You may be tempted to give your cat a snack of cheese here and there, but be careful; it is actually very bad for them.
While it may be okay to eat in small amounts, cheese mustn’t become a mainstay in your cat’s diet. Below is everything you need to know about the risks of cats eating cheese:
- Why Can’t Cats Regularly Eat Cheese? – Cats should not be given cheese on a regular basis, as they are typically lactose intolerant and may have trouble digesting foods such as cheese, which could even cause health issues. Another reason is the dense calorie load of cheese, which, if given regularly, can contribute significantly to feline obesity.
- Safety Tips – Lower-lactose cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Swiss cheese are all the safest options for cats but should still be given only in small amounts, if at all, to avoid digestive upset.
- Portion Control – Only ever give your cat cheese in small quantities as a treat or a means of getting your cat to take necessary medication.
- Toxic Alert – Always check your cheese’s ingredients label before giving it to your cat. Ingredients like garlic, onion, chives, and scallions are toxic to cats. Gourmet or flavoured cheeses must also be checked or avoided, as the seasoning or mix-ins could also contain hidden ingredients that may prove harmful.
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, ‘Can cats 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.
When cats do eat cheese, it is not the sweetness that they enjoy. Instead, it is merely a response to cheese being a dense source of fat and energy.
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. Cat milk is readily available in pet shops and supermarkets and is a safe, digestible option as an occasional treat.
Can Cats Eat Cheese?
Can cats eat 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.
One of the biggest risk of cheese for cats isn’t just the digestive upset, but the calorie load. Cheese is highly calorific, and just a small amount can take up a large share of your cat’s daily calorie allowance, prompting them to gain excess weight. This can be a huge contributor to feline obesity, and is not the harmless snack many think it is.
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.
Medical red flags: When to avoid cheese entirely
If your cat has a pre-existing health condition, especially heart or kidney disease, avoid giving them cheese, even in small amounts. The high sodium content is detrimental to cats with these conditions.
The salt content of cheese also has the potential to raise your cat’s blood pressure and cause fluid retention. Additionally, the fat content may trigger pancreatitis, which could require urgent medical attention.
These conditions can all be caused or worsened by cheese in your cat’s diet, so it is best to avoid it completely.
What types of cheese can cats eat
Can cats eat cream cheese? Is Cheddar okay 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 moderation. Generally, 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.
Note: Just because cats can eat cheddar cheese and some other low-lactose options like these does not mean they should be given them often or in large quantities.
Can cats eat cottage cheese? They can, but this should also be heavily restricted, and lower lactose options are always the better choice. Cream cheese is okay for cats, too, but again, only in very limited quantities.
Always remember to check the ingredients label of any product you purchase for your cat, as ingredients like garlic, onion, chives, and scallions are toxic to cats. Also be wary of gourmet or flavoured cheeses, as the seasoning or mix-ins could also contain hidden ingredients that are harmful to your feline friend.
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.
If you’re left wondering, ‘Can cats eat cheese?’, cheese-based treats are a great alternative without the added potential health consequences.
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. Cats can eat cottage cheese and many other cheeses in small amounts, but there are other cheeses that are less likely to cause your cat harm. Cats can eat Cheddar, Parmesan, and Swiss cheese because they are lower in lactose.
Any cheese with mould will be toxic to cats. Cheese extremely high in salt is also a no-no, such as American cheese.
Vegan cheese is not necessarily safe either, and ‘plant-based’ does not automatically mean ‘pet-safe’. This is because even if they don’t use dairy, many vegan cheeses use coconut oil, onion powder, and starches in their ingredients, all of which can be harder for cats to digest. In some cases they can even be more harmful than real dairy.
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 or a ‘pill pocket’. Cats can eat cream cheese or a small piece of cheddar if used to hide necessary medication they may not otherwise take.
Conclusion
Now you know the answer to ‘Can cats eat cheese?’ It's important to understand all cats will react differently to cheese. If you do feed it to yours, 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
Why do cats go crazy for cheese
It’s in a cat’s nature to seek out foods that are high in protein and fat, and cheese is a perfect example of this.
Can cats eat cottage cheese
Cats should only ever eat cheese in very small quantities, and it should be avoided entirely where possible due to the consequences it can have on their health.
Can cats eat cottage cheese, then? Yes, but only in small amounts and infrequently. Low-lactose cheeses are also far better for your cat.
Can can’t cats eat rice
Yes, cats can eat small amounts of plain, cooked rice. It won’t provide any essential nutrients, though.
