Is Milk Bad for House Cats?

Domestic cats are predators with a natural diet consisting primarily of small mammals. They also consume reptiles and birds. Cats eat almost no vegetable matter and cannot taste sweetness. With a digestive system suitable for eating meat, cats can become ill if given other foods, including milk.

  1. Misconceptions

    • In spite of common practice, cow's milk offers no nutritional value for cats and can cause digestive problems. Replacing a cat's food or water with milk can cause a cat to become malnourished.

    Effects

    • Gastrointestinal disorders in cats (caused by milk and other inappropriate foods) may lead to skin diseases, poor hair quality, weight loss and bowel disorders.

    Alternative

    • Special lactose-free milk for cats can be purchased from the supermarket or pet store and given to cats with no adverse reaction. This so-called cat milk should not become a substitute for cat food.

    Exception

    • Cow's milk as an occasional treat is fine for those cats that are not lactose intolerant.

    Warning

    • A kitten is weaned approximately four weeks after birth. Until then, a kitten should consume only its mother's milk as it is full of all the fat, protein and antibodies it needs to grow and survive.