Can cats eat cheese?

You may have seen videos or pictures online talking about the cheese tax - the demand that your pet dog or cat might make for cheese when you are cooking with cheese, or maybe just getting a cheesy snack. But, can cats eat cheese? Is there a certain cheese cats can eat? How much cheese can a cat eat?

According to PetMD.com, the short answer is yes, cats can eat cheese, but there are some guidelines. The good news is cheese is high in protein and calcium, but many, maybe most, adult cats are lactose intolerant. Giving dairy products to cats that are lactose intolerant can cause gas, diarrhea, or vomiting. Catster.com also notes that besides lactose intolerance, some cats actually have a dairy allergy. In this case, cats may also have itchy or red skin, or even respiratory issues in addition to tummy troubles. It's a good idea to check with a vet before giving cats any foods they aren't used to. Signs of lactose intolerance or allergies will usually show up within a few hours, so if your cat displays signs of gastrointestinal distress or allergic reaction after eating cheese, that is a sign that they aren't able to digest it, and so it's best to keep it away from them. 

Even if your cat can digest cheese, it's a good idea to keep the portions small. PetMD cautions that is high in calories. They even say 1 ounce of cheese to a cat is like a person eating 2 and a half cheeseburgers!

If lactose is a concern, Cheesescientist.com has a list of the lactose content of many types of cheese, so if you just can't resist paying the cheese tax, cheese on the lower end of the lactose spectrum might be options. Hard cheese like cheddar, provolone, or swiss are low in lactose, so these can be better options for cats who don't have a dairy allergy. PetMD says a piece about the size of a single dice (or a die), is around the biggest cheese portion for a cat, and even then to break it up into smaller pieces to keep your cat from eating it all in one bite. It should also be limited to once or twice a week as a special treat. 

Parmesan cheese could also be a cheese your cat could eat, because it is lower in lactose. But, bear in mind that cats should not have onions or garlic, so the parmesan cheese on top of your spaghetti is not a good option! In fact, that goes for seasoned cheeses as well - the spices or seasonings are often not appropriate for cats!

Softer cheeses are often higher in lactose so, it is not recommended for cats to eat cottage cheese or cream cheese. PetMD.com says both cottage cheese and cream cheese are likely to cause gastrointestinal distress, like vomiting or diarrhea, in cats. They also put mozzarella in the "no" category for cats. String cheese is usually made from mozzarella, which means your string cheese snack is not a good food to share with your feline friend. 

Catster.com also cautions that vegan cheese is not a good food for kitties. It does not contain lactose, so you might think it would be a better choice, but it is still high in salt and fat, so even vegan cheese should be kept to small portions. 

If your cat has snuck a bite of cheese, it's usually not a cause for concern, but if they have eaten a large quantity of cheese and/or are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, it's time to call your vet to make a treatment plan. PetMD says to be extra careful though if your cat has any underlying issues, like diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease or pancreatitis. If your cat has underlying issues and has eaten cheese, or anything they aren't used to, call your vet sooner rather than later to try to head off any more serious issues.

So, next time your cat comes around to collect the cheese tax, think about what kind of cheese it is and how much is a healthy portion for them before handing over the goods! 

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