Can Cats Eat Cheese?

What do cats do before they’re photographed? They don’t say cheese they just strike a purr… sorry pose! If you’re having a dinner party at home, chances are that your cat already can smell the wine and cheese platter at the dinner table. Even if you’re craving for mac and cheese and have cheese blocks resting on the kitchen counter, their inner-ninja mode gets activated and he or she slyly creeps into the kitchen to call dibs on the block of cheese. But is it safe for them to eat?

Cats can have very tiny portions of cheese but make sure he/she is not lactose intolerant or has an allergy to dairy products. Your veterinarian will be the best to tell you this information after a thorough assessment. If he or she is lactose intolerant, a small nibble can cause an uproar in the digestive system. It’s time to bust an age-old myth. Most cats aren’t fans of milk or cream. Their digestive system just doesn’t react well to it. The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine suggests that many cats are lactose intolerant. Dairy products induce gastrointestinal problems including inflammation, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting. If your furry one accidentally munches on that cheese cube, it could cause digestive issues and might even hamper their overall immune system.

The Cummings Veterinary Medical Centre at Tufts University recommends not to feed cheese to the furry ones in case their veterinarian has asked to reduce their salt consumption. If he or she has a heart condition, it is a big no-no! This cheesy affair must be stopped before things escalate! Research suggests that only eight to 10 percent of a pet’s daily calorie intake should come from treats

Cheese has way too many calories. If a cat consumes a 1-ounce cube of cheddar cheese, it is equivalent to a hooman gobbling two and a half cheeseburgers! Here’s where a F.R.I.E.N.D.S reference should be inserted – “A moment on the lips, forever one the hips!”.

Although, if your cat is not lactose intolerant and you’d like to let him/her snag a tiny treat from the kitchen, here are a few types of cheese to consider:-

Cheddar: This cheese is extremely popular as it can be tucked into a grilled cheese sandwich or drizzled over an ariabatta pasta. It doesn’t contain much lactose. However, don’t get excited at this thought. It is important to monitor the amount of cheese you are feeding your cat. It can still cause the tummies to go on a tumultuous ride.

Swiss: A sandwich is incomplete without a slice of Swiss cheese! It is regarded as one of the healthier options for hoomans as it is high in protein, low in sodium and fat. Similar to cheddar, it does not contain much lactose but again, moderation is key. We don’t want our furry one to be vomiting all over the living room!  

Mozzarella: He/she can surely have a pizza of your heart, but not a slice of pizza! Raw or cooked, your cat cannot be ca(t)ught having mozzarella cheese. It is high in lactose and can be slotted in the high-risk category. Many pet parents have actually ca(t)ught uninvited guests at movie night. Now you know next, it’s easier to get Indian or Chinese take-out than having a pizza party! This way there's no way that there'll be any gatecrashers.

You could give him or her a piece of cheese now and then if the vet says it is a healthy option for him/her. At least he or she can have a love story and the cat and the cheese can live happurrly ever after!