Can you feed kittens cow milk?

Question

I got a kitten from my friend. Can I feed her cow's milk?

Answer 1

Hi there... no, it causes diarrhoea/bowel distress. Cats do not have the proper enzymes to properly break down the sugar in milk which is called 'lactose.' You may have heard of people who are lactose-intolerant. They are also missing these digestive enzymes. If the proper enzymes are not present, the lactose remains undigested and tends to ferment in the intestine and cause diarrhea. Better yet, consider giving the kitty one of the special cat milks or kitten replacement milk (known as KMR) on the market that have had the lactose removed.

Here's an article on the misconceptions about milk for cats: http://www.fabcats.org/feeding.html
http://cats.about.com/cs/catfood/a/humanfood.htm

Answer 2

Cows milk is much higher in fat that cat milk and it will probably give your kitten the runs. What was it eating at your friends house? If it was mom-cats milk only, you might want to take it back until it is properly weaned, it will be better for the kitten in the long run.
If that isn't an option, go to a good feed or pet store, they will help you with kitten food.
A kitten with the runs is uncomfortable and it can make a big mess for you.
Best wishes and good luck with your new baby!

Answer 3

Ideally it's likely not the perfect thing, but I grew up on a farm with cats, and they all had cow's milk. My mom brought a kitten into the house whose mother had been killed and the kitten hadn't even opened it's eyes yet. My mother fed it cows milk with an eye dropper and that cat was my favourite pet and he lived to be 18. So, go for it.

Answer 4

Cats are NOT lactose intolerant; kittens may be, as they have difficulty digesting a "new" kind of milk, different from mother's milk. When cats are older, they have no problem with it. In fact, all of the cats I've ever had, as adults, have been virtually addicted to 1/2 and 1/2 and go crazy when I make coffee in the morning, knowing I'm bringing out the cream. They love it, and it has never caused a problem in any of my pound kitties.

Answer 5

YES! No Matter what some people say it's True. You CAN feed cats cow Milk. I had cats all my life and they always drank cow milk and were PERFECTLY HEALTHY & Happy! I have a six month old kitten That AAAALWAYYS drinks cow milk She is very Healthy too.!!!

Answer 6

its best to get milk substitute for cat at your local pet or grocery store. if you can't get that try baby formula or mix the cow's milk with dry kitten food so it is getting some solid food too. if its old enough to eat it or can food a tablespoon at a time.

Answer 7

I wouldn't becase it usually causes diarrhea but you can give Cat sip which is a non lactose milk made just for kitties

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

You shouldn't but if you want your cat to get milk but not let it get stomach problems you should try "Cat Sip" it is aviable at any place that sells cat food.

Answer 10

yeah, but not when they re so young. wait at least 6weeks.