If milk is so bad for cats, then why do they love it so much?

United States
September 14, 2007 8:19am CST
Lately, my big cat has been demanding milk everyday. Sometimes while I'm getting a cup of milk for my little kid, he will run in front of me. I'm sure that he is hoping I'll spill some milk for him to clean up. Some days he won't stop crying until I give him milk. But, I've heard that milk is not good for cats. Is that really true for all cats? He's never had a problem with it. Not that I can tell. And, he's allergic to soy cat milk, so I can't give him that. Always has been. And if milk is so bad for them, why do they love it so much?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@hgosinski (153)
• United States
14 Sep 07
You heard right, milk isn't good for kitties. It messes up their stomaches, gives them the runs! They make milk for cats and sell it by the petfood. You should get that for your kitty, so he doesn't end up leaving a mess anywhere! HA!
• United States
14 Sep 07
Yeah, that's exactly what happened when I gave him the soy cat milk. He got really sick to his stomach. So, did the baby cat. Soon as I took them off the soy cat milk, they both got better. But, both never got sick like that with regular cow's milk. Only the big cat likes the cows milk though. He was a tiny bit feral when we got him, so maybe that is the reason. Not sure why it's causing other cats to be sick then. Hmmm! That's a thinker.
@daring (234)
• India
15 Sep 07
yes i never think that milk is bad to cats and not only that they never know that its bad to them.even if it is bad to them to drink they cannot think about it
@miryam (6505)
• Italy
15 Sep 07
i dont know if it bad, but my cats liker milk, all cats....aqre bad ?? because???
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
14 Sep 07
I suppose its like chocolate to us.... It is true though, cats are lactose intolerant, and it can cause diarreah and stomach upsets and worse...
@meanangel (167)
• United States
14 Sep 07
Simple, Cats love milk for the same reason people like chocolate and french fries. They taste good and are bad for us. My older cats do fine with a little milk but is my kitten gets it be prepared to clean a lot of messes. The runs. AHHHH
@dpurchas (91)
• United States
15 Sep 07
Actually, I have heard that cats can be lactose intolerant, but not all. I have 3 cats that all love milk and have never had problems with the runs or any other stomach affliction. I asked my vet about that and was basically told that if they don't have a reaction to it, they aren't lactose intolerant (or I am not giving them enough to cause problems). In fact, I had a cat that had an intestinal issue that seemed to do better with a little milk each day. Go figure.
@sunshinecup (7871)
14 Sep 07
I have not heard that, but the first question that comes to my mind is, why is that and yet it's OK for us to drink? It's just like not giving a dog human food cause it's bad for them. That bothers me cause all I can think is this is an animal that eats it's own poop, but our food we eat isn't good for them? It's kind of scary.
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
14 Sep 07
Cats don't know whats good for them or bad for them, just like children don't. I don't mind giving the cats a drop or two, let them finish up the cereal milk, etc. But if I suspect that one is lactose intollerant I'll keep that one from the treat. Heck, I have to give the pills to my mom anyway so I know about lactose intollerance! I, on the other hand, am truely allergic to milk, it congests me so I don't eat a lot of it. I don't drink it, haven't for years, but I watch my cheese/ice cream intake. I figure a little bit won't hurt them & I have never had too much trouble with them. Sorry your cat can't have the cat milk, I raised Oliver on kitten milk I got at the vet, he was only a week old when I got him.
• United States
14 Sep 07
My cat loves a lot of things---peas, popcorn, chicken, pizza, noddles, etc. If I am eating something (alone) she will jump up onto the table and stare at me until I give her a piece. Usually I do it. Yes, not the best thing. But my cat is spoiled, but heavy. (And it gets annoying when you cat has those BIG EYES and meows constantly.) They make milk made for cats and dogs. Purina, I think, makes them. You should be able to find it at the pet isle at your grocery store. If not you could try Pet Co or Pets Mart.