Patrick Oconnell
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they get all their nutrients from meat. Treats should make up no more than 5% of their daily diet. While cheese is not toxic to cats, it is high in calories, salt, and fat, and can cause stomach upsets if ingested. Many cats are also lactose intolerant or have milk allergies, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. As such, cheese should be fed to cats in moderation, if at all.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nutritional value | High in fat, salt, calories, and protein |
| Health risks | Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, lethargy, obesity |
| Safe amount | Small amount once in a while |
| Safe types | Hard cheese like cheddar or Swiss, goat cheese, feta |
| Unsafe types | Cream cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella, cheesecake, cheese crackers |
| Lactose intolerance | Common in adult cats |
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What You'll Learn
- Cats are often lactose intolerant and can be allergic to dairy products, leading to gastrointestinal issues
- Cheese is high in fat, salt, and calories, which can cause digestive problems and other health issues
- Some cheeses are safer for cats than others, such as hard cheeses like cheddar or Swiss
- Cheese should only be given to cats in small amounts as an occasional treat, not as a meal replacement
- Cats are carnivores and get all their nutrients from meat, so cheese is not a necessary part of their diet
Cats are often lactose intolerant and can be allergic to dairy products, leading to gastrointestinal issues
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they get all their nutrients from meat. As such, dairy products like cheese are not a good snack for cats. While cheese is not toxic to cats, many cats are lactose intolerant, and even a small amount of cheese could wreak havoc on their digestive system. This can result in vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, and lethargy.
Lactose intolerance in cats can develop as they mature. Kittens produce lactase, an enzyme that helps them digest the lactose in their mother's milk, but lactase production slows once the kitten is weaned. As such, adult cats are often lactose intolerant and cannot properly digest dairy products like cheese.
In addition to lactose intolerance, some cats may also be allergic to dairy products. This can lead to similar gastrointestinal issues, such as vomiting and diarrhea, as well as reduced appetite. If you suspect your cat has a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance, it is best to avoid feeding them any dairy products, including cheese.
Even if your cat does not have a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance, cheese should still be fed in moderation due to its high-fat and salt content. Cheese is not a necessary part of a cat's diet, and excessive consumption can lead to obesity and other health issues. It is recommended that treats, including cheese, should comprise no more than 5% of a cat's daily diet.
If you choose to feed your cat cheese, it is important to offer only small amounts as an occasional treat. Opt for hard, plain cheeses with low lactose content, such as cheddar or Swiss cheese, and avoid soft cheeses like cream cheese, cottage cheese, or mozzarella, which are higher in lactose. Always monitor your cat after feeding them cheese to ensure they do not develop any gastrointestinal issues or other negative reactions.
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Cheese is high in fat, salt, and calories, which can cause digestive problems and other health issues
Cheese is not the healthiest option for cats, despite their attraction to it. It is high in fat, salt, and calories, which can cause digestive problems and other health issues. Cats are carnivores and can get all their nutrients from meat. A healthy cat diet should consist of meat-based cat food and water, with treats making up no more than 5% of their daily diet.
Cheese is a high-calorie food, and a 1-ounce cube of cheddar cheese for a cat is equivalent to a human eating two and a half cheeseburgers. This means that cheese can contribute to obesity in cats if given in large quantities or over a prolonged period. Obesity can lead to other health issues, such as joint problems and diabetes.
The high-fat content in cheese can cause stomach upsets in cats, including vomiting and diarrhoea. Some cats may also experience abdominal pain, gas, and lethargy after consuming cheese. These symptoms are indicative of lactose intolerance, which is common in adult cats due to their reduced ability to produce the lactase enzyme needed to digest lactose.
In addition to the high-fat content, cheese also contains a significant amount of salt, which can be problematic for cats. Cats require far less salt in their diet than humans, and excessive salt intake can lead to health issues, especially for cats with heart conditions.
