Can Cats Drink Milk?

The reason for this is lactose. Similar to humans, cats can drink milk without any issue in kittenhood but lose the ability to metabolize lactose as they age. However, there can be exceptions.

Fortunately, there are milk alternatives for cats that don’t cause gastroenteric upset despite having equally many health benefits and a similar flavor.

If you decide to give your cat dairy, be mindful of the serving size and watch out for adverse reactions. Remember that milk should only be an occasional treat.

Are Cats Lactose-Intolerant?

Kittens can safely drink milk without experiencing adverse effects, similar to human babies.

However, as kittens grow, their bodies stop producing an enzyme called lactase, necessary for lactose metabolism. As a result, most adult cats are lactose intolerant.

Lactose intolerance in cats is similar to that in humans – it varies in severity and causes gastroenteric upset.

When a cat cannot digest lactose, it stays in the stomach, causing discomfort. After some time, lactose begins to ferment, producing gases.

On top of this, undigested lactose draws water to the intestines, causing diarrhea. However, some adult cats continue producing lactase and can digest lactose without any issue, at least in moderation.

Research shows that about 50% of adult cats are lactose intolerant. Most kittens have adult levels of lactase by six months old, but some may stop producing lactase earlier or retain kitten levels in adulthood.

In other words, whether a cat can drink milk depends on its organism’s peculiarities. Still, even if your cat isn’t lactose-intolerant, it might be sensitive to milk proteins.

Naturally, lactose intolerant cats also cannot eat sour cream, cheese, and other dairy products unless they are free of lactose.

Adverse Effects of Milk for Cats

Milk isn’t toxic to felines, so a cat cannot die or experience severe long-lasting symptoms from drinking milk.

However, milk is highly likely to cause gastroenteric upset with vomiting, flatulence, stomach cramps, and diarrhea in your furry friend.

Even cats that aren’t lactose intolerant might experience stomach discomfort and diarrhea from drinking milk if they are sensitive to other elements in dairy. Although dairy allergy is rare, it’s also possible.

Milk allergy in cats is unlikely to cause respiratory or topical symptoms but can manifest with symptoms similar to regular gastroenteric upset.

Not, let’s assume your cat drinks milk without any adverse effects. Does this mean milk is perfectly safe?

Not really. Milk is high in protein, which is great, but it can also be high in fats and carbs. The feline diet should be rich in fats.

However, too much fat can lead to obesity and related health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. Plus, commercially produced milk is often rich in sodium, which is dangerous to cats in large amounts.

Although one may think that there could never be too much calcium, excess of the mineral causes weakness, listlessness, increased thirst, and loss of appetite. Prolonged hypercalcemia contributes to bladder stone formation.

Health Benefits of Milk for Cats

Despite the risks of drinking milk for cats, it also has health benefits that cannot be disputed. Proteins and fats are the fundamentals of the feline diet, so milk is a significantly better treat for a cat than bread or apples.

Milk contains two protein types – casein and why proteins. Casein forms the majority of milk proteins and is essential for mineral absorption. For this reason, milk is among the best calcium sources.

Assuming your cat doesn’t drink too much milk, it can benefit from extra calcium that promotes bone health. Calcium is especially necessary for kittens, senior cats, and pregnant felines.

High riboflavin content is another health benefit of milk for cats, essential for carbohydrate synthesis and oxygen absorption.

Phosphorus, plentiful in milk, helps regulate metabolic processes and bones with calcium to support bone and teeth health.

Sometimes, commercially produced milk is fortified with vitamin D, which is crucial for calcium absorption and proper nervous system function.

Although milk has many healthy nutrients, your cat should be getting them from kibble, so there is typically no need for an extra dose of vitamins and minerals.

If you’re concerned about your cat’s nutrient intake, consult your veterinarian.

Can Cats Drink Lactose-Free Milk?

Because the primary offender in milk for cats is lactose, many owners wonder – can cats drink lactose-free milk?

