Can you give a kitten cow's milk? What vets say
No: cow's milk is not recommended for kittens or cats. Many do not have enough lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose, and dairy can cause diarrhea and digestive upset. A kitten who still needs nursing and has no mother needs kitten milk replacer, and a weaned kitten only needs kitten food and fresh water.
Quick answers
- Cow's milk?No: it can cause diarrhea.
- Goat's milk?Not as a regular food either: VCA notes it has too little protein and fat for a kitten.
- Orphaned kitten a few weeks old?Commercial kitten milk replacer, warmed, and ask the vet.
- When do they leave milk?Weaning usually starts at 3–4 weeks and finishes around 8 weeks.
- What does a weaned kitten drink?Fresh, clean water, always available.
In this guide
Why cow's milk is bad for them
The idea of a kitten with a saucer of milk is a myth. The ASPCA explains that pets do not have significant amounts of lactase, so milk and other dairy can give them diarrhea or other digestive upset. Cornell also advises against milk as a treat, because many cats are lactose intolerant.
In a kitten, diarrhea is more delicate than in an adult because they dehydrate faster. We cover this in kitten with diarrhea.
What to give by age
| Situation | What to give |
|---|---|
| Newborn with their mother | Their mother's milk. In the first hours they receive colostrum, rich in antibodies. |
| Kitten without a mother or with little mother's milk | Commercial kitten milk replacer, warmed to 35–37.8 °C (95–100 °F), following the package and the vet's instructions. |
| 3–4 weeks | Weaning starts: small amounts of kitten wet food or soaked kitten kibble. |
| Toward 8 weeks | Full wean: complete kitten food and water. |
| Weaned kitten and adult | They do not need milk. Complete food for their life stage and fresh water. |
For how much and how many times a day, see what do kittens eat. If you do not know their age, see how to tell a kitten's age.
If you found a very small kitten
- Do not give cow's milk. If you cannot get kitten milk replacer, VCA says pasteurized goat's milk only works as an emergency until you get it.
- Keep them warm: newborn kittens do not regulate their temperature.
- Take them to the vet as soon as possible: they will show you how and how often to feed them.
Water, always
A weaned kitten needs fresh, clean water at all times, away from the food bowl and, if you can, with a second water source elsewhere in the house.
Signs to see the vet
Contact your vet if your kitten:
- Has diarrhea after drinking milk that does not improve, or has vomiting.
- Is lethargic, weak, or will not eat.
- Shows signs of dehydration: dry or sticky gums, or the skin on their back does not spring back quickly when gently pinched.
- Is a kitten only a few weeks old without their mother.
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Frequently asked questions
Why do people say cats drink milk?
It is a custom, not a veterinary recommendation. Cow's milk can give them diarrhea.
What about lactose-free or "cat" milk?
The sources we checked do not discuss lactose-free milk. In any case, a weaned kitten does not need milk: ask your vet before giving any dairy or supplement.
Can I give yogurt or cheese?
They are dairy: the ASPCA warns that milk and dairy products can cause diarrhea or digestive upset.
What milk do I give a newborn kitten?
Their mother's, or, if they do not have it, kitten milk replacer sold at vet clinics and pet stores, with a vet's guidance.
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Related pages
Sources
- "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets". ASPCA Animal Poison Control. aspca.org
- "Feeding Your Cat". Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. vet.cornell.edu
- "Raising Kittens". VCA Animal Hospitals. vcahospitals.com
- "Feeding your cat or kitten". International Cat Care (iCatCare). icatcare.org
- "Caring for your new kitten" (leaflet). International Cat Care (iCatCare). icatcare.org
- Case, J. "Kitten Diarrhea". PetMD, February 24, 2023. petmd.com
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