While cheese is not toxic to cats, it is not the best treat option due to its high-calorie, high-fat, and high-salt content. It should be given only occasionally and in small quantities, such as a dice-sized piece, and only if the cat is not lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy.
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Some cheeses are safer for cats than others, such as hard cheeses like cheddar or Swiss
Cats are carnivores and get all their nutrients from meat. A healthy cat diet should consist of meat-based cat food and water, with treats making up no more than 5% of their daily diet. Cheese is not toxic to cats, but it is also not a good snack for them. It is high in fat and calories, and can cause stomach upsets, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and gas. Cats are also often lactose intolerant, and dairy products can cause them to become overweight.
Some cheeses are safer for cats than others. If you are going to give your cat cheese, opt for hard cheeses like cheddar or Swiss, which have lower amounts of lactose. However, even these cheeses can still lead to digestive issues. It is recommended that cheese is only given to cats in small amounts, about the size of a dice, and only once or twice per week.
It is important to note that cheese should not be a regular part of a cat's diet. Cats that are lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy should not be fed cheese at all. If you are unsure about whether or not to give your cat cheese, consult your veterinarian.
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Cheese should only be given to cats in small amounts as an occasional treat, not as a meal replacement
Cats are carnivores and get all their nutrients from meat. Therefore, cheese should only be given to cats in small amounts as an occasional treat, not as a meal replacement.
Cheese is not toxic to cats, but it is also not the healthiest option for them. Cheese is high in fat and can cause cats to suffer from stomach upsets if they ingest it. It is also very high in calories, and giving a 1-ounce cube of cheddar cheese to a 10-pound cat is equivalent to a person eating two and a half cheeseburgers. If cats eat cheese regularly, they are likely to become overweight.
Additionally, many cats are lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy, and even a small amount of cheese could wreak havoc on their digestive system. This can result in vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or gas. As such, it is recommended to give cats a small cube of hard cheese like cheddar or Swiss, cut into smaller pieces, no more than once or twice a week.
If you are unsure about giving your cat cheese, it is best to consult your veterinarian for advice. They will be able to provide guidance based on your cat's individual needs and recommend safer alternatives.
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Cats are carnivores and get all their nutrients from meat, so cheese is not a necessary part of their diet
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they get all their nutrients from meat. Therefore, cheese is not a necessary part of their diet. In fact, cheese can be harmful to cats in several ways. Firstly, many cats are lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy, and even a small amount of cheese could wreak havoc on their digestive system, causing gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or gas. Secondly, cheese is very high in calories, with a 1-ounce cube of cheddar cheese for a cat being equivalent to a human eating two and a half cheeseburgers. This can lead to obesity if consumed regularly or in large quantities. Thirdly, cheese is often high in salt, which can be problematic for cats, especially if they have a heart condition or need to lower their salt intake. Finally, cheese may contain additional ingredients such as onion or garlic, which can be toxic to cats.
While some cats may enjoy the taste of cheese and can tolerate small amounts as an occasional treat, it is not a necessary or particularly healthy part of their diet. It is important to monitor your cat's reaction to cheese and consult your veterinarian if any signs of digestive distress are observed. Overall, while cheese may be tempting for cats, it is not a necessary or recommended part of their diet due to their ability to obtain all necessary nutrients from meat sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese is not good for cats as it is high in fat and salt, and many cats are lactose intolerant. It can cause stomach upsets, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cheese should only be given to cats in small amounts as an occasional treat.
If you want to give your cat cheese, opt for hard cheeses like cheddar or Swiss, which have lower amounts of lactose. Avoid soft cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, and cream cheese, as these are much higher in lactose and can cause gastrointestinal distress.
Cheese should be given to cats in very small amounts, about the size of a dice, and only occasionally—once or twice a week at most. It should not be a substitute for their regular cat food.
Fish or cooked chicken are good alternatives to cheese as treats for cats. There are also cat treats specifically made for cats that have a little bit of cheese in them or are cheese-flavored. Always check with your veterinarian for treat recommendations.
