Your cat may find it very attractive to eat cheese, and you may even love sharing your food with him, but keep in mind that not all human foods are good for pets. So before sharing a piece of cheese with your feline again, ask yourself this question: Can cats eat cheese?
Keep reading this post and discover the details to consider before offering cheese to your pet.
Although cats feed on their mother's milk since they are born, this does not mean that they can digest food with lactose.
When they are puppies, cats produce a high amount of the enzyme lactase, which allows them to digest the mother's milk. But once the breastfeeding phase is over, the production of the enzyme lactase decreases considerably.
So when kitty starts eating solids, his ability to process dairy foods like cheese disappears. On the other hand, felines are carnivorous animals so they require a large amount of nutrients while growing.
Feeding them dairy can lead to poor digestion, loose stools, and long-term damage to their intestines. So when faced with the question of "Can cats eat cheese?", The answer is yes, but in small quantities.
Ingredients can vary from one type of cheese to another, so this is another factor to consider.
When it comes to cream cheese, this is one of the most acceptable types of cheese for your cat. On the one hand, it is low in salt and chemical additives; Most importantly, it contains low levels of lactose.
Simply put, cream cheese is one of the best cheese alternatives to share with your feline. However, you must control the amount you give your pet, so as not to cause any type of intestinal or stomach ailment.
Cottage cheese is another option considered suitable for cats. This cheese is highly recommended by veterinarians to provide medicine for felines.
One of the main advantages of cottage is that it has less lactose and is a rich source of protein for your pet.
On the other hand, its consistency is loved by felines and is an ideal alternative to prepare a very attractive snack for your cat.
Although we answered "yes" to the question of "Can cats eat cheese?", In regards to "Can cats eat mac and cheese?" the answer is a huge "no".
As we have already mentioned, cats can eat only small amounts of cheese, and in a plate of mac and cheese the amount of lactose is too much. Your pet may love the taste of food, but his body is not designed to process dairy foods.
Macaroni can be eaten by felines without much risk, but cheese affects the digestive system of your mustachioed friend. In fact, eating mac and cheese can lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
Additionally, this food has a high content of fat and sodium that can impair the health of your pet, and turn him into an obese cat if he consumes it frequently.
The cheesecake is high in fat and sugar, so you should avoid feeding your cat this dessert.
But in case you want to allow him to savor this food, do so in as much moderation as possible. Generally these foods cause gastrointestinal upset, and symptoms appear half an hour after eating the cheesecake.
In case the discomfort persists, it is best to go to the vet.
Mozzarella cheese is another of the less harmful options for your feline. This is a mild cheese that like gouda, cheddars, feta, Swiss or Parmesan are acceptable for your pet.
Additionally, mozzarella has low levels of lactose and little salt. These characteristics make it one of the healthiest cheeses for your kitten.
This is another case that contradicts the "yes" of the initial question "Can cats eat cheese?". And it is that when we talk about a cheese pizza the picture changes completely. This is one of the foods that you should avoid sharing with your cat at all costs.
Veterinarians advise not to include pizzas in the diet of cats, since most contain at least one ingredient highly harmful to felines. If you add the amount of cheese that a cheese pizza has, the food can cause serious problems for your pet.
Another factor to seriously consider is that the pizza crust can lead to obesity, which in turn can lead to respiratory conditions, fatigue and mobility problems. Together, these factors can cause the premature death of your feline.
We must remember that dairy products are not part of the natural menu for cats. Felines are carnivores by nature, which means that they survive and thrive on meat foods.
Cheese generally contains fat, lactose and salt, ingredients that are not healthy for your furry pet. These components can cause alterations in the digestive system of cats, since these animals do not have the lactase enzyme to break down lactose and other nutrients in dairy products.
Simply put, cats are lactose intolerant and consuming too much cheese can cause vomiting and severe diarrhea.
Although the response to "Can cats eat cheese?" is "yes", there is a big "but" that accompanies this answer. And is that your cat can eat cheese but in few portions and in certain presentations.
If you want to include cheese in your pet's diet, it is best to use only unprocessed cheeses. That is, offer only natural cheeses, or those that are low in fat, salt and lactose. Goat cheese is the best alternative.
When your cat eats too much cheese, it can suffer from stomach ailments such as constipation, stomach pain or diarrhea. Most cat foods contain cheese as a complementary ingredient and in the right amount, so these can be an ideal alternative.
In short, you can provide your cat with a small piece of cheese once or twice a week. It is also recommended that you give him healthy cheeses for him, with little lactose, salt and fat.
Finally, it is important that you know that although small amounts of cheese do not represent a danger for your pet, it is a food that cats do not need. So if you can prevent your feline from eating it, it would be more beneficial for him.
Cheese is not toxic to felines, but neither is it a food that provides them with any nutritional value. On the other hand, allowing your cat to consistently eat cheese could be fatal to him.
And although the symptoms of digestive problems caused by cheese are obvious, it is also possible that your cat suffers from other problems such as weight gain, constant fatigue, difficulty breathing and mobility.
All of these problems can be due to excessive cheese intake. In these cases, the best thing you can do is consult your vet, and stop giving your cat cheese.
Having clarified all the details regarding "Can cats eat cheese?", Now you only have to keep in mind the advice and details explained to guarantee the health of your pet.
