!

 

 

Milk does not contain the essential nutrients that cats require to grow properly. So right away, milk is not a beneficial choice for cats milk, even in small amounts. But too much milk can harm cats, making them too full to eat their proper diet and even causing nutritionally deficient diseases. The biggest problem with a cat drinking milk is that adult cats cannot digest it — we’ll talk about that in a bit.

 

 

What Type of Milk Can Cats Drink?

What kind of milk can cats drink? It’s probably not the best idea to see if your cat can handle cow's milk or not, since there’s such a big risk if the milk doesn’t agree with them. Many cats are lactose intolerant and may experience negative reactions, such as digestive or upset stomach. But there's a lot of best milk for cats, if your cat tries milk and they don’t have diarrhea or any other negative reactions, there are some types of milk cats can drink. You can give your cat whole, skim, or lactose-free milk in very small amounts. You might want to try cream as an alternative since it has less lactose.

 

 

But remember: It’s much safer for your cat to avoid milk altogether!

 

 

How often can Cats Drink Milk?

If you believe your cat can tolerate milk, you might be curious about how much and how often you can give it. It's always important to consult your vet before introducing milk into your cat's diet. With your vet's approval, you can offer your adult cat cow’s milk once or twice a week, but no more than one tablespoon at a time.

 

 

Think of it as a special treat, like dessert for your cat. If your cat doesn't react well to cow’s milk, consider switching to a lower-lactose option, such as lactose-free milk.

 

Can Kittens Drink Milk?

Kittens rely on their mother’s milk just like human babies, as it provides all the essential nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong. Kittens can digest their mother’s milk because their bodies produce the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose, the sugar in milk. When kittens consume their mother’s milk, lactase converts the lactose into two simple sugars, glucose and galactose, which are easily absorbed into their bloodstream.

 

So, what type of milk do kittens drink? Typically, kittens are weaned off their mother’s milk by four to five weeks of age. After weaning, they lose the ability to produce enough lactase and often become lactose intolerant. While kittens can digest their mother’s milk, they should not drink cow’s milk. Since they lack the necessary enzymes to properly break down the sugars in cow’s milk, it can lead to diarrhea or dehydration.

 

 

Are Cats Lactose Intolerant?

Okay, so why can’t most cats digest milk? They’re lactose intolerant! That means most cats don’t have the enzyme necessary for digesting lactose. Cats crave milk, and being lactose intolerant is normal for cats — and humans. Around 65% of humans are lactose intolerant, and they won’t drink a glass of milk — or consume ice cream, cheese, or other dairy — because it simply makes them feel unwell.

 

 

What Happens if Cats Drink Milk?

is milk safe for cats? When kittens drink milk, the undigested lactose will stay inside their intestines instead of passing through the system. The milk will ferment, making the high fat found in most milk even more damaging to a cat’s diet and health. Including milk in a cat's diet can lead to serious health issues due to lactose intolerance, and it should only be an occasional treat, making milk supplement up no more than 10 percent of their caloric intake.

 

 

The other complications that could potentially happen from drinking milk include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Extreme bloating
• Feeling unwell and lethargic
• Pain and discomfort
• Loss of appetite
• Increase in destructive behavior like scratching
• Gastrointestinal diseases and complications

 

 

Alternatives for Your Cat

What kind of milk can cats have? There are lactose-free milk substitutes for cats! One is CatSip, specifically developed to lessen the risk of a cat's digestive problems. CatSure is a balanced liquid nutritional meal. Its high-quality protein and amino acids are great for adult and senior cats. For cats that can tolerate milk, consult your vet before incorporating it into their diet and consider alternatives if they react negatively. These dairy products are great alternatives for your cat! Just remember that cat milk is often fattening and still not a necessary part of your cat’s diet.

 

 

The best alternative to solid food for a cat is water. Cats are notoriously known to become dehydrated. A lot of cats aren’t big water drinkers and can be picky about the water source. If you are worried your cat isn’t drinking enough liquids, try a water fountain. Cats are naturally drawn to running water, so you’ll often see them playing with the faucet or drinking out of the toilet.

 

 

If your cat still isn’t drinking enough water, try switching to a wet food diet — either cat food or half dry food and half wet food. Wet food has around 78% water, helping hydrate a more stubborn kitty.

 

 

Final Thoughts

So, can a cat drink goat milk then? The short answer is: No, cats can't. Kitties are lactose intolerant, meaning they can't digest lactose. This can lead to a lot of complications from an upset tummy all the way to life-altering diseases. While there are some cat milk alternatives, the best thing to do is to provide your cat with healthy  CBD Cat treats and plenty of water.