Can cats drink milk?
Updated By PetymFacts checked against official sources on
Quick answer
It is better not to give milk. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant: they make little lactase, the enzyme that digests milk sugar, so cow's or buffalo milk, curd and cheese often cause diarrhoea, gas and bloating. Cornell's Feline Health Center does not recommend milk even as a treat. Cats need fresh water, not milk.
Kittens are different but still should not have cow's or goat's milk. A kitten with its mother drinks her milk; an orphaned kitten needs a kitten milk replacer and a vet's advice. If your cat has diarrhoea for more than a day, or is a kitten, call your vet.
Why does milk upset most cats?
Cats lose most of the enzyme that digests milk sugar as they grow up.
Milk sugar is called lactose, and the body needs an enzyme called lactase to digest it. Cats Protection explains that kittens make plenty of lactase, but production drops as they move to solid food, so many adult cats can no longer digest lactose properly. ASPCA Animal Poison Control says the same of pets in general: because they do not have significant amounts of lactase, milk and other dairy products can cause diarrhoea or other digestive upset.
Cornell's Feline Health Center says milk is not generally recommended as a treat for cats, as many cats are lactose intolerant. Cats Protection notes that estimates of how many cats are affected conflict, but that it does seem most adult cats are, regardless of breed.
Why do cats lap it up, then? Cats Protection says it is the fat: whole milk tastes good to them. Liking it does not mean their gut can handle it.
What are the signs that milk has upset your cat?
Cats Protection says signs usually appear about eight to 12 hours after the cat has the dairy.
- Diarrhoea, the most common sign, which can lead to dehydration. Cats Protection
- Bloating and a tight or uncomfortable tummy. Cats Protection
- Gas. Cats Protection
- Other stomach upset, such as vomiting. ASPCA Animal Poison Control
- Drinking much more or much less water than usual, which Cats Protection says a vet should check. Cats Protection
Which milks and dairy foods are a problem for cats?
What the sources say about the dairy found in an Indian kitchen.
| Give it? | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Cow's or buffalo milk (doodh) Cats Protection | No | Lactose. Cats Protection says never give cow's milk; any dairy milk carries the same milk sugar. |
| Goat's milk Cats Protection | No, especially for kittens | Cats Protection says never give cow or goat's milk to kittens, which find it hard to digest. |
| Curd, cheese, paneer, ice cream ASPCA Animal Poison Control | Best not | ASPCA says milk and other dairy-based products can cause diarrhoea. |
| Oat, nut or other plant milks Cats Protection | No | Cats Protection warns some alternative milks are made from things that could even be toxic to cats. |
| Lactose-free milk or 'cat milk' Cats Protection | Not needed | No lactose, but Cats Protection says these carry a lot of calories that can put weight on a cat. |
| Kitten milk replacer VCA Animal Hospitals (Canadian Academy of Veterinary Nutrition) | Only for orphaned or unweaned kittens | Made for kittens; VCA and Cats Protection recommend it over cow's milk for orphans. |
Milk is not a poison like lilies or onion. The concern is stomach upset, dehydration and extra calories.
Can kittens drink cow's milk?
No. A kitten needs its mother's milk or, if orphaned, a kitten milk replacer.
Cats Protection's hand-rearing advice is plain: never give cow or goat's milk, as kittens find it difficult to digest, and ask your vet which milk to use. VCA's veterinary nutritionists explain that cow's milk is not ideal because a mother cat's milk has more than twice the protein, while cow's milk is lower in calories and fat and higher in lactose. They recommend a commercial kitten milk replacer over cow's milk or homemade mixes.
Kittens move to solid food from about three to four weeks of age, and Cats Protection says that by six to eight weeks they should be fully weaned. After that they need kitten food and water, not milk. Rescued street kittens are common in Indian homes, and a bowl of doodh is often the first thing offered. Offer water and call a vet instead, especially if the kitten is very young, cold or not eating.
What should a cat drink instead?
Water, in a way cats like to drink it.
Do
- Keep clean, fresh water out at all times. Cornell Feline Health Center
- Use a wide ceramic, metal or glass bowl, so whiskers do not touch the sides and plastic does not taint the water. Cats Protection
- Put water away from the food bowl and the litter tray. Cats Protection
- Remember that wet food is around 70% water, so a cat on dry food may need to drink more. In Indian summers, refresh bowls often. Cats Protection
Don’t
- Give milk as a daily treat or as food. Cornell Feline Health Center
- Swap in plant milks for cow's milk. Cats Protection
- Feed cat milk products as a regular extra: they are high in calories. Cats Protection
- Give a kitten cow's or goat's milk. Cats Protection
When should you call your vet?
Call your vet if diarrhoea lasts more than a day, if there is blood in it, if your cat is also vomiting, very quiet or not eating, or if the cat is a kitten, elderly or already ill, because Cats Protection notes diarrhoea can lead to dehydration. A sudden change in how much your cat drinks is also worth a vet visit. For a newborn or orphaned kitten, call a vet the same day for advice on milk and feeding.
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Questions owners ask
Is milk bad for cats?
- Milk is not poisonous, but most adult cats are lactose intolerant. ASPCA Animal Poison Control says pets lack significant amounts of lactase, so milk and dairy can cause diarrhoea and stomach upset. Cornell's Feline Health Center does not recommend milk even as a treat. Water is what cats need.
Can cats eat curd or yoghurt?
- It is best not to make it a habit. ASPCA says milk and other dairy-based products can cause diarrhoea in pets, and curd is a dairy food. Cats are obligate carnivores and do not need dairy. If your cat ate some and now has diarrhoea for more than a day, call your vet.
Can I give my kitten cow's milk?
- No. Cats Protection says never give cow or goat's milk to kittens, as they find it hard to digest. A kitten with its mother drinks her milk. An orphaned kitten needs a kitten milk replacer, and a vet should advise on which one and how to feed it.
Is 'cat milk' from the pet shop safe?
- It has no lactose, so it is less likely to cause diarrhoea, but Cats Protection says it is not needed and contains a lot of calories that can make a cat put on weight. A cat eating a complete cat food does not need it. Fresh water is the best drink for adult cats.
Why does my cat love milk if it is bad for it?
- Cats Protection says cats are drawn to the fat in milk, especially whole milk, which they find tasty. Liking a food does not mean the cat can digest it: most adult cats make little lactase, the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar, so the treat can end in diarrhoea.
Keep reading
- Foods toxic to catsLilies, onion in curry and other kitchen risks for cats.
- Caring for a kitten
- Caring for a cat
- Signs your pet needs a vet now
- Cat food calculator
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Sources
Each source was opened and read on the date shown. How Petym checks its sources
- Cornell Feline Health Center: Feeding your cat (updated 30 April 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: People foods to avoid feeding your pets (opens in a new tab)
- Cats Protection: Are cats lactose intolerant? (blog, 19 September 2024) (opens in a new tab)
- Cats Protection: Cats and drinking (undated) (opens in a new tab)
- Cats Protection: Hand-rearing kittens (undated) (opens in a new tab)
- VCA Animal Hospitals (Canadian Academy of Veterinary Nutrition): Feeding orphaned kittens (updated 4 February 2025) (opens in a new tab)