Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Can Cats Drink Chocolate Milk? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

Can Cats Drink Chocolate Milk

There have been images and videos of cats drinking milk for decades. As such, the habit perpetuates, and most owners believe that it is acceptable to give their cats milk. However, the truth is that milk is bad for cats. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant, and vets agree that they should not be given any flavored milk, including chocolate milk.

Unfortunately, the milk contains a lot of fat and sugar, which is what attracts them, and it is high in calories. However, there are several healthy alternatives that won’t leave you having to clean up after a lactose-intolerant cat that has had too much milk.

divider 2 cats

Is Milk Safe For Cats?

During the first 2 months of their lives, cats consume all of their nutrients through their mother’s milk. Once this change occurs, they can no longer process the sugar in milk. Their bodies do not produce the required enzyme because they no longer need it. That is what causes lactose intolerance, and basically, every cat suffers from it after a few months of age.

Hungry cat near empty bowl
Image Credit: Crazy nook, Shutterstock

If your cat drinks milk, they can suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Your cat may be able to stomach a few mouthfuls of milk, but they will not process it properly. Milk is also packed with calories. While your cat will likely recover after drinking a few sips, as a one-off, the regular feeding of chocolate milk can lead to obesity, and chocolate is poisonous to cats.

Chocolate milk does not contain much cocoa (depending on the product, anywhere from 1% to 25%), but it can certainly increase the risk of toxicity in cats if they drink enough of it. Consuming too much fatty and sugary food can lead to obesity, which is as dangerous in cats as it is in people.

Obesity in cats can increase the risk of your cat developing:
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Heart disease
  • Hypertension
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Bladder stones

Cats are not attracted to the chocolate flavor of chocolate milk. They don’t have a sweet tooth like dogs. They are attracted to the fat in the milk, which is why they love ice-cream products. 

Other Ways to Add Calcium to Your Cat’s Diet

People are encouraged to drink milk because it is a great source of calcium. It is also an essential nutrient for cats, which means that they need to get this mineral in the food they eat.

Calcium and phosphorus levels in the body are maintained at a fine balance, by the parathyroid hormone. However, there are other great sources of calcium that your cat can benefit from. Other sources include a complete commercial diet formulated based on AAFCO guidelines, rich in animal protein. Healthy cats will not need additional calcium, and supplementation may lead to adverse effects, so always consult with your vet before giving your cat any food supplements.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content for PangoVet2 save money

Alternatives To Milk

If the goal of feeding milk to a cat is to provide hydration, they only need water, and they may be getting a lot of their water requirements from wet food. Whatever your cat eats, ensure that they have a supply of fresh water available to prevent the adverse effects of dehydration.

Plant alternatives to cow milk also risk giving your cat an upset stomach, so consult your vet before considering any type of milk for your cat.

  • Almond milk is used as an alternative to cow’s milk by people who are lactose intolerant, and it is considered suitable for cats. However, cats are carnivores. They would not eat nuts in the wild and would likely turn their noses up at almonds. Almond milk contains no lactose and is high in protein, but your cat may not like it. Either way, it should not be a regular part of their diet.
  • Rice milk is another alternative. It is naturally sweet and is made from brown rice and sugar. Your cat does not benefit from the sweetness because they cannot taste it. Because of the high caloric and sugar content, rice milk should only be served occasionally.
  • Coconut milk is another alternative milk that does not contain lactose. It is high in fats, and it should ideally be avoided or only offered occasionally as a special treat.
  • Cat milk is made by several brands, and it is lactose-reduced milk. It still contains some lactose, and if your cat is especially sensitive to it, they can suffer gastrointestinal distress after drinking just a small amount. It’s also high in calories. It should be fed in moderation but can be used to supplement the diet of an undernourished, underweight cat or for feeding orphaned kittens.

Flavored milk has ingredients that may be toxic, and they could cause a lot more harm than ordinary milk. Again, consulting your vet and doing a detailed check of the ingredient list is crucial before considering even the tiniest amount of milk for your cat. The only safe option is to stick to water since your cat does not need milk in any form.

divider 2 cats

Is Chocolate Milk Safe For Cats?

Chocolate milk is not safe for cats. It contains lactose, and cats are lactose intolerant after 2 months. They can suffer an upset stomach and vomiting in the short term. In the long term, the high fat and calorie levels of chocolate milk can also lead to obesity, which is common in cats and can cause long-term and debilitating illnesses. Although present in a very small amount, the chocolate in the milk is toxic to cats. 

