Good Ole Garfield
Many of us are familiar with the classic image of a smug Garfield lounging on the kitchen counter, staring lovingly at a fresh, steaming dish of lasagna; and while we’re all aware that it is, of course, just a cartoon, this deeply-ingrained image conjures up a question or two about how much John really knows when it comes to feline food.
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Cats and Cheese: A Modern-Day Romeo and Juliet
If you’ve ever noticed your kitty companion pitifully eyeballing you from across the room, longing for you to share some of your grilled cheese with them, then you’re probably aware that cats love cheese for the same reasons that we do: it’s full of milk, cream, and fat, with a high protein content for an added bonus!
But as much as your cat may enjoy the taste, is it really something that should become a regular item on their menu?
According to Dr. Brad LeVora, DVM, cheese is actually not a natural part of any cat’s diet.
Think about it: cats are carnivores by nature, and in the wild seek out protein in the form of fresh meat.
Now, you may be asking yourself: Isn’t there protein in cheese too, and a lot of it?
The problem is, that while cheese does contain a high level of protein, it also contains vast amounts of other ingredients that may be harmful to your cat’s digestive health, and it’s better in the long run for your feline friend that you avoid giving into their pleading eyes. (1.)
Cats can eat small amounts of cheese without it hurting them, but it is not recommended to give it to them in large amounts, and not regularly as it is not good for them.
Milk, Salt, and Fat: No Good for Your Cat
Kitties and Cream
It’s common knowledge that cheese is made with milk and cream.
However, while we’ve all been exposed at one time or another to the gentle image of a cat delicately lapping up a bowl of milk, Dr. LeVora insists that there is absolutely no nutritional reason to be giving your cat milk or milk products.
As a matter of fact, most cats are actually lactose intolerant; they lack the necessary enzymes that most people have that allow us to break down lactose, and thus have a difficult time digesting foods such as cheese.
If they continue to eat cheese in spite of this, your kitty companion may be subject to severe vomiting and diarrhea.
This raises another question, however: Kittens are clearly able to digest milk, so shouldn’t they be able to digest milk-products like cheese as well? Surprisingly, the answer is actually no.
While kittens produce more of the lactase enzyme than older, full-grown cats, their production of this enzyme will have already decreased substantially by the time they’re able to handle eating solid foods.
It’s important to note here that the purpose of this enzyme being present in kittens is to allow them to consume and digest their mother’s milk.
Feeding a kitten solid food before they begin weaning poses the risk of a choking hazard.
Not to mention that kittens have very specific dietary requirements.
During the time that they’re still producing enough of the lactase enzyme to digest their mother’s milk, feeding them solid foods such as cheese could cause loose stools, altering their digestion and perhaps causing permanent damage to their intestines.
Moral of the story: your kitty companions have very important nutritional needs, and cheese is not one of them.
Also read: Can cats eat peanut butter?
Fat Cat Syndrome
Not surprisingly, cheese is chalk-full of salt and fat, neither of which your cat should be consuming in mass quantities.
An unchecked affinity for cheese may push your cat to start packing on the pounds.
Unfortunately, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 60% of household cats were overweight or obese as of 2018.
This makes it the most common preventable disease in cats.
Not only can obesity drastically reduced your furry friend’s life expectancy, it can also set them on the slippery slope towards heart and liver disease, as well as accelerated joint degeneration and even potential anesthetic complications. (2.)
A Spoonful of Sugar…
Are you familiar with the phrase, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down”?
Many pet owners take this to heart when dealing with fickle felines that seem adamantly opposed to taking their oh-so important medication.
Some may even be tempted to hide that pill in a slice of cheese, just to help it go down.
However, it’s important to consider the potential consequences of giving your cat a taste for cheese.
Luckily, there are several healthier alternatives for convincing your stubborn cat to take their medications.
If you’re looking for an alternative that you might already have at home, a slice of chicken breast can easily do the trick for wrapping up a pill.
