Can cats eat milk?
Ask your vet about your own pet. This page is general information from the sources below.
Milk is only for small amounts, or in certain forms, for cats. Source: ASPCA. The VCA says cats of all ages should not be fed milk. Kittens lose the ability to digest milk sugar around 12 weeks old, and milk can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Merck also says raw milk should not be fed to cats. Skip it. Use water; kittens need kitten formula only.
Checked October 29, 2026.
Why
The VCA says cats of all ages should not be fed milk. Kittens lose the ability to digest milk sugar around 12 weeks old, and milk can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Merck also says raw milk should not be fed to cats.
How to serve it
Skip it. Use water; kittens need kitten formula only.
Good to know
The trouble is lactose, the milk sugar. Many cats and dogs cannot digest it well.
Watch for: Ice cream, creamy dips and milk-based foods bring the same stomach upset.
Already ate it?
If your pet ate a lot, or you are worried, call your vet. Say what was eaten, how much and when, and have your pet's weight ready.
Poison emergency? Call now
ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435, 24 hours a day, every day. A consultation fee may apply.
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661, 24/7. $99 per incident, follow-up calls included.
Or call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
For the children
"Milk is only a tiny treat for cats, and only a grown-up decides how much."
A job: Be the label reader. Before a grown-up shares any food with the cat, check this page, and ask a grown-up if the food is not on it.
This page is general information from the sources below, not veterinary advice. Your own vet knows your cat. Cats differ.
Sources
- ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets (checked October 29, 2026)
- VCA Animal Hospitals: True or False: Milk and tuna are great foods for cats (checked October 29, 2026)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Proper Nutrition for Cats (checked October 29, 2026)