📖About Can Cats Eat Cheese?
Despite the popular image of cats loving dairy, most adult cats are lactose intolerant. Kittens produce the enzyme lactase to digest their mother's milk, but production typically decreases significantly after weaning. This means that feeding cheese to an adult cat can result in uncomfortable digestive symptoms including bloating, gas, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Cheese is also high in fat and calories, which can contribute to obesity in cats, a growing health concern. The high sodium content in many cheeses is also problematic, as cats are susceptible to excess sodium intake which can affect their kidney and heart health. That said, a very tiny piece of plain, mild cheese very occasionally is unlikely to cause serious harm to most cats. Hard, aged cheeses like cheddar contain less lactose than soft cheeses and may be slightly better tolerated. Cottage cheese in very small amounts is another option that tends to be lower in lactose and fat. However, there is no nutritional reason to feed cheese to cats, as they obtain all necessary nutrients from a balanced meat-based diet. Never feed cats cheese containing garlic, onion, chives, or herbs, which are toxic to felines. Avoid cheese with added seasonings, pepper, or spices. If you use cheese as a vehicle to administer medication, ensure it is a tiny amount of plain cheese only.
📋Quick Facts
Safety Rating
⚠️CautionFood Category
Dairy
Pet Type
Cats
Benefits
- Can be used as a tiny, occasional treat or medication vehicle
- Contains some protein and calcium
- Aged cheeses are lower in lactose and may be better tolerated
Risks
- Most adult cats are lactose intolerant causing digestive upset
- High fat content contributes to obesity
- High sodium can affect kidney and heart health
- Provides no essential nutrients not already in balanced cat food
Serving Guide
Limit to a fingernail-sized piece of plain, mild cheese very rarely, no more than once a week. Aged, hard cheeses are better than soft. If using to administer medication, use the smallest amount possible.
Warnings
- Most adult cats are lactose intolerant and will experience digestive upset
- Never feed cheese with garlic, onion, chives, or other seasonings to cats
- Do not feed cheese regularly as it contributes to obesity and provides no essential feline nutrition
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Cats should eat cheese with caution and only in tiny amounts. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant, and cheese offers little nutritional value to obligate carnivores.
Cheese is rated as Caution for Cats. Cats should eat cheese with caution and only in tiny amounts. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant, and cheese offers little nutritional value to obligate carnivores.
Limit to a fingernail-sized piece of plain, mild cheese very rarely, no more than once a week. Aged, hard cheeses are better than soft. If using to administer medication, use the smallest amount possible.
Was this helpful?