Can a Siamese Cat Drink Milk – What You Need to Know!

Milk. Does it do a cat’s body good? I have seen a lot of TV shows and movies with cats that seem to love drinking milk. But can a Siamese cat drink milk?

Due to a genetic inability to digest lactose, many Siamese cats cannot drink milk. The nutrients so good for other mammals will go straight through their belly and come out the other end. And not in a way you’ll want to deal with!

There is a kind of milk that is 100% safe for a Siamese to drink though. The answer to that and more will be revealed as you read on…

Is milk bad for Siamese cats?

Milk is bad, not just for Siamese cats, but for most of our feline friends in general. Most cats are unable to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and milk products. That is why it’s not a great idea.

Many people remember the old movies, with Sally the Siamese drinking milk on the porch stoop. What they don’t see is the inevitable sequel.  This is where Sally races to the litter box with her legs crossed. 

But don’t kittens drink milk? Yes, and these nutrients are essential for the growing baby. If you have kittens with no mother cat to naturally give them the nutrients they need, a milk replacement might be necessary. Nutri-Vet Milk Replacement is one that I can recommend. It’s best for kittens from birth to weaning. Simply click the link to order it on Amazon.

But once weaned the enzyme responsible for digesting lactose, called lactase, disappears. 

Nobody quite knows why this happens. But you might agree that our physiology has a way of helping us out. It lets us know when it’s safe to eat or drink something, and when we’ve had too much. Cats are no different. 

I have actually seen my guys begin to drink from my cereal bowl, and stop after a few laps. Evolution has taught them that their bodies don’t react well to milk. And unlike a lot of us humans, cats tend to listen to their bodies.

Is it OK to give milk to cats?

It’s not OK to give milk to someone who’s lactose-intolerant. When a Siamese cat drinks a glass of milk – what, your cats don’t drink out of a glass? Oh, you must not have adopted your Siamese yet. Anyway, when a Siamese cat, or most any cat, drinks milk, the undigested lactose begins to ferment.

The following does not apply to all cats. But in my experience, it applies to enough of them to avoid it. 

This leads to a downward spiral of nausea, leading to diarrhea and vomiting, and weight loss. Then the stress caused by not knowing what’s going on in his body will lead to anxiety. The anxiety then causes unwanted scratching, and overgrooming. 

So, feeding your cat milk will only lead to a host of problems for both of you. According to Hill’s, If you really want to give your cat a milk treat, there are specially formulated “cat milk” products.  

What kind of milk can cats drink? 

The only kind of milk advisable for Siamese kittens is the one that comes from her momma’s teats. There are no actual benefits for your cat found in milk. Unfortunately for farmers everywhere, there is a new theory that says the same for humans.  

The milk that comes from her momma’s teats is full of the calories needed to help her grow strong.  This is the most efficient way for her to consume those calories. Your kitten is blind for the first two weeks of her life, so it would be pretty tricky for her to find a water bowl. Then, of course, she would just play in the water bowl.  

The proteins in milk that build your kitten’s muscles include: 

These proteins have done their job by the time your kitten is three months old. For more on the health benefits of milk, see this NCBI writeup.

What do Siamese cats drink? 

Water is the best and safest beverage for Siamese cats. Once he’s 12-weeks-old, your kitten can be weaned off of milk. But like us, he does need to stay hydrated. Luckily, the only fluid he needs to drink comes to us straight from the faucet.  

Milk is approximately 85 percent water. This explains why some cats with particularly robust stomachs can tolerate it.  

Cats and humans – all mammals in fact – need water for our bodies to function. It helps to digest food, pass stools and prevent crystals from forming in the urine. Water also helps to keep tissues and joints from drying out.  

Because your cat comes in a much more compact package, dehydration is a lot more dangerous for him. His water resources run out a lot faster than ours, so always make sure to provide lots of fresh, clean water!

How should I feed my Siamese cat water? 

While the answer to this question may seem obvious, it is actually quite complex because cats are notoriously picky. There are many options available, but let’s start with the water bowl.  

1. The Water Bowl: You should have at least one bowl of water for each cat. Some people say two, but it depends on accessibility. For instance, if you have a senior cat who isn’t as agile as she used to be, it’s a good idea to place water bowls on each floor.  For multiple cats, multiple bowls will prevent fights or dominance by the alpha cat. You can buy each one of them this Petmate Replendish Gravity Waterer with Microban. Simply click the link to complete the purchase on Amazon.

2. Water Fountain: Ever wonder why you find your cat sitting in your sink or bathtub? This is because she knows that fresh water is best for her, so she wants to drink from the faucet.  

As this isn’t always convenient, you may want to consider purchasing a pet water fountain. There are tons of these available to order on Amazon. I actually found one for you that’s the perfect size for cats of all sizes! The PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Cat Water Dispenser allows your pet to drink from either the upper or lower bowl. This is definitely ideal if you have more than one cat too! Just click the link to order it today.

You can also choose a zen waterfall scene or a model that looks a lot like a spaceship. They come everywhere from one to eight founts. Many come with a built-in filter as well.

Be warned, though, that this might happen. The package arrives. You set it up with eager anticipation – only to have your cat run in terror the second it turns on. This happened to me, with not one model, but three. So now I try to refill their water bowls with filtered water several times a day.  

3. Wet Food: While not fantastic for her dental health, wet food is a great way to get more water into your cat. This is especially important for cats who aren’t big water drinkers. You can also find a variety of yummy treats that contain high levels of moisture. You can cover all your bases by feeding a combination of wet and dry.  

Why does your Siamese cat like to drink milk? 

Does your cat ever bury his nose in your navel? How about needing your stomach? And then you have to tell him, “Sorry honey, there’s no milk there!” 

The whole experience of nursing at his mother’s teat evokes comforting memories.  It’s like how we still want hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day. Or our mother’s chicken soup when we’re sick.  

There’s no harm in this psychosomatic comfort. It can be a wonderful bonding experience. But unless your cat has a stomach of steel, I would stay away from the production of actual milk.

We gathered all the health tips tailored toward maintaining your Siamese cat’s optimal well-being. Check it out here: Siamese Cat Health: A Complete Guide