Should you feed your cat milk? Here is what you should know before you do

Many cat owners continue to give their cats milk well into adulthood as they believe that it is critical to them living long, healthy lives.

However, many might be surprised to know that milk isn’t the best drink for cats, water is.

So should you give your cat over-the-counter milk? No, cats should not have full-fat cow’s milk as most cats are lactose intolerant.

Keep reading to find out why you shouldn’t give your cat cows milk, what type of milk is best for cats, and when they should be weaned.

Should I give my adult cat milk or water?

Cats will usually start slowly weaning their kittens as early as 4 weeks, ideally, they will be eating solid food by 8-10 weeks.  If you have a kitten younger than 6 weeks you can feed a milk replacement, kitten milk replacer, like the ones listed below.  If they are 6 weeks or older you can begin weaning them and giving them either soft food with some milk replacement (until 8 weeks) or dry food.  If the dry food is too hard for them to eat, you can add a little water.   While milk does have a water content, cats should have water at all times as consuming milk alone won’t supply them with all the essential nutrients they need.

What is the best milk to choose for weaning kittens?

Refrain from feeding cow’s milk or any other milk besides kitten replacement which is specially formulated for kittens, it includes the right amount of crude protein, fat, and colostrum.

Typical weaning times are as follows

• 4-5 weeks: give wet or moistened dry food, mixed with formula to form a slush. 
• 5-6 weeks:  the kittens should be able to eat kibble mixed with a little water
• 6-7 weeks: kittens should be almost weaned and eating small, bite-sized kibble
• 8 weeks: kittens should be fully weaned and do not need milk

Can cats drink milk? Is milk bad for my cat? Do cats need milk? Is milk healthy for cats?

Milk is not bad for some cats per se, but they do not need it post-weaning. It can be bad for cats that have diseases like IBS or those that are lactose intolerant

Whole milk can add unnecessary unhealthy fat to your cat’s diet.  There are over-the-counter diets that have milk in them and won’t cause stomach upset.

Cats like many other animals can have irritable bowel and giving them milk can exacerbate the issue greatly

Why does my cat like milk so much?

Cats really enjoy milk because it has a high fat content.  If you want to give some to your cat as a treat, feel free to give them a small amount, but they should still always have access to fresh, clean water.  You can also add a small amount of milk to their food as it is easy to mix into wet food.  Refrain from simply pouring milk over their dry food as it is not easily blended and your cat will most likely lap up the milk and leave the kibble.  

Can cats be lactose intolerant?

Yes, cats can be lactose intolerant.  Many cats, like most mammals, no longer have the enzyme to break down lactose into digestible single sugars after weaning and can no longer drink milk without some stomach upset.  Sore stomach, diarrhea, bloating, gas, and in severe cases vomiting.

What is the best milk to give my cat as a treat?

If you must give your cat milk as a treat first research the lactose concentration of the milk as the higher the concentration the more likely it is to upset your kitty’s stomach.

For example, human milk contains 7% lactose, cow milk contains about 5% lactose, and goat milk contains approximately 4%. If you are going to add milk to your cat’s meals, try a small amount of goat milk or lactose-free milk from the pet store specifically made for cats.

Why is there a myth that cats should be given milk?

Most people think they should only give their cats milk and not water because of older cartoons and the fact that cats really do enjoy milk.

Can cats drink almond milk? Can cats drink soy milk? Can cats drink oat milk?

• A couple of sips of plain almond, oat, or soy milk, preferably made at home, will not be bad for your kitten. However, there are some things to keep in mind:
• Cats can have allergies to almond and soy so if you find that your cat begins to scratch or show signs of a food allergy after giving them either milk refrain from doing so in the future
• Almond, soy, and oat milk usually come with empty and unnecessary calories. If you decide to feed your cats either milk do so in moderation, a couple of licks is fine. A cup of soy or almond milk contains around 100 calories and an average ten-pound cat only needs about 200 calories a day (Pets Best)
• Some nut milk and oat milk are sweetened with added sugars or worse xylitol which can be toxic

Can cats drink chocolate milk?

No cats should never drink chocolate milk because not only is it highly likely to cause some stomach upset it can also be life-threatening due to the theobromine content. In fact, cats should never get chocolate, to read more about cats and chocolate read our article here.

What could happen if I give my cat milk?

Most likely your cat will suffer from some gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea or maybe even vomiting. They may also have a sore stomach.

If you were to feed your cat chocolate milk that can be life-threatening and result in seizures and maybe even death depending on how much they drank. Read about cats and chocolate here.

Should I give my kitten baby formula?

No, you should not give your kitten baby formula. If you have a kitten that is younger than 8 weeks and needs supplemental nursing formula use a kitten formula made for their digestive systems. If you have an adult cat you should refrain from feeding baby formula as they are probably lactose intolerant and it can cause gi upset and diarrhea.

Human baby formula is not constituted to be nutritiously fit for kittens so you are better off using an actual kitten formula.

What is the best kitten formula?

KMR is by far one of the leading makers of kitten formulas. Although, many of the supplemental milk formulas for kittens have the same ingredients.

If you decide to give your cat any type of milk, cow, oat, or almond, moderation is key!

Know someone with a new kitten? Consider sharing this article with them!