Why
Like milk, cheese contains lactose, and most cats make much less lactase, the enzyme that digests it, once they are weaned. The ASPCA explains that because pets do not have significant amounts of lactase, dairy products can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset, and the Cornell Feline Health Center does not generally recommend dairy for cats. PetMD's veterinary guide goes further: many, perhaps most, cats are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy, and those cats should not have any dairy at all.
Cheese is also very rich. PetMD's guide compares a 1-ounce square of cheddar for a cat to a person eating two and a half cheeseburgers. It contains protein and calcium, but a cat on a complete cat food already gets both, so cheese adds calories without filling a gap.
Types of cheese differ. Hard, aged cheeses generally contain less lactose than soft, fresh cheeses, which is why they are the least risky choice for the cats that can have any.
Risks to watch for
- Soft cheeses, which are higher in lactose: cream cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella and string cheese, brie and camembert
- Blue cheese and processed American cheese, which PetMD's guide lists among cheeses to avoid
- Cheeses and spreads flavored with garlic, onion, chives or herbs. Onion and garlic are toxic to cats
- Cheesecake, pizza, cheese sauces and cheese crackers, which add fat, carbohydrates and other ingredients
- Vomiting, diarrhea, gas or belly pain after eating cheese
- Weight gain if cheese becomes a regular habit
How to share safely
- Choose a plain, firm cheese with no added flavors, such as cheddar, Swiss or Parmesan.
- Cut a cube no bigger than a dice, then break it into smaller pieces so your cat does not gulp it.
- The first time, offer a crumb and watch your cat for a few days for vomiting or diarrhea. If either appears, skip dairy from now on.
- Do not give a second serving, and keep cheese to once or twice a week at most.
- If your cat has inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, liver disease or pancreatitis, is overweight, or eats a prescription diet, ask your vet first.
How much?
PetMD's veterinary guide suggests no more than a dice-sized cube of hard cheese, once or twice a week, and only for a cat known to tolerate dairy. Many cats are better off with none.
Which cheeses are least risky for cats?
If your cat tolerates dairy, PetMD's veterinary guide suggests plain, firm cheeses with no additives. Soft cheeses tend to be much higher in lactose and are more likely to cause vomiting and diarrhea. Firmer options include:
- Cheddar
- Swiss
- Parmesan
- Provolone
- Gouda
Is it okay to hide pills in cheese?
Many owners wrap a pill in cheese, and for some cats it works. It is still worth asking your vet or the pharmacy before you do. Ask whether that medicine can be given with food, and whether cheese suits your cat, because cats that need regular medicine often have conditions such as bowel disease, pancreatitis or diabetes where rich, fatty foods are best avoided.
Your vet may suggest other options: a pill pocket or treat made for cats, a small ball of your cat's own wet food, or a different form of the medicine, such as a liquid or a flavored version, if one is available.
My cat ate cheese. What should I do?
If your cat is otherwise healthy and ate only a small amount, PetMD's veterinary guide says it is usually fine to watch at home. The most likely result is a mild stomach upset. Call your vet if your cat seems unwell, eats less than usual, or has vomiting or diarrhea.
Call sooner, before any signs appear, if the cheese was flavored with garlic, onion or chives, or if your cat has one of these conditions:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Diabetes
- Liver disease
- Pancreatitis
Common questions
Is cheese good for cats?
Only in limited ways. Like milk, cheese contains lactose, and most cats make much less lactase, the enzyme that digests it, once they are weaned. The ASPCA explains that because pets do not have significant amounts of lactase, dairy products can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset, and the Cornell Feline Health Center does not generally recommend dairy for cats.
Is cheese bad for cats?
It can be. Risks to watch for: soft cheeses, which are higher in lactose: cream cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella and string cheese, brie and camembert; blue cheese and processed American cheese, which PetMD's guide lists among cheeses to avoid.
Are cats allowed to have cheese?
Only in small amounts and the right form. Choose a plain, firm cheese with no added flavors, such as cheddar, Swiss or Parmesan.
Can kittens eat cheese?
It is best not to. Kittens lose much of their ability to digest lactose as they wean, usually by around 8 weeks of age, and their small stomachs need food that supports growth. Stick to a complete kitten food.
Is cheese a good source of calcium for cats?
Cheese does contain calcium, but a complete cat food already supplies what a cat needs, balanced against phosphorus. Do not use cheese or any other food as a calcium supplement unless your vet recommends it.
Can cats eat cream cheese?
It is better not to. Cream cheese is a soft cheese with more lactose than hard cheeses, and PetMD's veterinary guide notes it is likely to trigger vomiting and diarrhea.
Sources
- PetMD. Can Cats Eat Cheese? (Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
If your cat has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital or an animal poison control service right away, even if your cat seems fine. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home.