Rewarding your cat with a snack, whether made specifically for felines or food suitable for human consumption, is a recurring gesture on a daily basis. You’re probably doing this with the best of intentions, but keep in mind that not all foods are cat-friendly. In this sense, some doubts arise about the suitability of cheese for cats.
There is a wide variety of cheeses with which to reward your cat, but the main aspect that you must assess before giving him a piece is whether it is beneficial or harmful to his health. Therefore, it is convenient to delve into the impact of the intake of this dairy product in felines. To find out if cats can eat cheese , when they should eat it and the types they can eat, at OneHOWTO we recommend that you continue reading this article.
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Index
- Can cats eat cheese or not?
- Dairy allergy and lactose intolerance in cats
- Types of cheese that cats can eat
- How much cheese can cats eat?
Can cats eat cheese or not?
The cheese can be made with goat’s or cow’s milk, for example, being a great source of protein of animal origin . In addition, it provides fats and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
Cats are completely carnivorous, that is, meat and fish are the main sources of their food. Although they are animals that can eat foods with a high carbohydrate content, they should do so in moderate amounts to avoid problems in their digestive system.
So is cheese good for cats? The answer is not so simple. Felines can eat cheese in their first months of life , that is, when they are puppies. Once they reach adulthood, the vast majority cannot consume it because they develop lactose intolerance .
Dairy allergy and lactose intolerance in cats
The body of kittens generates a large amount of lactase, which is an enzyme capable of digesting lactose from breast milk. Therefore, they can consume cheese in their first months of life without posing a risk to their health.
However, after weaning, lactase production is progressively reduced, which is why many adult felines develop lactose intolerance and cannot eat cheese .
Dairy allergies in adult cats are important to consider. Otherwise, if they consume cheese on a regular basis, they can suffer from problems in the digestive system and suffer symptoms such as gas, diarrhea and vomiting.
If you’ve just welcomed a kitten into your home and want to give it cheese, you can do so in small amounts. In any case, ask your veterinarian what types of cheese are suitable for small cats, the most recommended portions and from what age you should stop giving them dairy so as not to put their health at risk.
Types of cheese that cats can eat
To find out how to give cheese to a cat in the best possible way, at OneHOWTO we recommend that you always do it as a prize or reward during the kitty’s educational stage and in small pieces. Use the food to reinforce their learning and the good behaviors developed, thus stimulating their desire to continue learning.
However, do not always use food as a method of positive reinforcement for your cat, as this could end up developing problems with weight gain, obesity or an assimilation of the connection between obedience and food in return. The best option is to combine snacks such as cheese with toys, caresses, praise and moments of fun so that your cat feels that his effort is rewarded. Even so, not all cheeses are entirely suitable for our cats.
- Cow cheeseis one of the cheapest and easiest to find on the market, but it is not the most recommended for your cat.
- Sheep and goat cheeses are easierfor cats to digest, so it is important that you give preference to these types of cheese if you want to give your cat some pieces without causing a digestive problem associated with lactose intolerance developed by the animal in adulthood.
- Other types of cheese that you can add to your cat’s snacks are low-fat cheeses, such as low- fat cottage or ricotta .
As you can see, there are several alternatives to satisfy your kitten’s demanding appetite with cheese without putting their health at risk.
How much cheese can cats eat?
Cats can consume cheese as long as it is in small amounts . It must mean an occasional snack or a complement to homemade recipes. There is no specific amount of cheese that they can eat: it varies depending on their weight, size, state of health and the age of each feline.
Therefore, it is crucial to consult with a veterinarian to choose the most appropriate diet for your cat based on its nutritional needs. The specialist will be able to guide you on the introduction of cheese in your diet and will advise you on the appropriate doses so that it has a positive impact on the health of the pussycat.
If you want to know more about caring for cats, we recommend these OneHOWTO articles on What to know before adopting a cat , What happens if a cat eats chocolate and Why does my cat vomit the whole food .