Crushing the pill up and mixing it with wet food also allows for a substitute to the cheese-slice method while simultaneously giving the medication to your cat in a manner in which they are likely familiar with.
If you’re willing to spend a few extra dollars, you can also purchase pill pockets from any popular pet store; these make it fast and easy to hide away your pet’s pill in a delicious treat that appeals to them, and leaves little to no clean-up for you.
No Dairy, No Problem, Right? Not Quite…
Considering that the main factor in having to remind your cat that it’s “nacho cheese” is their inherent lactose intolerance, then there’s no harm in giving them non-dairy cheese, right?
Unfortunately, it’s not quite so.
The problem is, while the non-dairy and vegan alternatives eliminate the risk of your cat reacting poorly to the lactose in cheese, there are still a number of other ingredients in non-dairy cheese that may prove harmful or even fatal to your feline.
Many cheeses, non-dairy and dairy alike, are made with spices and additional ingredients, from black pepper to garlic and onion, that are all potentially dangerous to your cat’s delicate digestive system.
Plus, even non-dairy cheese is packed with salts and fats, which leads us back to the impending fat cat syndrome all too common in household pets.
All in all, non-dairy cheese is no better for your cat than it’s cream-contingent counterpart, and as neither possess any significant nutritional benefits to cats, it would be wise to substitute these treating temptations for one of any number of healthier alternatives.
To Treat or Not to Treat
It’s natural for us to want to treat our feline friends every now and then, as a way of thanking them for their companionship and good behavior.
Before caving to your kitty’s forlorn glances at your ham and Swiss, though, consider trying one of these healthy alternatives:
- Blueberries: Due to the antioxidants and high water and fiber content, blueberries make an excellent treat for cats! Some common pet foods even include blueberry powder as a source of added nutrients.
- Pumpkin / Pumpkin Seeds: Pure pumpkin can serve as a natural solution to several digestive issues your cat may be experiencing, such as constipation or abnormal stool, due to its high levels of water and fiber. Pumpkin seeds provide similar benefits for your kitty, in a form that is more kin to the common kibble that makes up the greater part of many cats’ diets.
- Cooked Eggs – This is an especially beneficial treat for pregnant cats, who require an increased intake of protein which can be easily provided through a scrambled or hard-boiled egg. It’s important to note that, when treating your cat with eggs, you must be certain that they are fully cooked; while there is little research into feline digestion of under-cooked or raw eggs, the consumption of these poses too great a risk for bacterial infections such as salmonella or e-coli to chance feeding them to you cat.
- Apples – Being high in fiber and vitamin C, apples provide a refreshing snack for your kitty when served without the peel, and cut into small, manageable pieces that do not pose a potential choking hazard to your cat.
As you can see, there are a variety of natural alternatives to cheese that provide your cat with additional vitamins and nutrients, without the lingering threat of possibly putting your pet’s health at risk.
Remember, it’s always important to treat your cat in moderation, as large amounts of any one food may set your cat’s diet off balance.
And, of course, if you’re ever unsure about which foods are safe and healthy for cats, it’s always wise to consult a veterinarian before treating your kitty.
In Summary
While cats and cheese have a long and loving history, both in our media and in our hearts, perhaps it’s time we take a step back and consider the health benefits (or lack thereof) that may result from indulging our feline’s fascination with feta.
It may seem like a bit of brie couldn’t possibly hurt every now and then, but once your cat gets a taste for it they’ll only grow more eager to devour that delicious treat, and that can bode ill for their long-term health.
Rather than choosing to chip away a chunk of cheddar to satisfy your cat’s cravings, perhaps consider the more natural, healthy options that are available to help you shake up your kitty’s diet.
After all, when it comes to our pets, our greatest concern is helping them to live long and happy lives, and being conscientious about what they eat is an excellent way to keep them playful and healthy for many years to come.
