Can Cats Drink Cold or Warm Milk? Is it Safe? Things You Need to Know

Most of us have this image ingrained in our heads of cats enjoying a bowl of milk, but is it something they should drink in reality? Can milk make them sick? It is a general rule of thumb to never give cats human food. Does this apply to milk?

Can Cats Drink Cold or Warm Milk? Technically cats can consume milk. However, this does not imply that they should drink milk. Milk shouldn’t be given to cats on a regular basis but as a rare treat. It’s important for cats not to drink milk, as we discuss in this article

Do Cats Prefer Cold Milk?

Cats find cold milk refreshing, especially in the warmer months.

Even though it makes them sick, cats do seem to enjoy milk. Especially cold milk, as they find it thirst-quenching and refreshing. However, many cats are lactose intolerant, which means their bodies do not have the enzyme lactase. So, in general, cats cannot break down and digest the sugar lactose, leading to a sick cat with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, and watery stools. Not only that, the high-fat content in milk will make your cat obese if milk is made part of its diet. Milk does not reach your fur ball’s nutritional requirement and can simply make them very sick.

Can Cats Drink Boiled Milk?

No, cats cannot drink boiled milk as they are lactose intolerant. 

The benefit of boiled milk is that it does kill off some bacteria that can cause infections in your furry friend (and you). However, it is still milked with lactose in it. Since they cannot digest lactose, the sugar pulls out water content and is fermented by bacteria in their intestines, causing loose stools, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration. It’s better to keep your feline away from milk.

Interesting Read: Can Cats Drink Buttermilk?

Does Cat Milk Have To Be Warm? 

 No, it is not necessary for cats that their milk be warm. They prefer milk between 36 to 38 degrees Celsius.

When cats are born, they rely solely on their mother’s milk, so they have the enzyme lactase in their intestine. At 4-6 weeks, they ween off of mom’s milk; however, it seems that their craving for milk is still present. If this is the case, you can try to give your feline one to two tablespoons of milk and observe them for 24 hours. If your furry friend remains healthy, it could be that it is not lactose intolerant (few cats retain the lactase enzyme). However, vets do not recommend trying this.

Is Warm Milk Safe For Cats?

Milk, regardless of its temperature, is not safe for cats. It is not toxic. However, it will lead to a very sick cat with digestive issues and dehydration. Your cat will have sticky gums, trouble grooming itself, and loss of appetite. You will find your furry friend particularly lethargic. Not only that, if milk is given regularly, your furball will put on a few pounds due to the high-fat content in milk. Milk does not reach your cat’s nutritional requirements and contains excess fat, so you will have an overall, very unhealthy and sick pet.

Is Warm Milk Good For Kittens?

Yes, warm milk is suitable for kittens

Kittens have the enzyme lactase as they are solely on mother milk. Keep your kittens on their mother’s milk until 4-6 weeks, and do not give them cow’s milk. There’s nothing more perfect for a kitten than its mother’s milk.

If you have a kitten separated from its mother, give it a kitten milk replacer from a baby’s bottle at a lukewarm temperature. It should not exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit and should not be hot to the touch. Make sure they have one feeding of mother’s milk before you sleep so you can get a good night’s rest. Kittens need to be fed every 2-3 hours when they are born. This interval increases with every passing week.

Also, Read This: Can Cats Drink Milk? Are Cats Lactose Intolerant?

Can Cats Drink Almond Milk?

Cats can drink almond milk as almonds, essentially, are not toxic for them. The only concern with almond milk is its high caloric value. An average feline (considering its 10 pounds in weight) needs about 200 calories per day; a cup of almond milk has 100.

Also, almond milk might contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol which is highly toxic for cats, so avoid anything with artificial sweeteners and preservatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line on Can Cats Drink Cold or Warm Milk

Regardless of temperature, giving your cat milk is not a good idea. If you need to give your cat a treat, go for other options like lactose-free milk, bone broth, or goat’s milk, and that too in moderation.