Although milk is high in calcium, cats can get enough of the essential minerals from their daily diet. There is no reason to give milk to a cat, especially since they do not have a sweet tooth. Some milk alternatives, including coconut and almond milk, might be suitable but should be fed sparingly.

Even cat milk, available from most pet shops, should only be served occasionally in small portions. However, fresh water is the only liquid cats need to consume to stay healthy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Can Cats Eat Vanilla Pudding? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

Cats are independent creatures, but they rely on us humans to take care of their nutritional needs. Commercial cat food is the easiest...

Catster_Can Cats Eat Vanilla Pudding_v1_Dec 4 2024

Can Cats Eat Pancakes? Vet-Verified Nutritional Facts & Health Advice

If you have a family tradition of eating pancakes for breakfast on a Saturday morning, you might feel bad for excluding your cat....

Can Cats Eat Pancakes

Can Cats Drink Buttermilk? Vet-Approved Diet Facts & FAQ

Cats eagerly lapping up milk is a picture etched in most of our minds from old movies and children’s books. Milk used to...

Can Cats Drink Buttermilk

Can Cats Eat Butter? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

You probably found this article because you own a cat, and one of two things is true: they got into butter you left...

Can Cats Eat Butter

More related

Can Cats Drink Pedialyte

Can Cats Drink Pedialyte? Vet Approved Advice

Pedialyte is an oral solution consisting of mostly water with added electrolytes. It is commonly used as a treatment for dehydration in children,...

Got milk?

Someone Pour Me Up A Double Shot of Milk, Please: Alex’s Nightcaps

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and...

Can Cats Eat Pecan Pie

Can Cats Eat Pecan Pie? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Pecan Pie is a delicious dessert traditionally served in the United States during the winter and fall. It is mouth-wateringly sweet and contains...

Can Cats Drink Coconut Water? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Coconut water is the clear liquid that is found inside young coconuts. It is packed with electrolytes and is known to offer benefits...

Keep reading

6 Strange Items Cats Like to Collect & Why (Vet-Reviewed Info)

Cats are interesting animals that often do things that remain a mystery to us. One behavior that some cats engage in is collecting random items. There’s yet to be a concrete explanation for why cats will collect, hide, or hoard...

Cat-hunting-to-toy-mouse-at-home

Why Does My Cat Sleep on Me? 6 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & Solutions

Cats have strange and quirky behaviors that help keep their owners both entertained and confused. One common yet endearing habit of felines is choosing to curl up and sleep on their owners. While having your cat snooze on your lap...

cat sleeping on its owner's chest

How Do Cats Carry Their Kittens? & Why It Doesn’t Hurt Them (Vet-Verified Info)

If your cat has recently had kittens, you’ve probably seen her moving the kittens around by the scruff of their necks. Many pet parents worry that this hurts the kitten and that the mother cat does it as a form...

Mother cat running with newborn kitten in her mouth

Can Cats Be Allergic to Catnip? Feline Facts & Alternatives (Vet-Reviewed Info)

So, your cat had some catnip and is now acting weird. Should you be worried? Well, you’re in luck because in most cases, you don’t need to worry! Catnip isn’t an addictive substance. However, some cats may be allergic to...

jar of catnip

Why Does My Cat Hide and Sleep in the Closet? 9 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & Tips

Cats are fun pets, but they can exhibit many strange behaviors, one being hiding and sleeping in the closet. We know it can be alarming when your pet suddenly disappears, especially if you aren’t sure why your cat might be...

ginger cat hiding in the closet

How to Handle Food Aggression in Cats: 11 Vet-Reviewed Tips & Tricks

Dealing with food aggression in a cat can be overwhelming and even scary at times. Food aggression can exhibit itself in a variety of ways, including growling, biting, food stealing, and attacking. Unfortunately, without appropriate management, food aggression will almost...

tabby cat eating cat food out of bowl inside

Why Is Your Cat Dry Heaving? 7 Vet-Approved Reasons

If you own a cat, you are likely to be familiar with that unmistakable gagging noise, which seems to happen out of nowhere and have you moving like a ninja to locate your furry friend and a potential pile of...

British Chinchilla kitten throwing up

Can Cats Eat Hummus? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition and Safety Facts

Hummus is a popular Middle Eastern food enjoyed by many Americans. You can enjoy hummus as a dip, dish, or spread, and if you enjoy eating it in your home, you probably wonder if your cat would like it as...

Can Cats Eat Hummus