Although cheese isn’t toxic for cats, many cats are actually lactose intolerant, meaning they cannot properly digest the type of sugar found in dairy products, and so eating milk and cheese can cause digestive issues.
Cats and Cheese: Is It OK?
Experts say that cats can eat cheese, but only in small amounts. If you do give your cat cheese at all, give it to them in tiny doses, about the size of a dice, once in a while. For instance, you may decide to only give your cat cheese when it’s necessary to conceal a medication for them.
However, even though many cats can handle small amounts of cheese, if your cat has a milk allergy or is lactose intolerant, even a small amount of cheese could seriously harm their digestive system.
What Cheeses Can Cats Eat?
Certain cheeses are better for cats than others if you would like to give your cat a small amount and you are certain that she is not lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy. Look for firm cheeses that are plain with no additives. Some to consider include:
- Cheddar
- Swiss
- Parmesan
- Provolone
- Gouda
- Goat cheese, albeit with a lower vitamin D content and a higher fat content than some other cheeses.
Softer cheeses should be avoided since they frequently contain significantly more lactose. Stay away from:
- Cottage cheese
- Cream cheese
- Mozzarella
- Brie
- Blue cheese
- Camembert
- American cheese, a processed food item with a high carbohydrate content
One of the cheeses that should never be eaten is cream cheese. Cream cheese is softer than many other types and contains more lactose, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
Cottage cheese, like cream cheese, has a relatively high lactose content and can upset a cat’s stomach. Cats should avoid cottage cheese as much as possible, even though it may be tempting to share the carton once it is empty.
Most string cheeses are composed of the soft cheese mozzarella, which is occasionally combined with the firmer provolone. Mozzarella contains a lot of lactose and can be both raw (like in string cheese) and cooked (like in pizza), which can upset a cat’s sensitive stomach. Provolone is better tolerated by many cats. If your cat must eat, only give them tiny portions. Generally speaking, though, it’s best to decline to share your string cheese.
Cheesecake is not safe to share with cats. It contains soft cheese, usually ricotta or cream cheese, along with other ingredients that could poison your cat or make them sick.
Other cheese crackers, such as Cheez-Its, are not recommended. There are many extra ingredients in these baked treats that might not be good for cats’ health. Additionally, this treat is essentially “empty calories” for your cat because it is high in calories, fats, and carbohydrates and should be avoided.
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