Can cats eat cheese? Absolutely Yes. But can the cat’s digestive system tolerate this milk product? This is one of the questions that can cats eat cheese to ask yourselves before feeding your feline friend with any milk product.
Cats can eat cheese. The delicacy is made from milk and this is the reason why it is advisable to give the cat in small quantities. However, cheese is not dangerous for cats.
On the other hand, cheese is not healthy for cats since they are not tolerant to lactose and hence unable to digest cow milk.
In this guide, you are going to learn some basics about cheese and cats. You will get to know how much to feed the cat and if it is safe for your furry friend.
Why Do Cats Like Cheese So Much?
Cats are funny and curious creatures. They ever gaze at the food of their parents while eating. This makes many owners wonder if their furry friend loves cheese.
Cheese is not a natural food for cats and there are some types that can make them sick after eating. Despite this issue, your feline friend will still have the appetite to eat it.
The main dietary needs of cats are fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Feline will always choose their food based on these things.
Cheese is packed with a lot of fats and proteins hence the reason why many felines tend to fall in love with it.
Is your furry friend ever driven crazy with ice cream, cream cheese, and other milk products? And if yes, is it advisable to give them? Let’s find out more.
Can Cats Eat Cheese
Cats can eat cheese. But we only recommend this to be done in moderation and it should only be on the specific type of cheese.
Feeding your cat too much cheese can hurt since their digestive system lacks an enzyme that can digest the lactose present in the cheese.
We recommend cheese that has low sodium and lactose. This will make it easier for your cat to tolerate the small quantity of lactose.
Besides that cheese is a new cat treat and we recommend you consult your vet before feeding it to your feline friend.
You will get to know more about lactose-free cheese as far as the nutritional needs of your cat a concerned. Continue reading.
Is Cheese Safe For Cats?
Cheese is safe for cats but it should be free from lactose. Cheese that contains lactose tends to make your feline friend experience noxious side effects.
Cats are intolerant to lactose and consumption of such cheese will trigger diarrhea as well as bloat. The dietary upset may ruin the well-being of your feline friend.
However, the dietary upset varies from one cat to another. Consult your vet before trying it out on your furry friend.
Is Cheese Good For Cats?
Is cheese going to cause any issues for my cat? A common question from cautious cat parents.
Well, you will get to know if cheese is good for your cat until you get to feed him or her. Research more about cheese and choose wisely for your feline friend.
We recommend harder cheese over soft cheese since it has a low amount of lactose that might not ruin their health. Also, check on age variety before buying one for your furry friend.
Learn to moderate the amount of cheese and this will prevent your furry friend from not experiencing any intestinal issues.
If you notice your cat is experiencing diarrhea and gas issues then cut off any dairy product in the diet of the cat.
Is Cheese Bad For Cats?
Cheese is a dairy product and its digestion only happens due to the presence of lactase enzyme. Do cats have lactase? Let’s find out.
Intolerance to lactose is any indication of a lack of the enzyme or the enzyme is in small quantity. This means digestion of the lactose present in the cheese will be a problem.
Cats are somehow lactose intolerant since they do not have this enzyme responsible for digesting lactose. You will notice some noxious side effects after feeding them with cheese.
On the other hand, kittens tend to have this enzyme hence the reason why they are able to consume and digest milk during the nursing period.
Feeding kittens with cheese is not bad but we recommend giving kittens solid food during the weaning period only.
Can Cats Eat Cream Cheese?
Absolutely Yes. The fat content in the cream cheese is what makes your feline friend beg for more pieces of cheese.
However, we recommend you do this in moderation since too much fat is not good for the health of the cat.
Feeding your furry friend with too much fat will result in obesity and other related health problems like cat diabetes.
Can Cats Eat Cottage Cheese?
Knowing the nutritional needs of your feline is quite important. Yes, cats can feed on cottage cheese.
But you should be careful as much as your furry friend may love it. If they are intolerant to lactose then consuming too much might result in some side effects.
The most important thing to consider is consulting your vet before trying this new cat treat. You will get to know if it is fit for your feline friend.
Can Cats Eat String Cheese?
Many pet owners tend to wonder, “Can cats eat string cheese?” the sweet begging style of your furry friend may tempt you to throw a bit of cheese to her.
Well, a small piece of cheese here and there will not hurt your furry friend. But we recommend you start with cheese that is free from lactose and sodium.
You can also ask your veterinarian if it is a good idea to feed your feline friend with string cheese regularly.
Can Cats Eat Parmesan Cheese?
Yes. In fact, you can give your feline friend parmesan cheese regularly. You can choose whatever brand and feed her or him.
However, provide small bits only to your cat by sprinkling them over the food. A little salt won’t hurt your cat. But make sure your feline friend does not have any medical condition.
A small amount of salt may not trigger any side effects like high blood pressure. You can consult your vet for more information.
Can Cats Eat Mac and Cheese?
The stomach of the cat is not as sensitive as that of the rabbit. Therefore, if your cat ate a bit of mac and cheese there is no problem.
Unfortunately, the amount was too much then expected some digestive issues like diarrhea. During this time, ensure they can remain hydrated by taking adequate water.
If diarrhea takes too long then consult your vet for diagnosis and treatment. All-in-all, learn to keep cheese out of reach.
Does Cheese Give Cats Diarrhea?
Cats love cheese but they tend to be intolerant to lactose. Research shows that their digestive system lacks lactase which is responsible for digesting lactose in cheese.
Eating too much of this dairy product can trigger vomiting and diarrhea. We recommend giving your feline a small bit of cheese if they love the taste.
Otherwise, cheese is not healthy for your feline friend and this is the reason why it is not recommended in their diet.
What Can I Give My Cat Instead Of Cheese?
If you want to share human foods with your furry friend, consult your vet for a recommendation. Meanwhile, the following are some of the foods recommended for cats:
Final Thoughts
Cats can technically eat cheese without experiencing any immediate side effects. It is advisable never to feed cat cheese regularly or in large quantities.
According to veterinarians, it is advisable never to feed felines human foods since there are plenty of high-quality cat foods that can nourish them.
Sources and References
- Food sensitivity in cats with chronic idiopathic gastrointestinal problems. National Institute of Health.
- Balancing macronutrient intake in a mammalian carnivore: disentangling the influences of flavor and nutrition. Royal Society.
