Cheese, in all its varieties and presentations, is one of the most appreciated foods in international gastronomy. Although there are hundreds of types of cheese, each with its own aroma, texture, flavor and nutritional composition, we can define cheese, without exhausting all the history and work involved in its production, as a source of proteins and fats very tasty and sophisticated.
In addition to pleasing our palate, cheese offers many benefits to human he alth, provided that it is consumed in moderate doses. And if you share your house with a feline companion, you know very well that this food is usually very attractive to kittens. However, you may be wondering if cats can eat cheese or if this food can harm them. For this reason, on our site we answer you and explain if cheese can be a beneficial food for cats, and we show the precautions that we must take if we decide to incorporate this food into the diet of our kittens.
Is cheese good for cats?
Cheese is a source of protein of animal origin, since it is produced from the milk of different mammals. Although the most consumed cheeses worldwide come from cow's milk, there are also very exquisite cheeses made from sheep, goat and buffalo milk. Being a dairy product, cheese also contains a considerable contribution defats (although there are many cheeses that are reduced in calories and total fat), and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium
As cats are strictly carnivorous animals, proteins must be the mainstay and, consequently, the most abundant macronutrient in their nutrition, accompanied by beneficial fats, vitamins and minerals. Although cats can consume very moderate portions of carbohydrates, we must bear in mind that excess of this nutrient can cause digestive disorders, in addition to favoring the development of obesity in cats.
Considering that cheese is a high-protein food that also has some beneficial fats, it might be logical to conclude that cats can eat cheese. But the matter is not so simple, because cheese is also a direct derivative of milk, and most adult cats are lactose intolerantWe explain you better below…
While baby cats are lactating, mother's milk is the only ideal food to supply all their nutritional needs. Therefore, your body produces a large amount of 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, your body progressively decreases the production of this enzyme This is the most important food transition that cats experience in their life, because it means that their body prepares to survive on its own, without the need to receive food from another individual.
Most adult cats become lactose intolerant, as their body does not produce the enzyme needed to digest lactose or produces insufficient levels to digest it properly. So, when consuming milk or dairy products, felines can develop digestive problems, such as gas, vomiting or diarrhea.
For this reason, although cheese is not one of the prohibited foods for cats Its consumption should be moderate to prevent such disturbances digestives. In addition, we must emphasize that even though cheese offers a good supply of protein and fat, it should not replace meat, be it veal, chicken, turkey or fish.
What kind of cheese can I give my cat?
Although cow's cheese is cheaper and easier to find, goat and sheep's cheese are easier to digest for our minions. So, it would be interesting to give preference to these types of cheese to prevent digestive problems associated with lactose intolerance in cats.
In this sense, we can offer a small piece of hard cheese as a prize during the education of our kittens, using this food that Our feline likes it so much to reinforce good behaviors and stimulate it to continue learning. However, it is important not to use only food as positive reinforcement for cats, as this could end up causing rapid weight gain, or the assimilation that obedience must always be connected with receiving food in return. It is best to alternate snacks with caresses, toys, praise and good moments of fun, which are also excellent rewards for your feline's effort and intelligence.
On the other hand, we can also add lean cheeses, such as lean ricotta or cottage cheese in the homemade recipes that we prepare to complement the diet of our kittens and please their demanding appetite.
Is there a safe dose of cheese I can give my cat?
As we have seen, cats can always eat cheese in very small amounts, as a possible snack or a complement to homemade recipes. However, there is no predetermined dose for all cats, but the safe and beneficial amount of cheese must be appropriate according to the size, weight, age and he alth status of each kitten.
Therefore, it is essential that you consult a veterinarian to choose the most appropriate diet according to the nutritional needs of your feline. The professional 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 to obtain a positive impact on your cat's he alth.
