Is milk bad for cats? My cat was hacking up a storm at 4 am and I think it's because I gave him a little milk.

Question

Or could it be a hairball? He has never done this, aside from once when we fed him tuna from the can. He hacked a bit, but nothing came up.

Answer 1

Cats should not drink human milk because they are lactose intolerant, but that shouldn't make him hack up (at least not to my knowledge). I think it loosens their bowels. It's probably a hairball (my cats don't always spit anything up - I think they sometimes just need to clear their throats), but make sure to keep an eye on him just in case. If he continues, go ahead and take him to a vet. Good luck!

Answer 2

Milk can sometimes cause diahrrhea and bowel problems in cats. NO cat receiving a nutritious, balanced diet needs milk and a lot of cats are actually lactose-intolerant. The best thing for you to do is cease to give your cat milk; there's no need to do so.

I doubt milk would be the reason your cat was hacking up a storm; if it was lactose-intolerant I'm pretty sure you'd realize that by now since the side-effects of the milk would be a lot worse.

If the hacking happens much too often or they get worse, then you should take him to the vet; a lot of complications can come up from lodged hairballs and other respetory problems.

Answer 3

You should NEVER give cats, kittens or adults, milk. It can cause digestive problems and can make your kitty ill. Most grocery stores sell milk made especially for cats and kittens and can be found in the pet aisle.

If the hacking continues, I'd go and buy some hairball gel, my cats love it, so I'm guessing it tastes good to them. Also, perhaps buying hairball control food [such as MeowMix's Hairball Control Formula] will help your cat out a bit more.

Answer 4

Assuming that you are talking about cow milk, yes, it is bad. The levels of calcium of cow milk are too high for a cat to drink, even humans. Not saying the cat can't drink a few drops, but don't give them whole plates like you see in old cartoons. In excess it can cause diarrhea and other symptoms, also due to its lactose. The milk that perhaps is the most adequate milk both for cats and humans is goat milk because it has lower levels of calcium.

Answer 5

Milk can cause diarhea in cats and in general it is not good for them but that probably did not cause the gagging. More likely a hairball especially if your cat is long haired. There are several good commercial diets available for this but you can also try this trick: put a small amount of plain unmedicated vaseline on his nose or paw. Cats will instinctively lick it off and the jelly help to loosen the hair ball. It is perfectally safe for kitty. When in doubt; however, contact your vet.

Answer 6

You should never give them cow's milk (or any other milk other than it's mothers or specifically designed cats milk) They may sit there supping it up and enjoying it but it damages their insides, They may have diarrhoea the next day but over the years it will damage their kidneys and often livers 5-10 yrs later. Many cats are lactose intolerant, Only feed them milk designed for cats.

Answer 7

It could be a hairball. Cow's milk can be bad for cats, but it causes diarrhoea, not hacking really.

Either way, no more milk for him!

Chalice

Answer 8

That sounds like it could be a hairball. However, I have been told that milk is not good for them either.

Answer 9

Milk is bad for cats because they are lactose intolerant. They like bottled water instead. My cats go crazy when I give them water from the Brita filter jug.

Answer 10

Cats cannot digest the lactose in cows' milk and it causes upset tummies. It is more likely to cause diarrhoea than vomiting though.