Can Cats and Kittens Drink Cow’s Milk? – Cats and Dairy.

Milk and cats appear to be a pairing made in heaven. Because of the lipids and protein, cats are drawn to yogurt and milk. Is it, however, something your cat should be drinking?

For young kittens, get a mother’s milk replacer or kitten formula from your local pet store instead of dairy products. There is also lactose-free milk available for cats.

It’s recommended to keep cats away from dairy products in general. Most cats are lactose intolerant, but very few cats can metabolize milk sugar well into adulthood and possibly for the rest of their lives. Lactose is a sugar, and most cats being lactose intolerant means the undigested sugars drive water into the colon, causing diarrhea. Milk can be tolerated and even enjoyed by some cats, but not most, so it is not good.

Too much milk fat can lead to weight gain and irritable bowel syndrome. If you have a lactose-intolerant cat, make sure it gets milk only in little amounts. Your cat does not require milk (particularly cow’s milk) to stay healthy. Even a saucer of milk can only cause stomach discomfort, cramps, and diarrhea in your cherished pet. Purina has formulations tailored to your cat’s specific requirements. According to the ASPCA, the most common symptoms from giving cats cow’s milk are diarrhea, flatulence, and vomiting. In your cat’s diet, too much fat might promote weight gain.

It is important to keep your cats hydrated, though most veterinarians would agree water is best. Because some cats prefer drinking from a fountain to drinking from a bowl, a cat fountain may encourage her to drink more water instead. You could also have numerous water dishes throughout the house, which is a great method to keep your cat hydrated.

Milk, cheese, and other dairy products should never be a regular part of any cat’s diet, and weaned kittens should never be given cow’s milk.