# Can Cats Eat Milk UK? — Quick answer

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/can-cats-eat-milk-uk): Can Cats Eat Milk UK? — Quick answer. Most adult cats should not drink cow's milk. They lose the ability to digest lactose after weaning — milk commonly causes diarrhoea and stomach upset. Fresh water is all cats need. Kittens without a mother need specialist kitten milk replacer, not cow's milk.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/can-cats-eat-milk-uk): Can Cats Eat Milk UK? — The lactose problem. Kittens produce lactase enzyme to digest their mother's milk. After weaning, most cats lose this ability. Cow's milk contains lactose that adult cats cannot break down efficiently. The classic image of a cat lapping milk is misleading — many cats develop diarrhoea, wind, and abdominal discomfort after drinking it.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/can-cats-eat-milk-uk): Can Cats Eat Milk UK? — Kittens and milk. Orphaned or rejected kittens need kitten milk replacer (KMR) from a vet or pet shop — formulated with correct protein, fat, and taurine levels. Never feed cow's milk, goat's milk, or human baby formula to kittens.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/can-cats-eat-milk-uk): Can Cats Eat Milk UK? — What about cheese and yoghurt?. Small amounts of hard cheese or plain yoghurt are sometimes tolerated better — lower lactose than liquid milk. They are still unnecessary treats high in fat and salt. See can cats eat cheese.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/can-cats-eat-milk-uk): Can Cats Eat Milk UK? — What cats should drink. - Fresh water — changed daily - Wet food — provides significant daily fluid - Water fountains — some cats prefer running water Cats with kidney disease especially need good water intake — encourage drinking with wet food and multiple water stations.

Source: https://pethealth.org.uk/health/can-cats-eat-milk-uk