Food safety

Can Cats Drink Milk?

Safe in small amounts — Milk for cats.

Safe in small amounts

Why: Most adult cats are lactose-intolerant: they lose the enzyme that digests milk sugar after weaning. A small amount of plain milk is usually tolerated, but a bowlful commonly causes diarrhoea. Kittens should drink their mother's milk or a vet-approved replacer, not cow's milk.

Safe serving: A tablespoon or two of plain milk as an occasional treat. Stop if stools loosen — lactose-free milk is the better option.

If your cat ate milk: No action needed for a small amount. For a large amount, watch for diarrhoea and offer fresh water.

Related: Lactose-Free Milk, Goat Milk, Lactaid

Why this verdict

Most adult cats are lactose-intolerant: they lose the enzyme that digests milk sugar after weaning. A small amount of plain milk is usually tolerated, but a bowlful commonly causes diarrhoea. Kittens should drink their mother's milk or a vet-approved replacer, not cow's milk.

Safe serving

A tablespoon or two of plain milk as an occasional treat. Stop if stools loosen — lactose-free milk is the better option.

If your cat ate milk

No action needed for a small amount. For a large amount, watch for diarrhoea and offer fresh water.

Related foods

Lactose-Free Milk, Goat Milk, Lactaid

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.