Cats are creatures that are very easily ruled by their stomachs. How many times has your cat actually been satisfied with their daily meal and not felt the need to ask you for additional treats?
We bet it’s not very many times at all! Cats love to supplement their diet with different meats and other treats like cheese. However, you may be wondering whether cats can eat cheese?
The answer is that even though your kitty asks for a piece of your blue cheese, they shouldn’t really be allowed to eat this treat. This is because cheese isn’t a natural food in their everyday diet.
In fact, cats are actually incredibly lactose intolerant. So giving your cat a piece of soft cheese to nibble on will actually irritate their digestive systems.
While it’s true that all types of cheese have a high protein content for your cat, this won’t do them any favors in the long run.
The dairy from the cheese will cause them to have an upset tummy if they eat too much of it at once. So even though your cat may ask you for a piece of cheese, it’s best to give them a safer alternative.
Will Cheese Hurt Cats?
Giving your cat a piece of cheese as an occasional treat is unlikely to hurt them in the long run. However, it’s important to remember that cats and cheese don’t really mix well.
Once a cat has been weaned from their mother’s milk, they develop an intolerance for dairy. So this means whenever they eat some cheese, it will upset their digestive systems.
This will be the case for all dairy products, including a bowl of milk, yogurt, or anything else that includes the lactase enzyme.
So giving cheese as a treat for cats won’t technically hurt them, it can make them ill if you give them too much cheese at once. Giving them the odd bit of cheese is unlikely to do loads of harm.
You can opt for giving your cat non-dairy cheeses, however, you will also have to be mindful of the fat content in this treat.
Your cat shouldn’t be given too many foods that are high in fat, as they don’t need this in their diet. If in doubt, it will be best to opt for a natural food that is typical of a cat’s diet.
Your cat doesn’t need to be fed cheese every day. It’s perfectly fine to give them a small amount of cheese occasionally.
You should avoid feeding them large amounts of cheese at one time, as this could lead to them getting sick.
If you’re worried about your cat eating cheese, then you should consider giving them something more nutritious instead.
For example, you could try giving them a slice of chicken breast, or a healthy dog biscuit. These options will help keep your cat happy and healthy, without having to worry about them being overfed.
What Cheese Is Safe For Cats?
Sometimes no matter how much you try to avoid giving your pet human foods such as cheese, their cravings and pitiful meows can get the better of you.
So you may be wondering which cheeses are actually safe to give to your cat?
There are lots of cheeses to choose from, of course. There’s blue cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, goat cheese, moldy cheeses, American cheese… The types of cheese on the dairy market are endless.
But it’s important to remember that not all of these will be suitable for adult cats to eat. Eating too many of the wrong kinds of cheese can cause digestive issues for your kitty.
So which types of cheese can your cat eat as a tasty treat?
If you really must give your cats a bite of cheese, you should opt for the harder varieties. Think Parmesan, cheddar, Gouda – these have a lower lactose content, so will be much easier for your pet to digest.
Some soft cheeses such as cottage cheese and cream cheese are also fairly safe for your cat to eat as a cheesy treat.
The amounts of lactose in your chosen cheese will be worth bearing in mind so that you can ensure it will be safe to consume.
Remember to avoid any moldy varieties, as these can severely upset your cat’s digestive system and could even cause them serious health issues.
You will also need to bear in mind whether your cat has any dairy allergies, as this will be more serious than a mere intolerance. Dairy allergies are important to take seriously to avoid harming your cat.
Why Do Cats Love Cheese?
So if cheese isn’t all that great for your pet, why do cats love cheese? Well, there are several reasons why your feline friend loves cheese. They’re just like us!
Cats are naturally curious creatures who enjoy exploring new things. Cheese is one of those things. Once your cat has had a bite of cheese, it can be very difficult to convince them that it’s actually bad for them.
Cats like cheese because it tastes good. It’s rich and creamy and delicious. That’s why we humans love cheese too! We know what it feels like when our taste buds get excited by something tasty.
And cats are no different. When they smell or see cheese, they’ll want to investigate further. It’s an instinctive reaction that comes from being born with a keen sense of smell.
Cheese is also a source of protein. Cats need protein to help build strong muscles and bones. A bit of cheese goes a long way in helping your cat stay healthy.
In Summary
And there you have it! You now know all there is to know about cats and cheese. Even though your cat may love cheese, it’s not actually all that safe for them to eat.
When given as an occasional treat, cheese shouldn’t cause too much harm for your cat. However, cats are naturally lactose intolerant, so it will be tricky for your pet to digest the dairy treat.
If in doubt, you should always consult with your vet about your cat’s diet. If you don’t want to risk giving your cat cheese, you can opt for cat treats or alternative treats for your pet so that they can stay happy and healthy.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
