Can cats eat milk?
In small amounts only. milk isn't toxic to cats, but it isn't something to hand over freely either.
Why
Most adult dogs and cats lose the enzyme needed to digest lactose after weaning, so milk tends to mean diarrhea rather than poisoning. Ice cream adds sugar, fat, and the possibility of chocolate or xylitol.
What to watch for
Gas, bloating, loose stool, diarrhea within a few hours.
What to do
Uncomfortable rather than dangerous. Offer water and skip it next time.
For cats specifically:
The saucer of milk is a myth — cats are among the most lactose intolerant pets there are.
This page is not veterinary advice and is not a diagnosis. It's a general reference for a common food, and it can't account for your pet's size, age, health conditions, medications, or how much they actually ate. Toxicity is almost always about dose. If your pet has eaten something you're worried about — or is showing any symptoms — call your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital, or a poison control hotline right away. Never induce vomiting unless a veterinary professional tells you to.