Can Cats Drink Milk?

The classic image of a kitty lapping from a dish in a farmyard seems super wholesome. And it was a staple in my childhood picture books. But this picture is quite misleading, as most adult cats don’t get any benefits from this drink and can have a whole host of issues.

Can Cats Drink Milk?

We don’t recommend dairy products for adult cats. And nor would your local veterinarian if you happened to ask. Some furry felines can cope with it better than others however. The best way to figure out if your cats can have it is to offer just one tablespoon at a time. Then monitor their health for about 12 hours. If you don’t see signs of gastrointestinal distress, it may be all right to offer a drop as a very occasional treat. But this really isn’t a good idea.

Milk doesn’t have essential nutrients that they need. So if you are desperate to share some with them, you should only give them a small amount. It should never make up a regular part of their diet, and is never okay for weaned kittens.

The Good and The Bad

Cats enjoy the high fat content in dairy products. Research has shown that drinking it induces relaxation behavior, the same way grooming and drowsiness do. In other words, the act of lapping it up is pleasurable. But milk is not recommended as a way of calming them. The effects on the intestines will quickly negate any potential benefits!

All cats are individuals, and some can handle it better than others. But this doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to give it to any of them. Those drinking dairy products may develop symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. These include vomiting and diarrhea, upset stomach, gassiness, and soft stools.

Giving milk to cats is like giving them junk food. They won’t get enough of the nutrition they need, because it dilutes the nutrients from their better food sources. Also, research shows that feeding milk as part of regular, long-term diet can result in negative effects on longevity, reproduction, bone structure, and growth.

Are Cats Lactose Intolerant?

Lactose is a natural sugar found in dairy products. They lack an enzyme, called lactase, that is need to digest lactose. So, lactose remains in the digestive system and begins to ferment, causing stomach upset.

Kittens do make lactase and can actually handle it in drinks. But milk does not offer the protein, antibodies, and vitamins that growing kitties need. This means that giving it to kittens can harm their development. After they are weaned from their mothers, kittens stop developing lactase.

Milk Allergies In Cats

In studies, almost a third of cats have been shown to have some kind of food sensitivity. This includes allergies to lactose, and another protein called casein. However, not all of them are allergic to lactose or casein.

Allergies often show up as gastrointestinal distress, or on the skin dermatologically as hives or redness. Inside the gut, allergies show up as congestion, edema (swelling from fluid retention), degeneration of the villi (small projections from the mucous membranes), hemorrhage, and an increase in plasma cells.

Allergies sound serious, but can be managed successfully. You just have to avoid those foods your pet is allergic to!

Can Cats Drink Other Types Of Milk?

If your pets show a tolerance, you can generally feed them raw cow and goat’s milk. Stay away from plant- and nut-based options such as soy, almond and coconut milk. If possible, do not feed pasteurized versions, and stay away from high-carb options like sweetened condensed and evaporated milk.

Dairy

Yes, some cats can drink a very small amount of cow’s milk, but you should be careful. In general, you should avoid giving them whole or cream because of the higher fat and sugar content. Organic skim or versions with a 1% fat content is preferred.

Lactose-free cow’s milk is also a safer option. Some veterinarians prefer substitute products such as Cat-Sip, available in pet stores.

Raw Milk

Research has shown that raw, unpasteurized milk has fewer negative effects on their development than many other types.

Pasteurized Milk

Pasteurized cow’s milk has been shown to cause skeletal abnormalities, developmental deficiencies, and reproductive issues in felines.

Sweetened Condensed or Evaporated

Scientists believe that sweetened condensed milk may be the worst you can feed your pet. Evaporated milk is also bad for them. Excessive carbohydrates in these types cause the same kinds of problems you see from pasteurized milk, only more severely.

Soy Milk

Cats are carnivorous, and should not be given soybeans. Their digestive systems do not have enough carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes to handle plant-based proteins. Also, some are allergic to soy proteins.

Almond Milk

Almonds have a high amount of oils and fats. These may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Sometimes, eating almonds can result in pancreatitis. A half gallon of homemade almond can contain as many as 16 human-sized servings of almonds.

Coconut Milk

Avoid giving cats coconut milk. As with almonds, coconuts have a high amount of oil and fat. Although coconuts are technically not nuts, they have some similar properties to nuts and fruits. They are drupes, also known as stone fruits.

Obligate carnivores’ digestive systems cannot handle plant proteins. Coconuts, which grow on palm trees, fall into this category. Specific research on this question is sparse. Yet, studies also show that coconut juice can protect rats from ulcers and increase their antioxidant levels. Past studies have shown that rat digestion is similar to feline digestion.

Is Goats Milk Safe For Cats?

If your kitty can tolerate it, raw goat’s milk is a good option for a small and infrequent treat. Goat’s generally has a higher mineral and vitamin content than cow’s, and includes some taurine.

It is slightly lower in lactose levels, though the difference is very minor. Studies have shown that in rats, goats’ is more easily digestible than cow’s. And, it allows more absorption of iron and copper. Fat and weight gain in rats was improved with goat milk, and cholesterol levels were lower.

Can Kittens Drink Milk?

We all know that newborn kittens drink milk from their mothers.

Kitten milk contains a surprising range of nutrients that are not essential for most other animals but that your baby cat really needs. These are niacin, vitamin A, and vitamin D, and the amino acids taurine and arginine. Taurine promotes good vision, digestion, heart health, reproduction, and immunity. Low levels of arginine have been linked to cataracts, anorexia, and decreased growth.

Regular cow’s and goat’s milk should never be used for kittens, because it doesn’t contain these all important components. If you are fostering or raising kittens whose mother has sadly passed away, they will need a surrogate mom or shop brought milk replacer.

How Much Milk Does A Newborn Kitten Need?

Scientists say kittens should get 13-18 milliliters of kitten milk replacer per 100 grams of body weight, to start with. As they get older, this amount should be gradually increased. Base the increase on health, appearance, and weight gain. Kittens should be gaining around 18-20 grams per day.

If your kittens are active and responsive to what’s around them, they are doing well. If they are always vocalizing and hungry, you may need to reevaluate. Kittens should be given regular food starting at around three-four weeks. They should be completely weaned at six weeks.