Why Should Kittens Drink Water Instead of Milk?

It is a common stereotype, the kitten happily lapping up milk from a saucer. The truth is that, for most kittens, milk is one of the last things you want to give them to drink. In most cases, your kitten is much better off drinking water instead.
    • Kittens should never be given cow's milk.

    Lactose Intolerant

    • According to Cats of Australia, most kittens are lactose intolerant. This means that they do not produce the enzyme lactase, which allows them to digest the lactose sugar present in cow's milk. The lactose then passes through the stomach undigested.

    Health Effects

    • When lactose enters a kitten's intestines, it becomes a feeding ground for the bacteria that reside there. The resulting fermentation produces large amounts of gas, which leads to terrible pain and diarrhea for the kitten.

    Alternative Milk

    • Goat's milk is a viable option for kittens, but not as a primary source of nutrition unless supplemented. Goat's milk does not contain nearly as much lactose as cow's milk, so it does not cause kittens to get sick.

    Kitten Milk Replacer

    • You may run into a situation where you need to take care of a very young kitten who is not yet old enough to eat solid food. In this case, a formula known as Kitten Milk Replacer, or KMR, is available to tend to their nutritional needs.

    Primary Diet

    • KMR or mother's milk should only be a primary source of nutrition for newborn kittens until they are about three to four weeks old, according to Pawprints and Purrs. As of that age, they should begin transitioning to wet and solid food.