Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Is milk good or bad for cats? Here’s the truth

We’ve all seen pictures of kitties gathered around a saucer of milk. You may have even heard that milk is a great treat for cats or that cats need milk to be healthy and strong. While it’s true that kittens need milk from their mother to grow, milk might not be a good option for an adult cat. Whether you want to support your cat’s health or give your cat a treat, it’s important to understand how milk affects your cat’s digestion. So, is milk bad for cats? Giving cats cow’s milk might be a popular custom, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your cat.

White kitten being hand fed milk from a bottle
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Is milk bad for cats?

Some cats aren’t able to digest lactose, which is a sugar found in dairy products. Kittens have an enzyme called lactase, which allows them to digest their mother’s milk when they’re young. However, as kittens grow, their bodies produce less lactase, and eventually they can no longer digest lactose.

When cats can’t digest lactose, it lingers in their intestines. There it can cause all sorts of unpleasant symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and even weight loss and a diminished appetite.

What’s more, cow’s milk really isn’t good for cats, even if they can digest it. Cats don’t have any nutritional need for cow’s milk, and it’s also highly fatty. In fact, it’s more nutritionally harmful than helpful.

Is dairy bad for cats?

Some dairy products are bad for cats, but others might not be a problem. According to Pet MD, dairy products like milk are problematic because of their high lactose content, but other dairy foods like cheese aren’t as bad, particularly if you feed your cat a little at a time. Using a bit of cheese to conceal a pill may be just fine, but be sure to monitor your cat for signs of digestive upset.

You can also give your cat a little taste of ice cream as a treat, but remember that it’s not ideal. Ice cream contains sugar, which isn’t great for your cat. If you do offer your cat ice cream, avoid a sugar-free option, since many artificial sweeteners are toxic to cats.

What should cats drink instead of milk?

Adult cats have no nutritional need for milk, so there’s no reason to offer it to your cat. Instead, you can help your cat to stay healthy by ensuring he drinks plenty of water. Place water dishes throughout the home, so water is always nearby. Be sure to clean these water dishes thoroughly and frequently to avoid bacteria buildup and to keep the water tasting good.

If your cat isn’t wild about water, you may be able to pique his interest by giving him access to a pet water fountain. Water fountains provide continuous running water, which is intriguing to cats. Just as your cat is fascinated by the water dripping from the tap, he may find the water fountain enticing. As a benefit, most fountains continuously filter their water, so your cat has plenty of clean water to drink.

Older kitten in a yard drinking out of a bowl of milk
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What can you feed your cat instead of dairy?

Dairy treats every now and again are okay, but better options are available. Ready-made cat treats are designed to be easy for your cat to digest. If you want a healthy treat, look for freeze-dried fish or chicken that’s free of preservatives and other additives. You also can give your cat a bit of cooked chicken or turkey, as long as it’s prepared without spices or oils and is free of bones.

It might be tempting to give your cat a saucer of milk every now and again, but this is a custom that really isn’t helping your cat. If your cat is one of the many who can’t tolerate lactose, you could be contributing to digestive upset. A safer option is to choose a ready-made cat treat or to pamper your cat in other ways, such as by giving him a new cat bed or splurging on a fun cat toy. Cats may find milk tasty, but you’ll be keeping your cat healthier by giving him an alternative treat.

Editors' Recommendations

Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
How to help cats inside car engines … before it’s too late
Use these tricks to prevent your cat from getting into a car engine
Cat hiding in engine compartment of car.

Overdrive was only a 2-month-old kitten when he hid inside the engine compartment of a car parked at a rest stop in Arizona. The unsuspecting tourists who owned the car were alarmed when 200 miles later, they stopped at a restaurant in Utah and heard desperate meows coming from under the hood of their car. The tiny buff-colored tabby was successfully rescued and taken to the nearby Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Although traumatized by the experience, he miraculously didn’t sustain any injuries. He's just one of numerous cats in car engines that have survived.

Every year, there are stories of cats getting trapped in vehicle engine compartments. Once a car engine starts, things can quickly take a turn for the worse for a cat hiding under the hood, say veterinary experts at the Chastain Veterinary Medical Group in Texas. The sudden vibration and roar of the car’s engine can cause a stowaway cat to jump or fall into the fan or fan belt and pulleys. The results are often disastrous for the cat, causing trauma, lacerations, and on occasion, death.

Read more
How to cat-proof your balcony before the unthinkable happens
Tips to keep your kitty safe while on the balcony
Cat sitting on a sunny balcony railing

It's tempting to spend some time outside with your cat whenever the weather is nice, and taking your cat outside can give him a nice break from indoor-only life. If you love to spend time on your balcony, it's natural to consider letting your cat join you, but balconies can be dangerous for cats. In addition to the potential for a fall, balconies have several other risks that you might not be aware of. Understanding how to cat-proof a balcony can help you to make the space safer, so you and your cat can spend a little time outside together.

Will a cat jump off a balcony?
Balconies can be very dangerous for cats because of the possibility of "high-rise syndrome." Always Compassionate Veterinary Care explains that high-rise syndrome refers to the occurrence of cats falling out of high-rise buildings and needing veterinary treatment. The term originates when the Animal Medical Center in New York City treated more than 100 cats who fell out of high-rise windows. That occurred during just five months in the 1980s and highlights the fact that cats can and do fall out of high structures.

Read more
How to tell if your cat is a Maine Coon mix (and why you should care)
Should you consider a Maine Coon mix? Here's what you need to know
Closeup of a Maine Coon's face

There are plenty of big and fluffy cats out there, but one of the best-known breeds fitting this description is the Maine Coon. These cats are not only impressive in size, but they also tend to have fantastic personalities that make them beloved family pets. While purebred Maine Coons are a little more uncommon in rescues and shelters, it's possible to adopt a Maine Coon mix that still has some of the breed's distinctive characteristics.

While telling exactly which breeds your cat is can be a little tricky, it's worth doing some investigative work to better understand your feline's background and what that might mean for the care he needs during his life.
Where do Maine Coon cats come from?
You may have heard that the Maine Coon Cate originated from a fantastical cross between a feline and a raccoon. Of course, this didn't really happen, but it could be where they get the name. (Another option, from a ship's captain who brought the first of these kitties ashore.)

Read more