Yes, but only in strong moderation. A quick taste won’t hurt your cat, but cheese should not be a continuous part of your cat’s diet because of the high-fat content.
Cats seem to have an uncanny sense of knowing when cheese is around and often crave that high protein and fat within the cheesy treat. Many think due to kittens drinking milk; dairy is safe for cats.
Before feeding this treat to your cat, here are a few things to keep in mind. Cats are carnivores and need a high meat diet. Lactose products should leave the cat’s diet once they can eat solid foods.
While cheese is high in protein, it is the proteins in meat the cat’s system needs to remain healthy. Avoiding cheese and other dairy product treats is important for your cat’s overall health.
Is Cheese Bad for Cats?
Why is cheese bad for cats? While a kitten’s digestive system can break down the lactose in dairy products, as the kitten grows, it causes changes in the digestive system. Cats lack enough enzymes to digest cheese and dairy products properly.
Once able to eat solid foods, many cats become intolerant of lactose or dairy products. Some even develop a full allergy. Feeding your cat cheese can lead to digestive problems, such as diarrhea, constipation, and/or vomiting.
Long-term treats of cheese can also cause obesity in the cat, which will lead to other health problems for the pet. Keeping to your cats naturally needed meat diet will ensure a healthier and long life with your cat.
Can Cats eat cheese? Is a cheese alternative better?
Due to the other ingredients used in a non-dairy cheese, one does not know if the cat will be allergic to any of the ingredients. It is best to avoid such treats for the cat and use more appropriate treats that its digestive system can handle.
What to do if your cat eats cheese. Luckily cheese is not on the harmful food list for cats. While it will cause intestinal issues, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting can be treated easily to help ease the cat’s discomfort.
Do you Know?
We’ve done our research for lots of foods and have vetted them if they are safe for your pets. Why not check out this article: Can Cats Eat Catnip?
If your cat does ingest cheese and develops digestive issues such as diarrhea and vomiting, here is what you can do to help your cat. Most times, fasting for 24 hours will help let the digestive system clear the lactose from it. Make sure your cat drinks plenty of water as not to dehydrate.
Diet can also be helpful. A bland and plain diet of chicken and rice can help to ease the issues with the cat’s digestive system. It is often recommended for cats with sensitive systems and known allergies.
Increasing your cat’s water intake and switching from a hard to softer or canned food can often assist in relieving the constipation problems for your little furry one.
Can cats eat cheese? In conclusion, the simple answer is yes, but with moderation. With the decrease in enzymes in the cat’s digestive system, breaking down cheese can be problematic for your furry little friend.
It is better to avoid giving cheese treats and other dairy products and stick to treats more agreeable and beneficial for your cat. Ensuring your cat has a long and healthy life is the overall goal of paying close attention to your cat’s diet and sticking to the treats and foods beneficial to your pet.
