In most animal stories, cats and milk seem to be a blissful match. Popular culture and cartoons such as Tom & Jerry have convinced us that milk is a wonderfully viable food for cats. On the internet, you will find scores of delightful pictures of cats lapping at a bowl full of milk. Many families in India keep a bowl with milk outside their door to feed stray cats. While the intention here is not wrong, the repercussions can be dangerous for cats. This idea that milk is an ideal food for cats is a myth!

Tom & Jerry lapping it up!

Stray cats might drink milk given to them for one of the three reasons –

1. they may find it tasty
2. because of its high-fat content
3. they are too hungry to be choosy.

But milk is not at all suitable for cats.

We understand that the cat and milk myth is widespread, but you must avoid giving milk to cats at all costs because most cats are lactose intolerant. Cats find the lactose in milk difficult to digest, making them dehydrated instead of quenching their thirst. Also, cow’s milk lacks many essential nutrients, protein, and antibodies a growing kitten needs. Kittens should ideally drink their own mother’s milk. In case, for some reason, feeding mothers’ milk is not possible, they should be fed milk replacer available at most pet stores – specially formulated for kittens.

Now, let’s take a step back to understand lactose intolerance in cats. Lactose intolerance is a common occurrence in cats. To digest the milk sugar, lactose, the cat’s digestive system must contain lactase, an enzyme. Kittens consume the lactose in their mother’s milk. As kittens, they have the ability to digest lactose. This primary sugar is a high source of energy for kittens. However, after being weaned (transitioning kittens from mother’s milk to solid food), lactase, which makes digestion easy, starts disappearing from their gut, making them lactose intolerant.

What happens when an adult cat drinks milk? Busting the cats and milk myth

The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine suggests that when a cat who is lactose-intolerant drinks milk, the undigested lactose travels through the intestinal tract and draws in water. Bacteria in the colon produces volatile fatty acids by fermenting the unprocessed sugars.

This process may result in a distressed stomach and lead to vomiting. However, within eight to 12 hours, the cat might experience diarrhea – this is the most common indication of lactose intolerance in felines. Other issues may be abdominal pain and discomfort, loss of appetite and weight, and also cause behavior changes such as aggression, depression, or increased scratching.

Substitute to milk – if your cat just can’t do without it

In our observation, most cats prefer wet or dry food over a bowl of milk. However, if your cat has a particular liking for milk, you should never substitute it for proper nutrition but only use it as a treat for good behavior. Here are some substitutes:

Plain yogurt: Your cat may be able to tolerate yogurt better than milk. Acidic fermentation of milk results in yogurt. Lactose remains in minor quantities in the final product. That means cats and even lactose-intolerant humans can digest yogurt without many side effects. Yogurt has high protein content, calcium, vitamins B2 and B12, and minerals potassium and magnesium. The probiotics in yogurt may help cats with digestion. However, remember to feed this in moderation.

Lactose-free milk: Most pet stores and supermarkets provide lactose-free milk, including  Whiskas Catmilk for Cats and Kittens and Hartz Powdered Milk Replacer Formula for Kittens. This lactose-free milk is specially treated, and lactose enzymes are added to eliminate the lactose to ensure safe milk, so it does not make your cats uneasy.

Wet food:  Cats need plenty of water as it enables optimum organ function in cats. A great way to make sure your cat is getting enough water is by feeding him/her wet canned food. Cats are generally less keen on drinking water, so wet food is great for keeping cats hydrated. Wet foods for cats are often higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates than most dry diets. They are lower in calories per volume and offer built-in portion control versus pouring indiscriminately from a bag of dry food.

Our cats love Bellota Wet Food for Cats and Kittens right now, especially the Tuna variant. Given how fussy they are, this may change tomorrow. This is one of the better wet cat food brands available in the Indian market at a reasonable price. Have look at our recommended cat food here.

To sum it up, cats are drawn to the creamy liquid in milk for its high-fat content. They enjoy the flavor and scent of milk. Thus, it is okay to sometimes give them “lactose-free” milk or plain yogurt, but remember that these are not permanent replacements for nutrition-filled food such as meat, wet food, and dry food. Even for wet and dry food products, it is important to be able to discern the nutritional value they offer to ensure a cat’s health and well-being.

Just keep cats and milk away from each other. They just don’t mix.