Picture this: you’re enjoying a cheese and cracker snack when you notice those big, pleading eyes staring up at you. Your cat knows exactly what you have, and they want a piece of the action. But before you toss them a chunk of cheddar, you might wonder: can cats actually eat cheese?
The short answer is yes, cats can technically eat cheese, but it’s not as simple as you might think. While cheese isn’t toxic to cats, it’s far from an ideal treat for most felines. Just like how grapes can be problematic for some pets, cheese comes with its own set of concerns that every responsible cat owner should understand.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about cats and cheese, from the science behind lactose intolerance to which types are safer than others.
Is Cheese Bad for Cats?
Cheese isn’t inherently toxic to cats, which might make it seem like a harmless treat. However, there are several important reasons why cheese should be given with extreme caution, if at all.
The biggest concern is lactose intolerance. Most adult cats lack sufficient amounts of lactase, the enzyme needed to properly digest lactose (the sugar found in dairy products). According to veterinary experts, the majority of cats experience some degree of lactose intolerance after they’re weaned from their mother’s milk.
When a lactose-intolerant cat consumes cheese, they may experience uncomfortable digestive symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and gas. These reactions can occur even from small amounts of cheese.
Beyond lactose issues, cheese presents other health concerns for cats. It’s extremely calorie-dense, with a one-ounce cube of cheddar containing roughly the same caloric impact for a cat as two and a half cheeseburgers would for a human. This makes it incredibly easy to overfeed.
Pro Tip: If you’re exploring what human foods are safe for your cat, always remember that cats are obligate carnivores. Their bodies are designed to thrive on meat-based diets, not dairy products.
Cheese is also high in fat and salt, neither of which benefits your cat’s health. Regular cheese consumption can contribute to obesity, which brings its own host of health problems including diabetes, joint issues, and heart disease.
Can Kittens Eat Cheese?
You might assume that since kittens drink their mother’s milk, they can handle cheese better than adult cats. Unfortunately, this isn’t quite true.
While kittens do produce more lactase enzyme during their nursing period, this ability diminishes rapidly once they begin eating solid food. By the time a kitten is old enough to consume cheese, their lactase production has already decreased significantly.
This means that kittens face the same lactose intolerance issues as adult cats. Introducing cheese to a kitten’s diet can cause digestive upset and create unhealthy eating habits that may persist into adulthood.
Kittens require specially formulated kitten food that provides all the nutrients they need for proper growth and development. Cheese offers no nutritional advantages and can actually interfere with their balanced diet.
Why Do Cats Like Cheese?
If cheese is so problematic for cats, why do they seem so attracted to it? The answer lies in their evolutionary biology.
Cats are hardwired to seek out foods high in protein and fat. As obligate carnivores, their taste receptors are specifically tuned to detect the fatty, savory flavors found in meat. Cheese happens to tick both these boxes with its rich protein and high-fat content.
Interestingly, cats lack the taste receptors for sweetness that humans have. When your cat shows interest in ice cream or other sweet dairy products, they’re attracted to the fat content, not the sugar.
This instinctive attraction to high-fat foods served cats well in the wild, where they needed calorie-dense meals. However, in our homes where food is abundant, this instinct can lead them to beg for foods that aren’t actually good for them.
Pro Tip: Just because your cat wants cheese doesn’t mean they need it. Similar to how cats might be curious about popcorn or other human snacks, their interest doesn’t equal nutritional value.
What Cheeses Can Cats Eat?
If you’ve determined that your cat isn’t lactose intolerant and your veterinarian has approved occasional cheese treats, some varieties are better choices than others.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is one of the worst options for cats. As a soft cheese, it contains higher levels of lactose compared to aged, hard cheeses. The soft texture also means it’s more likely to cause digestive upset.
The high-fat content in cream cheese can lead to gastrointestinal distress, even in cats that tolerate other dairy products reasonably well. It’s best to keep cream cheese strictly off-limits.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese presents a mixed picture. While some sources suggest it’s lower in lactose than other soft cheeses, it still contains enough to cause problems for lactose-intolerant cats.
If you do offer cottage cheese, choose low-fat varieties and provide only tiny amounts. Monitor your cat closely for any signs of digestive upset. However, given the risks, many veterinarians recommend avoiding it entirely.
String Cheese
Most string cheese is made from mozzarella, sometimes blended with provolone. Mozzarella is a soft cheese that’s high in lactose and likely to upset your cat’s stomach.
While the provolone component might be slightly better tolerated, the mozzarella content makes string cheese a poor choice overall. If your cat manages to snag a piece, they’ll likely be fine, but it shouldn’t be offered intentionally.
Cheesecake
Cheesecake is definitely not safe for cats. Beyond the soft cheese base (usually cream cheese or ricotta), cheesecake contains sugar, vanilla, and potentially toxic ingredients like chocolate or xylitol.
The combination of high sugar, fat, and potentially dangerous additives makes cheesecake something you should never share with your feline friend.
