Can Cats eat cheese? In this post, we will answer if cheese can be a beneficial food for cats and how much cheese your cat can eat if you want to incorporate it into its diet.
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IS CHEESE GOOD FOR CATS?
If you have a cat at home, you know that cheese is usually attractive to her. However, you may want to know if cats can eat cheese or if this food can harm them.
Cheese is a source of animal protein and contains a considerable amount of fat and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Although cheese is a high-protein food with some beneficial fats, most adult cats cannot eat cheese because they are lactose intolerant.
While baby cats are lactating, mother’s milk is the only ideal food to meet all their nutritional needs because their bodies produce an enzyme called lactase, which is responsible for digesting the lactose present in breast milk.
But when cats complete their weaning period and are ready to experience new foods, their body progressively decreases the production of this enzyme.
Most adult cats become lactose intolerant since their body does not produce lactase to digest dairy products.
Adult cats can develop digestive problems such as gas, vomiting, or diarrhea if they consume milk, cheese, or other dairy products.
For this reason, although cheese is not one of the prohibited foods for cats, its consumption should be moderate to prevent digestive problems.
In addition, we must emphasize that even though cheese offers a good supply of protein and fat, it should not replace meat, beef, chicken, turkey, or fish.
WHAT KIND OF CHEESE CAN I GIVE MY CAT?
Although cow’s cheese is cheaper and easier to find, goat’s and sheep’s cheeses are easier to digest.
You can offer a small piece of hard cheese as a prize when training your kitties to reinforce good behaviors and encourage your feline friend to continue learning.
However, it is essential not to use food alone as positive reinforcement for cats.
You may want to alternate snacks with caresses, toys, praise, and good times of fun, which are also excellent rewards for your feline’s effort and intelligence.
On the other hand, we can also add low-fat cheeses, such as low-fat ricotta or cottage cheese.
IS THERE A SAFE DOSE OF CHEESE FOR CATS?
As we have seen, cats can eat cheese in small quantities as a snack or complement to homemade recipes.
Although there is no specific dose of cheese for your cats, you have to consider the size, weight, age, and health of your feline friend.
Always consult your vet to choose the appropriate diet for your cat based on its nutritional needs.
The vet will be able to guide you regarding the introduction of cheese in your cat’s diet, advising you on the most appropriate and safe doses.
In conclusion, cats and cheese go together like peanut butter and jelly! Cheese is a great source of protein and fat for cats, and it can be a tasty treat.
Cheese also contains beneficial vitamins and minerals that cats need in their diet. Additionally, cheese is a great source of calcium, which helps keep cats’ bones and teeth strong. With all these benefits, it’s no wonder why cats can eat cheese