Your breakfast is incomplete without cheese, but what about cats. Can cats eat cream cheese? Is it toxic for them?
Many cats love to have dairy food like milk though it can cause an upset stomach. Cats can have a little, but it isn’t exactly the best option for your pet when it comes to cream cheese.
Cream cheese has a much higher fat concentration than the rest of the dairy products. Though some cats might crave this fatty food, their stomach won’t be able to digest it properly.
This article will discuss the health effects of cream cheese on cats. So keep on reading till the end.
Is cream cheese toxic for cats?
Some cats are particularly drawn to cream cheese, but can cats eat cream cheese? Cream cheese is not toxic for cats, but the stomach doesn’t have the necessary enzymes to break down this product. Thus a small piece won’t hurt your pet, but cream cheese in large quantities can be problematic.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they can draw their essential nutrients from animal-based proteins.
Thus their digestive system is only used to process meaty food. The enzymes needed to break down other nutrients have been long gone from the cat’s digestive system.
Can cats digest cream cheese?
The answer to the question is, can cats eat cream cheese? If yes, they can, but not more than a little piece.
Cheese is an animal by-product having high-fat content that can lead to obesity in cats. Any animal eating dairy products like cream cheese needs the enzyme lactase for digestion.
Humans and dogs have lactase, but cats lack this enzyme in their digestive system making it difficult to process dairy products.
In contrast, kittens produce a small amount of lactase when they are born to digest their mother’s milk. As they grow, lactase production decreases and eventually becomes non-existent.
Are cats allergic to cream cheese?
As a cat owner, you must have these questions in mind. Can cats eat cream cheese? Are they allergic to cream cheese? Yes, cats can be allergic to cream cheese because felines aren’t accustomed to digesting dairy products.
If you spot the following symptoms in your cat after it has swallowed a piece of cream cheese, your cat is allergic to cream cheese.
Food for Cats: Did You Know?
Felines are not actually picky eaters as one might think. Therefore, we have looked at several different foods and tell you if it’s safe for your cat to eat or not. Like this one: Can Cats Eat Crackers?
- Diarrhea
- Scooting
- Appetite loss
- Vomiting
- Loss of fur
- Itching in ears/paws
- Itching in belly/rectum
- infection in the upper respiratory tract
What happens if my cat eats cream cheese?
Can cats eat cream cheese? Is it harmful to them? Well, the majority of cats have lactose intolerance. As a kitten, their body produces lactase enzyme, but the production becomes lower as they grow, so they can’t digest any dairy products.
The lactase production in cats is different as they age, so their level of lactose intolerance is also diverse. Hence some cats do just fine with dairy products.
If your cat has consumed cream cheese, it won’t develop severe symptoms in the first place. It will include an upset stomach, cramps, and accidents outside the litterbox if they do.
Some cats show severe symptoms like diarrhea that can lead to dehydration. If your cat’s condition keeps worsening, it’s best to visit a doctor to get your cat enough fluids through an IV.
Diarrhea isn’t deadly, but it can lead to death if dehydration is severe. Vomiting is not a common symptom in this case, but some cats who are sensitive to fat can suffer from vomiting.
What can I feed my cat other than cream cheese?
Cats being carnivores, love to eat meat. So the best treats and snacks for your kitty are made of meat. Freeze-dried chicken and other meats like fish are great options.
You can find all sorts of meaty treats in pet stores and online. You can also prepare meat treats at home but avoid any seasoning.
Most of the seasonings are toxic for cats when given in large amounts. Also, remember that treats should not take over your cat’s diet. Your pet needs to eat a formulated diet to receive their nutrition.
Final thoughts
Can cats eat cream cheese? Cats can eat cream cheese but in little amounts. As felines are lactose intolerant due to a lack of lactase enzyme, their digestive system cannot process dairy products to release nutrients.
If your cat experiences stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and itching, it means it is allergic to cream cheese. If the dehydration worsens, take your cat to the vet for immediate treatment.
