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No, ferrets should not drink cow's milk. Like most pets, they make little of the enzyme that digests milk sugar, so milk often causes diarrhoea, and vets list dairy among foods ferrets should avoid. Clean water is the only drink a ferret needs. The one exception some charities mention is a fortified milk supplement made for pets, as an occasional extra.
| Safe? | No, not cow's milk |
|---|---|
| How much | None |
| How often | Never |
| Best served | Fresh water instead, in a heavy bowl or a bottle |
| Watch out for | Diarrhoea and losing too much water |
Why can't ferrets drink milk?
Milk contains lactose, a milk sugar, and ferrets cannot break it down well. The ASPCA says pets make very little lactase, the enzyme that digests milk sugar, so milk and other dairy can cause diarrhoea and stomach upsets. VCA lists dairy among the foods ferrets should avoid, and Aloha Vegas Vets says the same. Diarrhoea also costs a ferret water, and the RSPCA warns that ferrets become seriously ill without enough to drink.
Which milks are OK for ferrets?
| Milk | OK for ferrets? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cow's milk, whole or skimmed | No | Lactose causes diarrhoea |
| Goat's milk | No | Still contains lactose |
| Lactose-free milk | Not needed | Lower in milk sugar, but adds nothing a ferret needs |
| Oat, soya, almond or rice milk | No | Plant drinks with sugar and starch ferrets cannot digest |
| Fortified pet milk supplement | Occasionally | Woodgreen lists Lactol as an occasional treat |
No source we trust covers lactose-free or plant milks for ferrets directly, so we have reasoned from what vets say about ferrets and dairy, sugar and plant foods.
Can baby ferrets drink milk?
Kits drink their mother's milk until they are weaned, and cow's milk is not a substitute. If you have orphaned or very young kits, ring a vet straight away for the right replacement milk and feeding plan. PetMD says kits under 16 weeks should have their ferret food softened, and adult teeth arrive at about 7 to 11 weeks. Soften kibble with warm water, not milk.
My ferret drank milk: what should I do?
- Take it away. Remove the milk and note roughly how much was drunk.
- Offer fresh water. Make sure clean water is always available.
- Watch for a day. Loose droppings and a grumbly tummy are the most likely signs.
- Ring your vet if it goes on. Call if diarrhoea lasts more than a day, or sooner if your ferret stops eating, seems weak or you see blood. Our ferret health guide lists other warning signs.
What should ferrets drink instead?
Water, always. The RSPCA says ferrets need constant access to clean drinking water, checked twice a day. Woodgreen suggests heavy ceramic bowls, because ferrets love to tip and play with water bowls.
Offer water in a heavy bowl as well as a bottle. Some ferrets drink more from a bowl, and a second source means they are never stuck if a bottle spout jams.
For food, see our ferret diet guide and what can ferrets eat?. Cheese is covered in can ferrets eat cheese?, and eggs, a safe treat, in can ferrets eat eggs?. Wider care is in our ferret care guide.
More questions about ferrets and milk
Can ferrets drink lactose-free milk?
It is less likely to cause diarrhoea than ordinary milk, but there is no reason to give it. Milk adds nothing a ferret needs that water and a meat-based food do not provide, so we would leave it out.
Can ferrets have milk as a treat?
No. Even a little cow's milk can cause diarrhoea, and vets list dairy among foods ferrets should avoid. If you want a liquid extra, ask your vet about a fortified pet milk supplement. Woodgreen lists Lactol as an occasional treat.
Can ferrets drink kitten milk?
A fortified pet milk supplement is the one milk some ferret charities mention, as an occasional extra, and Woodgreen lists Lactol this way. For orphaned kits, ask a vet for the right replacement milk and feeding plan rather than choosing one yourself.
