Can Cats Eat Cheese?

Cheese is rich in calcium, protein, and vitamins, bringing numerous health benefits to humans. But what’s healthy for us isn’t necessarily healthy for our pets.

Cats are carnivores, so their bodies aren’t used to digesting human food high in carbs and fats. However, a moderate amount of cheese isn’t particularly dangerous for our little friends.

Most importantly, the owner should be aware of food intolerance and allergy symptoms after giving their cat cheese.

Is Cheese Safe for Cats?

Many cats are obsessed with cheese, although it isn’t a part of the natural feline diet. But is cheese safe for cats? Cheese, in general, isn’t toxic for cats, but it isn’t perfectly safe either.

The primary concern with feeding a cat cheese is lactose. Like human babies, kittens produce the enzyme lactase necessary to break down lactose from the mother cat’s milk. However, with age, lactase production stops.

Many adult cats lose the ability to break down lactose entirely, which causes lactose intolerance. For this reason, adult cats may have gastroenteric upset after consuming milk, yogurt, sour cream, or cheese.

The lactose content in cheese is lower than in cow’s milk, but it still may cause digestion issues. However, some adult cats can consume dairy without any negative consequences.

Another pitfall of giving a cat cheese is the high fat content. In some cases, the high fat content may be beneficial – for example, for kittens and pregnant felines. However, cheese isn’t the best food for cats with a strict diet.

Cheese is an excellent treat, but frequent cheese consumption may lead to weight increase and related health conditions. Obesity in cats drastically reduces their life expectancy and is especially common with neutered felines.

Cheese also has a high salt content. Too much salt is dangerous even for humans, and for cats, it’s straight-up poisonous.

A cat shouldn’t consume over 41 milligrams of salt per day, and that’s on the extreme side. Cats with heart problems or those prescribed a low-sodium diet should never eat cheese.

Lastly, cats can have unique food allergies that manifest with various gastroenteric symptoms, which, on top of lactose intolerance, may be dangerous.

Some common cheese add-ons can be toxic to cats, including chives, oregano, and garlic. If you decide to give your cat cheese, check the label for toxic ingredients.

All moldy cheeses are also toxic to cats because they contain Penicillium bacteria that may cause lung, nasal cavity, and lymph node infections. Although many cats admire the smell of moldy cheeses, never give Stilton or Dor Bleu to your cat.

What About Lactose-Free Cheese?

Nowadays, stores offer a wide selection of non-dairy cheese varieties for vegans and people with lactose intolerance. Since lactose is the primary concern in feeding cats this snack, you may wonder – is lactose-free cheese safe for cats?

In moderate amounts, lactose-free cheese is safe for felines. At the very least, it has a lower chance of causing stomach upset in your furry friend. However, lactose-free cheese is equally rich in fat as regular cheese.

Furthermore, a cat may be allergic to any ingredient contained in the cheese. Regardless of the lactose content, be mindful of the serving size and watch out for allergy symptoms if you feed your cat cheese.

Is Cheese Good for Cats?

Cheese isn’t harmful to cats, but are there any health benefits of feeding cats cheese? You may know that cheese is a great source of calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, zinc, and protein.

Calcium is essential for teeth and bone health, zinc is vital for the proper function of the immune system, and vitamin B-12 is responsible for the nervous system’s health. Protein is the base of the feline diet.

However, in normal circumstances, a cat should be receiving enough vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from dry food. If a cat has a specific element deficiency, the owner should provide it with supplements.

Excessive cheese consumption may lead to calcium over-supplementation or hypercalcemia, which can cause anorexia and eclampsia in pregnant felines.

Furthermore, the high salt and fat content is potentially harmful to cats. Cheese isn’t toxic to cats, but it isn’t healthy either because it fails the risk/benefit assessment.

Can Kittens Eat Cheese?

Adult cats don’t produce the lactase enzyme necessary for breaking down lactose in dairy, but kittens do. So, is cheese safe for kittens?

Most kittens eat their mother cat’s milk until they are about ten weeks old, although some continue to eat milk even at five months old because the process is soothing.

