Can cats drink milk?
Also called: milk, cow's milk, cream, dairy, yoghurt, yogurt, ice cream, lactose
Caution
Most cats can't digest milk sugar, so it often causes vomiting or diarrhoea.
It's best not to. Most cats can't digest lactose, the sugar in milk, so milk and dairy foods often cause vomiting or diarrhoea. Milk is not a treat or a replacement for water.
When it's a problem
- Milk and dairy can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Kittens lose the ability to digest milk sugar at about 12 weeks old.
Keep in mind
- Kittens that need milk should have a kitten milk formula, not cow's milk.
Where this comes from
ASPCA
Milk should not be fed to cats as a treat or a substitute for water.
Checked 9 October 2026
Cornell Feline Health Center
Milk is not generally recommended as a treat for cats, as many cats are lactose-intolerant and can develop gastrointestinal problems if fed dairy products.
Checked 9 October 2026
Where this comes from
ASPCA
Milk should not be fed to cats as a treat or a substitute for water.
Feeding milk and milk-based products to cats can actually cause them to vomit or have diarrhea.
Checked 9 October 2026
Cornell Feline Health Center
Milk is not generally recommended as a treat for cats, as many cats are lactose-intolerant and can develop gastrointestinal problems if fed dairy products.
Checked 9 October 2026
Where this comes from
ASPCA
Feeding milk and milk-based products to cats can actually cause them to vomit or have diarrhea.
Checked 9 October 2026
VCA Animal Hospitals
Once kittens are about 12 weeks old, they lose the ability to digest milk sugar, meaning milk can upset their stomachs, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
Read "True or False: Milk and tuna are great foods for cats"
Checked 9 October 2026
Where this comes from
VCA Animal Hospitals
Once kittens are about 12 weeks old, they lose the ability to digest milk sugar, meaning milk can upset their stomachs, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
Read "True or False: Milk and tuna are great foods for cats"
Checked 9 October 2026
Where this comes from
VCA Animal Hospitals
If you want to give your kittens milk, they should be given kitten-specific milk formulas instead.
Read "True or False: Milk and tuna are great foods for cats"
Checked 9 October 2026