Yes, lactose-free milk is the best milk type for cats because it retains the benefits of regular milk without causing gastroenteric upset.

You may have come across milk for cats in pet stores or online. Many popular cat food brands make such products, including Whiskas, Royal Canine, and Pro Plan.

The primary difference between regular milk and cat milk is lactose content.

Milk for cats doesn’t contain lactose and is often enriched with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. Additionally, manufacturers reduce the sodium content. Such milk is a perfect treat for all felines.

It’s important to note that even lactose-free milk can cause a gastroenteric upset in some felines because they might be allergic to dairy or sensitive to milk proteins.

Plus, moderation is crucial because any milk is high in calories, even that formulated specifically for cats. A cat’s calorie intake is significantly lower than ours, so even a seemingly tiny serving can be too much.

Can Cats Drink Plant-Based Milk?

Plant-based milk doesn’t contain lactose, so you might wonder whether cats can drink vegan milk like almond, oat, or soy.

Most nuts and grains are non-toxic to felines, including oats, almonds, coconuts, and rice, so the milk won’t cause severe adverse effects.

However, cats should never have milk derived from Macadamia nuts because they can cause poisoning. Still, the fact that most vegan milk types aren’t dangerous to cats doesn’t mean they are healthy.

Nuts, rice, or oats aren’t something felines would eat in the wild. Vegan milk is typically too high in carbohydrates and too low in proteins for cats, so they can only consume plant milk in moderation.

Plus, plant milk sometimes contains sugar or artificial sweeteners. Although sugar isn’t toxic to cats, it can cause hyperactivity and other adverse effects in large amounts.

Most sweeteners are harmless, but Xylitol is toxic and can cause blood clotting disorders.

You should also avoid artificial flavorings, colorings, and preservatives if you decide to give your cat plant milk. Remember that your cat might have individual allergies to particular plants.

Plant proteins are generally tough on the feline digestive tract and can cause a mild gastroenteric upset despite low lactose content.

Why Does My Cat Love Milk?

Many feline enthusiasts are confused about why cats love milk if most of them are lactose intolerant. The myth of cats loving milk isn’t really a myth – many felines enjoy dairy despite adverse reactions.

The most plausible explanation is the high fat content of dairy. Cats have fewer taste buds than humans and cannot sense some flavors, for example, sweet.

However, because fats form a big part of the feline diet, cats are great at sensing fatty flavors.

Furthermore, cats, like humans, can have unique food preferences. Some cats might love the texture, color, or smell of milk, and others might feel they lack fats, calcium, or proteins in their diet.

Lastly, some cats like dairy because they were separated from their mother too early and have retained the kitten urge for milk. If your cat is obsessed with milk, there is likely nothing to worry about.

However, if your cat’s food preferences have changed suddenly, consider consulting a vet regarding altering its diet and checking it for health conditions.

How Much Milk to Give a Cat

Assuming your cat doesn’t have any adverse reactions from milk, you can give it occasionally in moderate amounts. How much milk to give a cat depends on the cat’s weight, age, current diet, and underlying medical conditions.

A healthy adult cat should consume 20 to 33 calories per pound of weight, depending on its energy level. So, an eight-pound indoor cat should eat 160 to 265 calories daily.

Treats should account for only 10% of the cat’s daily calorie intake or 16 to 26 calories in the case of an eight-pound cat.

Because 100 milliliters of whole milk contain about 63 calories, an eight-pound cat can drink about 30 milliliters daily.

Almond and low-fat milk are slightly lower in calories, so a cat can drink more. However, it’s not that simple because each cat’s digestive tract may react to dairy differently.

If you don’t yet know whether your cat is lactose intolerant, let it try some milk on a spoon and watch its reaction.

If you notice no adverse effects in 24 hours, you can safely assume your cat tolerates dairy and increase the dose.

Still, milk shouldn’t be a daily treat to avoid weight gain and related health conditions. Give your cat milk occasionally, thrice a week at most, and keep it active.

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