However, lactase production only stops when the kittens are about six to eight months old. For this reason, kittens can safely consume cheese without any signs of lactose intolerance.

The high fat content isn’t an issue for kittens either because their bodies are still developing and need the nutrients. However, the owner should be mindful of the serving size regardless because salt and carbs aren’t healthy for kittens.

Furthermore, kitten stomach is delicate, and kittens are more likely to struggle with gastroenteric upset than adult felines.

Not Every Cheese Is the Same

The selection of cheese varieties is astonishing, and not every cheese type is equally safe for cats. American cheese is among the worst treats for cats because it contains 468 milligrams of salt per ounce.

Considering that a cat’s daily salt intake shouldn’t exceed 41 milligrams, even half an ounce of American cheese can cause food poisoning. American cheese is also high in fat, particularly saturated fat.

Camembert, provolone, and feta cheese contain slightly over 250 milligrams of sodium per ounce, which may seem insignificant compared to American cheese but is still too much for a cat.

In contrast, Swiss cheese and cream cheese contain only 53 and 89 milligrams of sodium per ounce, respectively, and are the safest cheese types for cats. However, cream cheese is relatively high in lactose.

Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, goat, and brie cheese are also acceptable for cats – they contain between 100 and 150 milligrams of sodium per ounce.

Aged cheeses typically have the lowest lactose content, while fresh cheeses have the highest. The calcium content is usually proportionate to the sodium content.

How Much Cheese to Give a Cat

Now that you’re familiar with the risks of feeding cats cheese, you may wonder how much cheese is safe for a cat. Veterinarians state that treats shouldn’t exceed 10% of the cat’s total daily calorie intake.

The rule of thumb is that cats should consume 22-30 calories per pound of weight, so an average ten-pound cat needs 220-300 calories daily. Treats should only account for 22-30 calories daily.

Since cheese is high in calories, 22-30 calories are a tiny piece – about a quarter ounce of American cheese or one-third of an ounce of mozzarella.

However, calories aren’t the only point to consider when calculating the appropriate cheese serving size for a cat.

Pay attention to your pet’s sodium intake. Cat food also contains sodium, so check the food label beforehand to avoid giving your pet too much salt.

Why Does My Cat Like Cheese?

A cat’s passion for cheese may seem odd, considering that felines are carnivores, but it’s easy to explain. Despite lactose intolerance, cats often crave dairy because it makes them feel safe and comfortable, reminding them of the mother cat’s milk.

Furthermore, cats love fat foods, perceiving them as a delicacy. Felines also have a significantly more developed sense of smell than humans, so many cats adore smelly foods, including cheese.

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance in Cats

Although lactose intolerance is common in adult cats, the severity of symptoms can vary drastically. Every owner should know the symptoms of lactose intolerance in cats to determine when their pet needs treatment.

Lactose intolerance primarily manifests with gastroenteric symptoms, including flatulence, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, bloating, and abdominal discomfort.

Gastroenteric symptoms may lead to dehydration, increased thirst, and dry gums. In severe cases, cats may also suffer from cardiovascular symptoms, including increased or irregular heart rate.

In mild cases, the symptoms last for no longer than 24 hours and don’t need veterinary treatment. However, if the symptoms are severe, a cat may need to be administered intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and prescription medications.

Unfortunately, lactose intolerance in cats can’t be cured, but lactose-free dairy products are a valid alternative to regular milk or cheese.

How to Feed Your Cat Cheese Safely

Although cheese isn’t an entirely risk-free treat for cats, you can give it to your pet with some precautions. Start by consulting your vet regarding any underlying conditions that could worsen from lactose, sodium, or fats.

Assuming your cat is perfectly healthy, inspect its dry food label for sodium and nutrient content. Then, calculate how much more of each element is acceptable for your pet.

If it’s the first time giving your cat cheese, start with a tiny piece and monitor your pet’s body reaction throughout the day. Ideally, choose lactose-free or low-sodium cheese.

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