Can Cats Eat Cheese?

Can Cats Eat Cheese?

Cheese, in all its varieties and forms, is one of the most appreciated foods of international cuisine. There are hundreds of different types of cheeses, each with its own aroma, texture, flavor and nutritional composition. But simple, we can define cheese, without exhausting through it’s history and preparation process, as a very tasty source of proteins and sophisticated fats.

In addition to pleasing our palates, cheese offers many benefits to human health, provided it is consumed in moderate doses. If you share your house with a feline companion, you may have noticed that cats are very attracted to cheese. Feeding a cat needs to be done with awareness. You cannot just feed your cat everything it shows interest in , as it could be dangerous for your cat. That’s why, here at AnimalWised, we will be discussing and uncovering the truth behind whether cats can eat cheese. In addition, we will be including precautions that should be taken; should you choose to add cheese to your cat’s diet.

Do cats eat cheese?

In addition to wondering if cats can eat cheese, one may ask, is cheese good for cats? Well, cheese is a protein source of animal origin, as it is produced from the milk of different mammals. Although the most consumed cheeses worldwide come from cow's milk, there are also other more exquisite cheeses. Cheese can also be made with sheep's milk, goat's milk and buffalo milk. Being a dairy product, cheese also contains a considerable amount of fat (although there are many cheeses which have been reduced in calories and total fat). Cheese also contains minerals, such as; calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.

Since cats are strictly carnivorous animals, proteins must be the pillar of their diet. Consequently, we recommend that protein be the macronutrient, most abundant in a cat’s nutrition. This protein in a cat’s diet should be accompanied by; beneficial fats, vitamins and minerals. Although cats can consume very moderate carbohydrate rations, one must bear in mind that an excess of this nutrient can cause digestive disorders. This is addition to promoting the development of obesity in cats.

Considering that cheese is high in protein containing some beneficial fats, it may be logical to conclude that cats can eat cheese. But the answer to this question is not that simple. Cheese is also a direct derivative of milk, and most adult cats are lactose intolerant. We’ll explain...

While baby cats are lactating, breast milk is the only ideal food which meets their nutritional needs at this time. Therefore, when young, their bodies produces a large amount of an enzyme called lactase, which is responsible for digesting the lactose present in breast milk. But a cat completes its weaning period and are prepared to experiment with new foods; its body progressively decreases the production of this enzyme. This is, in fact, the most significant food transition that cats experience in their lives. This is because it means that their body prepares itself to survive on its own, without the need of another t receive food.

Most adult cats are lactose intolerant, since their organism does not produce enough lactase necessary to digest dairy. Therefore, when consuming milk or milk products, felines can develop digestive problems, such as; gas, vomiting or diarrhea. We highly recommend reading our article; Can Cats Drink Milk, to find out more.

For this reason, although cheese is not forbidden for cats, its consumption should be moderated. This moderation should be done to prevent digestive problems in cats. In addition, we must emphasize that no matter how much cheese offers a good contribution of proteins and fats for cats it should NEVER be used as a substitute for meat in a cat’s diet. Take a look at; Forbidden Foods For Cats.

Can cats eat dairy?

Although cow's cheese is cheaper and easier to find, we suggest giving your cat goat and sheep milk based-cheeses. This is because these types of cheeses are easier for our cats to digest. Therefore, we suggest giving give preference to these types of cheeses to prevent digestive problems associated with lactose intolerance in cats.

You can offer your cay small pieces of hard cheese as a reward when training your cat. Many people use cheese as a prize for cats to reinforce good cat behavior and encourage their cat to learn more. However, it is important not to only use cheese as a reward for positive reinforcement for cats. By only offering your cat cheese, it can result in rapid gain weight; which in the end could result as obesity in cats. We recommend alternating between snacks, caresses, toys, compliments and fun time. If you need some more ideas on how to make your cat happy, take a look at; How To Make A Cat Happy And Love You.

On the other hand, many people wonder; can cats eat cottage cheese or can cats eat cream cheese? Soft cheeses, such a ricotta and cottage cheese, when added to homemade cat recipes, can be added to a cat’s diet. However, remember, this is only to complement their diet and should be done in moderation.

Can cats eat cheese? Recommended dosage.

As we have seen, cats can eat cheese always in very small quantities, such as an eventual snack or a complement in homemade recipes. However, there is not a predetermined dose for all cats, but the safe and beneficial amount of cheese should be adequate according to the size, weight, age and health status of each kitten.

Therefore, it is essential that you consult a veterinarian to choose the most appropriate feeding according to the nutritional needs of your cat. The professional can guide you regarding the introduction of cheese in your cat's diet, advising you on the most adequate and safe doses to obtain a positive impact on your health.

If you want to read similar articles to Can Cats Eat Cheese?, we recommend you visit our Homemade diets category.