Is it safe for my cat to drink milk?

Mostly no, even though pop culture insists otherwise. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant — they stop producing the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar around weaning age. The result: gas, loose stool, an unhappy cat for several hours.

A small saucer of cow's milk won't kill a cat, but it's not a treat — it's a cause of GI upset. The "cat with milk" image came from a time when cats lived around dairy farms and got cream, which is lower in lactose. Modern store-bought milk is mostly lactose.

If your cat clearly likes milky things, "cat milk" products (lactose-free, fortified) are sold in pet stores. Goat's milk is lower in lactose than cow's milk and some cats handle it. Plain unsweetened lactose-free cow's milk in tiny amounts is also okay for the rare cat who tolerates it.

Better alternatives that satisfy the "creamy treat" instinct:
- A teaspoon of plain Greek yogurt (some cats love it, others won't touch it)
- A small lick of bone broth (no onion, no garlic)
- The water from a tin of (water-packed, unsalted) tuna — once a week max

The drink they actually need? Plain water. Many cats under-drink, which contributes to kidney issues. A water fountain often gets them drinking more than a bowl.