Food safety

Can Cats Drink Goat Milk?

Safe in small amounts — Goat Milk for cats.

Safe in small amounts

Why: Goat milk has slightly less lactose than cow's milk, so some cats tolerate it better — but it still contains lactose, and most adult cats are lactose-intolerant. A small amount is usually fine; a bowlful is likely to cause diarrhoea.

Safe serving: A tablespoon or two as an occasional treat. Stop if stools loosen.

If your cat ate goat milk: No action needed for a small amount. Watch for diarrhoea after a larger amount.

Related: Milk, Lactose-Free Milk, Buttermilk

Why this verdict

Goat milk has slightly less lactose than cow's milk, so some cats tolerate it better — but it still contains lactose, and most adult cats are lactose-intolerant. A small amount is usually fine; a bowlful is likely to cause diarrhoea.

Safe serving

A tablespoon or two as an occasional treat. Stop if stools loosen.

If your cat ate goat milk

No action needed for a small amount. Watch for diarrhoea after a larger amount.

Related foods

Milk, Lactose-Free Milk, Buttermilk

Check another food

Back to the Food-Safety Checker to check all 90 foods, or see the beginner feeding guide and the feeding estimator.

Before you use the result

Use the result as a starting point for observation and planning. Cats vary by age, body condition, temperament, medical history, and household setup.

Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and the Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat. Chocolate toxicity figures are approximate values from the Merck Veterinary Manual. If your cat ate something on the toxic list, call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.