PD Insurance: Is Milk Bad for Cats?

Is it safe for you to give your cat cows’ milk to drink? Surely they can enjoy the odd saucer of creamy goodness? The pet insurance experts at PD.co.nz reveal all you need to know about cats and milk.

Can cats drink milk?

Veterinarians warn that milk and dairy products can upset your feline’s stomach. So although it’s tempting to pamper your pet with a saucer of creamy milk, saying no to dairy for your cat will help kitty stay healthy.

Vets recommend that all your feline friend needs to stay hydrated is access to fresh water as part of a well-balanced diet. Whether you opt for dry cat food or wet is up to you and your kitty’s tastebuds. But wet food will help your cat’s hydration.

Why is milk harmful for cats?

Most felines are lactose intolerant. This means that even though cats love the taste of cows’ milk, it’s bad for their digestive systems. If they do drink milk, it can lead to issues such as diarrhoea and vomiting.

But don’t kittens drink their mothers’ milk?

Kittens usually drink their mothers’ milk until they wean at around eight or nine weeks. To this point they can digest milk due to a digestive enzyme in their stomachs called lactase.

However, adult cats produce no or very little lactase. This makes it difficult for them to break down the lactose in milk. An accumulation of bacteria from the lactose in the small intestine can then result in an upset stomach.

Cats are instantly attracted to the high fat and protein content in milk and other dairy products. They don’t know it’s incredibly unhealthy for them. So, while your cat may not know any better… you can ensure it stays healthy by not feeding it milk products.

Cats & milk: best drink for cats

Water, as part of a healthy balanced diet, is the best drink for cats. While a cat can drink anywhere between 135ml to 300ml of water per day, the amount of hydration a cat requires differs according to its age, size and whether it eats wet or dry food.

Wet food provides a greater proportion of a cat’s hydration needs than dry food. But whichever food you provide your cat, it should always have an accessible supply of fresh drinking water.

If you feed your cat milk, you have to be especially careful about dehydration caused by diarrhoea and/or vomiting. Dehydration in cats is a serious issue that can lead to diabetes, kidney failure and heatstroke.

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Cats & milk: how to know if your cat is dehydrated

To make sure your kitty isn’t dehydrated, The New Zealand Cat Association recommends lifting the skin between its shoulder blades. Then, see how fast it springs back into place.

The skin of a hydrated animal will spring back almost immediately, while the skin of a dehydrated animal will return more slowly.

A dehydrated cat will also have tacky-feeling gums and their eyes may appear sunken.

What if my cat won’t drink water?

If your cat won’t drink fresh water, try enticing them with the broth of some unsalted chicken or fish.

As a treat, cats can be given cat milk, which is available from pet shops and supermarkets. If you have dehydration concerns, speak to your vet about oral rehydration fluids, which could be more appealing to your pet than fresh water.

Although lactose-free milk can be used as an alternative to cows’ milk, caution should be exercised, as a tiny amount of lactose may still be in the milk.

If you do want to spoil your cat, healthier treats, such as homemade tuna cookies or carrot and catnip treats, will leave your feline delighted and help keep them healthy.

Most leading pet food manufacturers also produce treats that have been approved by veterinarians.

Cats & milk: planning for the unexpected

So, can cats drink milk? The simple answer is no. But if your cat does get its paws on dairy, you’ll know within eight to 12 hours if they are unwell.

Symptoms include excessive gas, diarrhoea and vomiting. If you’re concerned your cat is dehydrated, contact your veterinarian immediately, as an infusion of fluids may be required.

However, as we all know, a trip to the vet can be expensive, which is why it pays to consider pet insurance. Pet cover can ease the financial burden of animal healthcare, and can help provide your pet with the medical cover it requires.

PD Insurance is the winner of Canstar’s 2022 Award for Most Satisfied Customers | Pet Insurance, as rated by Kiwi pet owners.

PD Insurance specialises in low-cost, high-value pet insurance that can cushion against hefty vet bills for tests, treatments, medication and more.

PD Insurance’s three simple policies offer the quality protection your furry family member deserves, with no lock-in contracts. In addition, you can go to any vet of your choice, plus you can upgrade or downgrade your plan as your needs change.

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About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar’s Editor, Bruce Pitchers. Bruce began his career writing about pop culture, and spent a decade in sports journalism. More recently, he’s applied his editing and writing skills to the world of finance and property. Prior to Canstar, he worked as a freelancer, including for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority, and for real estate companies on both sides of the Tasman.