Can Cats Drink Regular Milk?
This is a common question for cat owners, especially when we see cute images of kittens lapping up a bowl of milk. However, the answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no. The short version is that regular cow’s milk is not ideal for cats. But certain types of milk in moderation may be fine. Keep reading to understand the nuances around cats and milk.
Milk Composition Differences
Cats and humans metabolize milk differently because of the varying lactose levels between species. Cow’s milk contains around 4-5% lactose, while cat milk contains only around 2% lactose (1). Since cats did not evolve to digest the higher lactose levels found in cow’s milk, most adult cats are lactose intolerant and unable to properly digest it.
Additionally, the nutrient composition differs between cow and cat milk. Cow’s milk is formulated to help baby calves grow quickly, containing more protein, fat, and minerals. Cat milk provides kittens with the optimal nutrition in highly digestible forms (2). This makes cow’s milk nutritionally inappropriate for cats, who have different dietary requirements.
Sources:
(1) https://be.chewy.com/are-cats-lactose-intolerant/
(2) https://www.ctvsh.com/services/cats/blog/why-cats-and-cows-milk-dont-mix
Lactose Intolerance
Most adult cats are lactose intolerant, with over 50% unable to properly digest lactose after weaning1. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and dairy products. Cats’ bodies stop producing enough of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose, after they are weaned from their mother’s milk.
When cats drink regular cow’s milk, the undigested lactose travels to their intestines where it causes gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The immune system sees the undigested milk sugars as a foreign invader and mounts an inflammatory response, adding to the GI upset.
Kittens have a higher tolerance to lactose while nursing, but many start becoming intolerant after weaning. By 6 months to 1 year of age, most cats have become lactose intolerant2.
Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance
One of the main signs of lactose intolerance in cats is diarrhea and vomiting. Within 8-12 hours of consuming milk, cats may experience painful gas, flatulence, cramps, and abdominal pain before having loose stools or throwing up (1). The indigestible lactose draws water into the intestines, causing diarrhea as the lactose ferments. Vomiting can also occur as the stomach and intestines become irritated.
In more severe cases, chronic diarrhea from lactose intolerance can lead to dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, and weight loss. Signs of dehydration include lethargy, dry gums, and sunken eyes. It’s important to see a vet if diarrhea or vomiting persists beyond 24 hours (2).
Some cats may be more lactose tolerant than others depending on the individual and breed. But any digestive upset after milk likely indicates an intolerance. Even small amounts can cause issues. The lactose overload taxes the digestive system, so symptoms manifest.
Health Risks
Drinking regular cow’s milk comes with health risks for cats, according to top veterinarians and cat health experts. Most cats are lactose intolerant, meaning they have a hard time digesting the lactose sugar in milk. As an estimate based on PDSA, about 95% of cats have some degree of lactose intolerance. When they drink regular milk, cats don’t have enough of the lactase enzyme needed to properly digest it. As a result, the lactose travels undigested through the cat’s stomach and into the intestines, leading to digestive upset.
Specifically, drinking milk can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, gas, and bloating in cats. The conditions can range from mild to severe depending on the individual cat. Kittens may experience more severe reactions than adult cats. Left untreated, the diarrhea and vomiting caused by milk can quickly lead to dehydration. Milk can also fill up a cat’s stomach without providing adequate nutrition. A lack of hydration and proper nutrients can progress to malnutrition over time.
Additionally, the extra calories from the fat and lactose in cow’s milk could contribute to obesity in cats. Obesity then puts cats at higher risk for diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and other conditions. For all these reasons, veterinarians caution against giving regular cow’s milk to cats. There are better alternatives to provide the nutrition they need.
Better Milk Alternatives
While regular cow’s milk is not ideal for cats due to lactose intolerance, there are some better milk alternatives for feline companions.
One option is goat’s milk, which contains lower lactose levels than cow’s milk. Some cats may tolerate goat’s milk better. However, goat’s milk is still not lactose-free, so it should be fed in small amounts. Consult your veterinarian before offering goat’s milk.
Another alternative is lactose-free milk designed for cats, such as CatSip. These products have the lactose removed or substantially reduced. They provide many of the nutrients of regular milk without the digestive issues caused by lactose. Lactose-free milk can be a tasty treat that is safe for most cats to consume.
According to this article, while plant-based milks like almond, coconut, soy and oat milk are lactose-free, they do not offer the same nutritional benefits as animal-based milks. They lack certain proteins and nutrients cats need. Therefore, they are not the best milk substitutes for felines.
When choosing a milk product for your cat, lactose-free dairy milk or goat’s milk in moderation are better options than regular cow’s milk or plant-based milk.
Tips for Giving Milk
If you do choose to give your cat milk occasionally, there are some tips to follow:
- Limit the quantity to just a small treat. Too much can upset their stomach and digestive system (Bottle-Feeding Kittens: A Comprehensive Guide).
- Use a shallow dish rather than a deep bowl. This prevents too much milk from being lapped up at once (Bottle Feeding).
Following these tips can help reduce the chances of stomach upset when giving cats milk as an occasional snack.
Other Dairy Concerns
In addition to lactose intolerance, there are other concerns with feeding dairy products to cats. One major issue is the high fat content of many dairy items.
Cheese, cream, butter, and ice cream are very high in saturated fat. Too much saturated fat can lead to obesity and pancreatitis in cats 1. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
The high calorie count in high-fat dairy products also makes it easy to overfeed. Giving too many treats or table scraps with dairy can quickly lead to weight gain in cats. Obesity predisposes cats to diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
While small amounts of dairy as an occasional treat are unlikely to cause harm, dairy should not be a regular part of a cat’s diet. Pet owners should monitor their cat’s weight closely and limit high-fat foods if obesity is a concern.
When Milk Might Be OK
While regular cow’s milk is not recommended for cats, small amounts may be tolerated by some cats. Kittens are able to digest milk more easily than adult cats, so a brief drink likely won’t cause issues. However, kittens should still primarily drink kitten formula or kitten milk replacer for proper nutrition.
Some adult cats may be able to consume small quantities of cow’s milk as an occasional treat without experiencing digestive upset. But the milk should only make up a tiny portion of the cat’s diet. Most cats remain lactose intolerant as adults, so their systems are not well equipped to process cow’s milk regularly or in large amounts.
For cats that seem to tolerate milk, it’s a good idea to monitor them for signs of lactose intolerance after drinking it. Diarrhea, vomiting, gassiness or abdominal discomfort would all be reasons to discontinue milk. It’s also best to limit milk intake to just a few laps from a bowl, not free access.
Conclusion
Overall, you should avoid regularly giving regular cow’s milk to cats. While it may technically be safe in small amounts occasionally, cats lack the enzyme lactase to properly digest the lactose in regular milk. This can lead to digestive issues like diarrhea, vomiting, gas, and abdominal pain. Severe or prolonged lactose intolerance can also have detrimental health impacts for cats over time.
Instead, only give your cat small amounts of milk specifically formulated for feline health and digestion. Look for lactose-free or low-lactose cat milk that contains essential nutrients. Also provide plenty of fresh water. If you want to give an occasional milk treat, stick to a small quantity of plain whole milk from cows, goats or sheep. Monitor your cat for signs of intolerance. And as always, consult your veterinarian for advice on the best diet and nutrition for your cat.