Should cats drink milk?

An iconic image of cat ownership is that of a fluffy kitty perched on a counter, lapping up a bowl of milk with satisfaction. However, you never hear anyone recommend milk to cats. Why?

Flat out, it’s because cats don’t really need milk. It doesn’t provide them with any kind of nutritional benefit, and quite a few of them are lactose intolerant.

Aside from the fact that leaving a bowl of milk out for too long is a bad idea, cats should not be given milk as their primary source of fluid. Cats need clean water to survive and should not be given replacement milk under any circumstances.

However, as a treat, your cat may enjoy it. You can try giving her a small bowl to see how she reacts, but be prepared for kitty to end up with indigestion. If you don’t feel like dealing with what could end up being a mess on your carpets, you can find cat milk at many pet stores.

Cat milk is a milk replacer (just like human milk replacer) that is designed specifically for cats. It should only be given as a treat, as it still doesn’t provide any nutritional value, but it will at least allow you to avoid the digestive problems associated with milk and lactose intolerant cats.

Unfortunately, then, the image of the happy kitty drinking milk doesn’t really hold much ground, as it doesn’t work quite well with most cats. It’s a shame though, I always thought the idea was cute.