Can cats drink milk?

Cats are often seen drinking milk on TV and in films, though did you know that milk isn’t good for them?

We’re about to explore the reasons you shouldn’t feed your cat milk, discover whether milk alternatives are safe for your cat, and how to keep your cat hydrated…

Is cow’s milk safe for cats?

Most cats are lactose intolerant, which means they cannot safely digest cow’s milk. 

Just like humans who are lactose intolerant, cats are unable to digest lactose (the sugar in milk) because they don’t have an enzyme called ‘lactase’ in their digestive systems. Kittens are born with the lactase enzyme to allow them to digest their mother’s milk, however their lactase enzymes are lost by time they’re weaned. 

Although the high fat content of cow’s milk is appealing to our cats and kittens, giving them milk can cause health problems due to the significant number of calories it contains. For example, the fat content of your cat’s small saucer of milk is equivalent to you eating a large, cheesy pizza in one sitting – alongside your three main meals!

Here are some of the symptoms your cat could experience if they drink cow’s milk:

• Bloated or swollen stomach.
• Excessive stomach rumbling.
• Stomach pain.
• Diarrhoea.
• Vomiting.

Can cats have alternatives to cow’s milk?

Unfortunately, unlike humans, cats can’t tolerate any of the alternatives to cow milk either. Several types of milk cats shouldn’t be given include:

• Lactose-free milk.
• Goat milk.
• Sheep milk.
• Coconut milk.
• Soya milk.
• Oat milk.
• Almond milk.
• Hazelnut milk.
• Rice milk.
• Pea milk.

Additionally, ‘cat milk’ advertised as being specifically for felines may be just as unhealthy for your cat as cow’s milk. For example, ‘cat milk’ might deter your cat from drinking water and eating their normal food, which could lead to serious nutrient deficiencies that result in long-term health problems.  

While cat-safe milk could be a nice, occasional treat for your feline friend, it’ll cause your cat’s calorie intake to increase – which must be factored in at feeding time!

Important! Hand-reared kittens require specialist kitten-safe formula milk, as prescribed by a vet, and should never be given any other types of milk.

If you’re ever in doubt about what’s safe for your cat, you can contact your local vet or speak to veterinary experts through the Joii Pet Care app. 

Are dairy products safe for cats to eat?

Dairy products can be difficult for your cat to digest, too. So, we don’t recommend giving your cat any dairy products, even as a treat.

Examples of dairy and dairy-alternative products your cat shouldn’t eat:

• Cheese (e.g. Cheddar, blue cheese, cottage cheese, feta, goat’s cheese, etc.).
• Vegan and plant-based cheeses.
• Cheese-flavoured food (e.g. crisps).
• Ice cream (especially if it contains ingredients that are toxic to cats, like chocolate).
• Cheesecake (may include ingredients that are extremely harmful to cats, like xylitol).
• Cake (often made with ingredients that are poisonous to pets, like dried fruit or artificial flavourings).

To find homemade treat inspiration for your cat, check out our pet-safe pumpkin recipes and feline-friendly festive feast ideas!

How to keep your cat hydrated 

The best drink for your cat is water.

As we all know, allowing our cats to have constant access to fresh, clean water is vital. However, many of our feline friends can be fussy about their drinking water.

Part of protecting your cat from dehydration is being innovative in the way you persuade them to drink – here are some ideas:

• Provide water dishes in several rooms around the house and keep those dishes topped up with clean water (though, preferably, water dishes shouldn’t be located next to food dishes). 
• Set up a cat-friendly water fountain if your cat prefers running water.
• Try different types and sizes of water bowl to see if your cat likes the variety or prefer a particular one.
• If you think water temperature is important for your fussy feline, try putting some ice cubes into their bowl. 
• Offer more wet food to your cat or soak their dry food in water before feeding them.

Visit our article on how to keep your cat hydrated for veterinary advice about encouraging your feline friend to drink enough water.