Is it bad to give cats and kittens milk?

Question

I heard that milk isn't good for felines, is that true? If so, what makes it so bad?

Answer 1

I've heard several and read several of the comments below but I have always given milk to cats and have never had one of them have any problems because of it. I have one at home now that will go drink out of your glass if you don't give him his own milk.

Answer 2

A lot of cats - and especially kittens- have a hard time with cow's milk because of the proteins in the milk , just like people who are lactose intolerant, and so they get diarreha. Kittens should be given the canned cat formula from a pet store if their mother isn't able to nurse them and they're too young. My cats usually can have a tiny bit of milk - like what's left after you drink the milk from your cereal - but not too often.

Answer 3

Baby mammals produce lactase, an enzyme that processes milk. When mammals are weaned, including kittens and babies, their lactase production drops. Most adult mammals cannot process milk as efficiently, and thus many cats are intolerant. Some cats can take it, and most can have a little now and then and it won't affect them too badly. Many people of European heritage have inherited a gene mutation which allows us to continue to produce lactase and digest milk into adulthood, although some people are more able than others to process milk; that is why there are many lactose intolerant people. Cats generally do not continue to produce lactase as adults.
Just like you should not give cow milk to babies, you should also not give cow milk to kittens. The reason cow milk is not suitable for human babies or kittens is because cow milk is intended to nourish calves, which are herbivorous animals. Kittens are carnivorous; as an adult their diets' staple is meat, not grass. Mother cats produce milk suitable for kittens from their diet of cat food, and cows produce milk from grass/hay/etc for calves. That's basically how it is.

Answer 4

It's not good for them. I give my adult cat milk sometimes but only in little bits. They'll get diarahhea if they have too much. There is special cats milk you can buy it looks like a juice box but it has a cat on it available at walmart and almost any pet store. I don't think it's very expensive. One of my other cats loves ice cream, and we let her have little bits of vanilla ice cream every so often. It's okay to let them have a little bit as a treat every so often just not as a regular part of their diet.

Answer 5

Cow's milk will give them the runs. If your cat is lactating or is still a kitten, and you want to give it some additional dietary supplements, go to a pet shop or pet food store. You can find millk or milk powder that's suitable for consumption by cats there.

Answer 6

Most cats are lactose intolerant and it will upset their stomach. Their bodies can't digest the lactose so they sometimes vomit and have bad diahrrea. If you must give them milk, and can't find kitten milk replacer, go with goat's milk. It has no lactose, so it shouldn't upset the babies stomachs. Adult cats really have no need for milk in their diets.

Answer 7

Humans are the only mammals that drink milk past infancy. Formula or momma's milk is best for kittens, but others are acceptable. My mother's cat died when her kittens were a week old, her dog is nursing them now.

Answer 8

I never had a huge problem giving my cats milk. Be noted that I did not give them a whole lot or do it all the time. You know too much of someting is never good for pets. Take care..

Answer 9

mcleod is right, cats are lactose intolerant. It can cause them terrible gas and painful diarrhea. My cats love the substitute cat milk you can get at petsmart and even some grocery stores.

Answer 10

a small bit once in a blue moon wont do any harm.
once weened all animal are unable to digest milk propley. whiskers now do special cat milk.