Cheez-Its
Cheese crackers like Cheez-Its might seem harmless, but they’re loaded with salt, carbohydrates, and artificial ingredients that offer zero nutritional value to cats.
These snacks are essentially empty calories that can contribute to weight gain and provide none of the nutrients cats need. Save the Cheez-Its for yourself and offer your cat a meat-based treat instead.
Better alternatives: If you’re looking for safe treat options, consider the same approach you’d take with foods like yogurt, checking with your vet first about appropriate alternatives.
My Cat Ate Cheese. What Should I Do?
Don’t panic if your cat manages to steal a piece of cheese. For most healthy cats, a small amount won’t cause serious problems beyond potential digestive upset.
Monitor your cat closely for the next 24-48 hours. Watch for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or lethargy. Most cats will either show no reaction or experience mild, temporary digestive issues.
If your cat shows severe symptoms, stops eating, or seems particularly unwell, contact your veterinarian. This is especially important if your cat has underlying health conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or pancreatitis.
For cats with known health issues, it’s better to be proactive. Call your vet before symptoms develop to discuss whether monitoring at home is appropriate or if an examination is needed.
In the future, keep cheese stored securely where curious paws can’t reach it. Prevention is always easier than treatment.
How to Safely Feed Your Cat Cheese
If your cat isn’t lactose intolerant and your vet has approved occasional cheese treats, follow these guidelines for safe feeding.
Choose hard, aged cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, parmesan, or gouda. These contain less lactose than soft cheeses and are generally better tolerated. Avoid cheeses with added ingredients like herbs, garlic, or onion, which can be toxic to cats.
Portion control is critical. Cut a piece no larger than a dice and break it into even smaller bits. This prevents gulping and makes the treat last longer.
Frequency matters just as much as portion size. Limit cheese to once or twice per week at most. It should represent less than 10% of your cat’s daily caloric intake.
Always supervise when giving cheese to watch for any adverse reactions. If you notice digestive upset, even mild, discontinue cheese treats entirely.
Pro Tip: Keep a food diary to track what treats you give your cat and any reactions they experience. This information can be valuable for your veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
While the image of cats enjoying dairy is deeply ingrained in popular culture, the reality is that most cats are better off without cheese in their diet. Lactose intolerance affects the majority of adult cats, making cheese a risky treat that’s more likely to cause discomfort than pleasure.
If you want to spoil your feline friend, stick with treats specifically formulated for cats or small pieces of cooked, unseasoned chicken or fish. These options provide nutritional value without the digestive risks associated with dairy.
Remember, your cat’s health depends on you making informed decisions about their diet. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian before introducing any new foods, including cheese. A few moments of begging for cheese isn’t worth the potential stomach upset and health risks.
Your cat may give you those irresistible pleading eyes, but showing love through appropriate treats and proper nutrition is the best way to keep your furry friend healthy and happy for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cats eat mac and cheese?
No, mac and cheese is not safe for cats. It combines soft cheese (usually cheddar or American cheese sauce) with pasta, butter, and often salt and seasonings. The high lactose content, carbohydrates, fat, and sodium make it particularly unhealthy for felines. The pasta provides no nutritional value for obligate carnivores, and the cheese sauce can cause severe digestive upset.
Is goat cheese safer for cats than cow’s milk cheese?
Goat cheese contains slightly less lactose than cow’s milk cheese, but it’s still not recommended for cats. While some lactose-intolerant humans find goat cheese easier to digest, cats still lack the enzymes needed to properly process it. Additionally, goat cheese tends to be high in fat, which can lead to digestive issues and weight gain in cats.
How much cheese is too much for a cat?
Even for cats that tolerate cheese, portion size should never exceed a dice-sized cube (roughly one cubic centimeter) given no more than once or twice per week. For context, this tiny amount can represent a significant portion of a cat’s daily calorie needs. Anything more than this increases the risk of obesity and digestive problems.
Can lactose-free cheese be given to cats?
Lactose-free cheese might seem like a solution, but it’s still not recommended. While it eliminates the lactose intolerance issue, cheese remains high in fat and sodium, and lactose-free varieties may contain additives or ingredients that aren’t safe for cats. It’s better to avoid cheese altogether and choose cat-specific treats.
What are the signs my cat is lactose intolerant?
Signs of lactose intolerance in cats typically appear within 8-12 hours of consuming dairy and include vomiting, diarrhea, gas, abdominal bloating, stomach gurgling, and decreased appetite. Some cats may also show signs of discomfort like restlessness or lethargy. If you notice these symptoms after your cat eats cheese, avoid all dairy products in the future.
Are cheese-flavored cat treats safe?
Cheese-flavored cat treats specifically formulated for felines are generally safe when given in moderation. These treats are designed with a cat’s nutritional needs in mind and typically contain minimal actual cheese or dairy. However, if your cat has severe lactose intolerance, even these treats might cause mild digestive upset. Always read ingredient labels and follow feeding guidelines on the package.
