Are your cats keen on cheese? Cats are drawn to cheese because of its strong scent, their taste buds can tell it is full of protein and fat and they also enjoy the taste. Many owners naturally wonder if their cats can eat cheese safely. Cheese is non-toxic to our feline friends. Cats can eat cheese, but it doesn't agree with most of them in large quantities. Contrary to popular belief, cheese (and milk) is not recommended as a regular treat because most cats are lactose intolerant. Cats cannot adequately digest dairy products even though some cats like to eat cheese anyway due to its flavour! 

Cats are obligate carnivores and require high-protein diets (at least 70% meat) containing little to no dairy products, this includes cheese, cream and milk. Unfortunately, cheese will not provide the right nutrition to support your cat, despite how tasty it might be.

Can Cats Eat Cheese?

Can I give my cat cheese? It can be confusing introducing your cat to new foods like cheese. Many owners are curious about feeding their cats cheese because their pets show a strong interest in it and it seems like a tasty treat. Feeding your cat human food can seem like fun but most cats are lactose intolerant and cannot adequately digest dairy products, this means that feeding them cheese can upset their stomachs and even cause health issues in the long run.

Dairy Intolerance and Dairy Allergy in Cats

Many adult cats are lactose intolerant because they lack the enzyme lactase needed to digest lactose found in dairy products like cheese. Once a kitten is old enough they lose their ability to digest lactose, which is initially needed for their development. Their production of the enzyme lactase either slows down or stops entirely. It is important to understand that the milk kittens require from their mother when they are developing is very different from cow's milk and as such one is essential and the other is detrimental for healthy cats. Therefore, lactose intolerance is common in adult cats and is considered a normal part of their digestive development, rather than an illness. Cats that experience lactose intolerance or dairy allergies after eating cheese may display the following symptoms 12-14 hours after consuming it: 

  • Diarrhoea: Your cat may experience diarrhoea (loose bowel movements). This happens because the lactose cannot break down properly within the small intestine and continues into the large intestine. 
  • Vomiting: Your cat may also experience vomiting after consuming cheese.
  • Abdominal Pain: Your cat may feel pain from trapped gas and aches from consuming cheese. They may also appear lethargic. 

My cat ate cheese what should I do? Monitoring your cat’s reaction to cheese is important, you will need to contact your vet if they experience repeated or prolonged bouts of vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal gas pain or blood in their vomit or stool. Be aware of any changes to your cat’s appetite too. Some cases of lactose intolerance may be more serious, depending on how much lactose your cat has consumed and how much pain they are in.

Is Cheese Safe For Cats?

Can you feed cats cheese safely? Cheese is not toxic to cats but should be given in small amounts due to its lactose content. Small pieces of cheese can be an acceptable treat for some cats, but you will need to introduce it slowly and monitor their reaction carefully.

Cheese also contains a lot of fat and salt which can be detrimental to your pet’s health in high quantities. Moderation is key to avoiding issues like stomach upset or obesity. 

What Cheese is Safe for Cats?

Hard, mature cheeses typically contain less lactose than soft cheese and are more likely to be tolerated by cats. However, even safe cheeses need to be given in moderationGenerally, the longer a cheese has aged, the less lactose present. Check out our list of cat-safe cheese below, but remember that plenty of other treats have been formulated to be palatable for cats and safe to give to your pet. 

  • Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar is one of the most popular types of cheese found in our fridges in the UK. Cheddar should be in minimal amounts to reduce abdominal discomfort or diarrhoea.
  • Swiss Cheese: Swiss cheese also contains low amounts of lactose and is one of the safer types of cheese for cats to consume. 
  • Parmesan: Harder, aged cheeses are generally safer for cats because they're lower in lactose, but you should avoid soft cheeses, cheeses with spices, and mouldy cheeses.

What About Cheesy Cat Treats?

At Dreamies, we have created delectable cheese based cat treats that are formulated to be safe for cats to consume! These treats contain much less lactose content than regular cheese and have balanced nutrients, making them the perfect way to treat your cat to cheese without putting them at risk of digestive issues. We advise that you always check the ingredients on treat labels to ensure all cat treats are appropriate for your cat’s diet and age. 

When studying the labels on cat treats it is important to note that ingredients are listed in order of weight, with the first few ingredients being the most prevalent. Cheese-based commercial treats provide convenience and safety versus feeding your pet human cheese, but they still need to be used in moderation!

When Cheese Is a No-No

Some types of cheese are much more dangerous than others. Blue cheese should not be given to cats as it contains the mould penicillium which can be toxic. Blue cheese is low in lactose, however, the presence of penicillium and its high-fat content make it very unsuitable for cats. Any cheese with mould will be toxic to cats. Cheese extremely high in salt is also a no-no, such as American cheese. 

Cat looks where on the table is a cheese board with different cheeses

How to Feed Cheese to Your Cat

If you decide to offer your cat some cheese, always remember that hard (low-lactose) cheese is the best option to avoid stomach upset or other health issues. Start slowly by offering them a bit of cheese to see how they get on with it. Monitor for any adverse reactions and avoid feeding your cat cheese if the cat shows signs of lactose intolerance, such as diarrhoea, vomiting or abdominal pain. Your cat may be in pain from trapped gas and aches from consuming cheese. They may also appear lethargic. Cheese should only be an occasional treat!

Conclusion

Ultimately, all cats will react differently to cheese, so remember to start slow, only use hard cheese (as this has lower levels of lactose) and monitor for any adverse effects. Alternatively, cheese-based cat treats are another great option for your pet. If your pet does struggle with digesting cheese and symptoms continue longer than a day we encourage cat owners to consult a veterinarian for dietary advice. Did you know that cats can eat bananas?

FAQ

What happens if my cat eats cheese?

Don’t panic! Cheese is not toxic to cats but shouldn’t be consumed often. Monitor for any adverse reactions and avoid feeding your cat more cheese if the cat shows signs of lactose intolerance, such as diarrhoea, vomiting or abdominal pain. Your cat may be in pain from trapped gas and aches from consuming cheese.

Is it okay to give a cat a little bit of cheese?

No, but yes! Ideally, you shouldn’t because although cats love the taste, cheese contains lactose and cats are lactose intolerant. However, you can test out how well your cat tolerates cheese by feeding them a small amount and monitoring for any adverse reactions. Avoid feeding your cat cheese if the cat shows signs of intolerance, such as diarrhoea, vomiting or abdominal pain.

Can cats have a taste of cheese?

No, but yes! Ideally, you shouldn’t because although cats love the taste, cheese contains lactose and cats are lactose intolerant. However, you can test out how well your cat tolerates cheese by feeding them a small amount and monitoring for any adverse reactions. Avoid feeding your cat more cheese if the cat shows signs of intolerance, such as diarrhoea, vomiting or abdominal pain.