Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Do cats nowadays drink cows' milk like they did in the 80s?

90 replies

PhaseFour · 22/11/2025 16:03

Today, we have brought out 2 gorgeous rescue kittens home. I asked at the rescue shelter about what to feed them, what time, how often, and assumed that they would drink water, so didn't ask, but they won't touch it, amd seemed to shirk away from the bowl. They must be thirsty though.

Growing, in the 80s (when I last had a cat) we used to give it saucers of cows milk, but that can't be good for cats can it?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
ZenZazie · 23/11/2025 01:16

It’s all catnip meowtinis now I’m afraid.

StruggleFlourish · 23/11/2025 03:41

Thank you for adopting two beautiful rescue kittens, (I call them beautiful even though we haven't seen a picture of them yet because you know darn well that they are beautiful.)

If you don't know the exact age, yes posting photographs will help, many of us here are pretty experienced with judging cat ages - stages.

It is true that cow milk is not the best thing, cats are lactose intolerant, and a product known as kitten milk is good for them. Depending on how young they are, they may not be very used to eating solid food yet? When I was transitioning my kittens from the teat to the bowl, I took a kitten blend of wet cat food, (kitten blend usually has higher protein) and mixed it with a bit of water to make it a bit wetter, not soupy exactly, but just wetter, and I also tried mixing some wet food with kitten milk in a separate bowl.

If they really really aren't drinking, that might be a problem, you don't want them to get dehydrated. You might want to try a bowl, a plate, you might want to try tap water, you might want to try distilled water or spring water, you're not quite sure what the cats will be used to or what their tastes are. The most important thing is to get them drinking even if they're not eating just yet.

I put their wet food on a plate because I thought they might have difficulty figuring out how to use a bowl because they were small. It was a messy time, feeding meant that they were stepping in the food and getting it all over their little faces but that's okay. Just gives you an opportunity to bond with them as you clean them up.

I had to have taken 10 million pictures when my kittens were born because I knew how quickly they would grow, and gosh they did! I hope that you enjoy every moment with your two new additions.

tragichero · 23/11/2025 03:42

Mine loves cat milk! Supermarketa have own brand versions that are pretty affordable..

My SIL mixes some water with her cat's.nirmal.food as she never sees him drink

Good luck and enjoy!

Greenfinch7 · 23/11/2025 03:49

As lots of people have said, cats don't drink from water near their food. Put the water at least 6 feet away!

Cat tax please? Or have I missed it?

CrikeyMajikey · 23/11/2025 04:54

One or our cats loves milk. Started when a kitten and DD would share he weetabix with the kitten. Moved on to a Catuccino - warm, frothy milk every morning. Cat is now 7 and actually chews the milk bottle if it’s out and she hasn’t had her Catuccino.

Cat is half Turkish Angoran, I believe originally street cats, which would make sense as she literally eats anything. She once licked a hole in a honey dew melon to get to the flesh to eat.

She drinks water too, only from the tap, is very healthy and much loved.

CurlewKate · 23/11/2025 05:07

I have very rarely seen any of my cats drinking-I think they get what they need from wet food.

WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 23/11/2025 05:15

Cats hate the chemicals in tap water. Mine would prefer to drink rain water in random dirty containers outside rather than tap water, but I imagine if yours are kittens they're not going out yet.

Maybe try spring water?

ItWasTheBabycham · 23/11/2025 05:23

You’re being extremely unreasonable, OP… still no photos?!
on the milk, kitten milk can get them drinking but it may be the shape of the bowl that’s bothering them. Try a shallower saucer. I had a cat once who would only drink by dipping her paw and licking off that….

PhaseFour · 23/11/2025 06:07

Apologies for late payment of cat tax!

Do cats nowadays drink cows' milk like they did in the 80s?
OP posts:
CurlewKate · 23/11/2025 06:15

When was it discovered that cats are lactose intolerant? And who discovered it? The manufacturers of special milk for cats?

springintoaction2 · 23/11/2025 06:18

@PhaseFour super cute!!

We had kitten milk for ours when they were little - just because it was fun watching them drink 😅

Now they have water in a little bowl next to food.

They will drink when thirsty.

PhaseFour · 23/11/2025 06:19

You cat people are a helpful and friendly lot! Really appreciate all the advice.
I've moved the water away, and will just leave a mug with some water in it out for them, as sure enough, the water was next to the food bowl & in a stainless steal bowl. They're eating the same wet food as at the rescue centre, and have good appetites.

They've settled in really well - yesterday after just a couple of hours, they were climbing on my neck and sitting on my lap. I'm assuming being together made the whole move less terrifying than if I'd just adopted one.

They have made such a difference to the feel of our home & family already. We're all besotted with them.
Hopefully the photo will be cleared to view soon.
Thanks again everyone.

@JugendstielI understand.
I still get pangs when I think of my beautiful dog who passed away about 6 years ago now.

OP posts:
C080889 · 23/11/2025 06:19

Dont stress. My cats 14. Barely drinks water. Will usually have 1 big drink a day. I sometimes hear her at 2am having a mega drink! Fit and healthy.

Congrats on your new babies. X

worrisomeasset · 23/11/2025 06:20

CurlewKate · 23/11/2025 06:15

When was it discovered that cats are lactose intolerant? And who discovered it? The manufacturers of special milk for cats?

I discovered my cat was lactose intolerant in about 1990, the clue being all the diarrhoea clinging to his arse fur.

JustMe2026 · 23/11/2025 06:25

Our 3 have there bowls of wet,dry food and water and have been happy enough. Sometimes they drink a lot other times they don't but that's how I've done it for years :)

butterycroissants · 23/11/2025 07:26

Our cats have cows milk twice a day - none of them ever get the runs and they go absolutely crazy for it.

WolfFoxHare · 23/11/2025 07:29

Aussiegold · 22/11/2025 16:10

Don't put the water bowl next to their food bowl, they don't like it! Ideally have a few dotted about the house.

Top tip, NEVER drink from a glass you have left unattended in thir vicinity.......

Yes, I was going to say - if you really want them to drink water, leave a glass of it on your nightstand and turn your back.

Pussert · 23/11/2025 08:58

I very rarely see my cat drink either. I do add some water to her wet food though so she gets some extra fluid.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 23/11/2025 09:03

WolfFoxHare · 23/11/2025 07:29

Yes, I was going to say - if you really want them to drink water, leave a glass of it on your nightstand and turn your back.

We just leave a full pint glass of water on the kitchen table...

BertieBotts · 23/11/2025 09:05

Some areas of the UK have chlorine added to the water, cats don't like the smell. My mum collects rainwater for her cats.

DuchessDandelion · 23/11/2025 11:11

PhaseFour · 23/11/2025 06:07

Apologies for late payment of cat tax!

Those faces! Butter wouldn't melt...Sweetness and mischief battling for superiority!

You are going to an experience a level of cat slavery you didn't know was possible 😊

Xmasdemon · 23/11/2025 13:14

I give my cat a drop of milk here and there. Cats love milk. When I have lactose free milk in they get a full bowl. Its good for their teeth.

Xmasdemon · 23/11/2025 13:15

worrisomeasset · 23/11/2025 06:20

I discovered my cat was lactose intolerant in about 1990, the clue being all the diarrhoea clinging to his arse fur.

I think a human would have the same reaction of their body wasn't used to cow's milk

KilliMonjaro · 23/11/2025 15:34

No

Catpiece · 23/11/2025 15:39

My cat is an old fashioned sort. He loves milk. He also loves his water which is a suitable distance away from the food tray