The notion that cats will only eat cat food for their entire lives is a human prejudice. Since cats began living in the wild about 100,000 years ago, they have been omnivores. Cats hunt and eat animals like mice and sparrows, but they also eat grass. Cats can have two meals about the size of a cat’s head per day and it will be sufficient. However, cat owners often can’t resist their cat’s cuteness and frequently offer snacks. Cats are particularly known for their love of cheese but is it okay for cats to eat cheese? Here, we explore why cats like cheese and will recommend cheeses that are cat-friendly!
Is It Safe For Cats To Eat Cheese?
Some cats love cheese, and others do not. The reaction cats have with cheese may vary with some even responding to the smell alone. But is it safe for cats to eat cheese? Human cheese is not particularly good for cats. This is mainly because many cats lack or have low levels of lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose. Since cheese is made from milk, consuming it can strain the cat’s digestive system.
Why Should Cats Be Careful With Cheese?
Salt
Cheese has a high sodium content. While salt isn’t necessarily bad for cats, the amount of salt in cheese is much higher than the daily recommended amount for cats. Excessive salt intake can put a strain on their kidneys.
High Calories
The second reason cats should be cautious with cheese is due to its high-calorie content. A piece of cheese can lead to a high-calorie intake for a cat, and the calorie-to-volume ratio is very high. As a result, the cat feels hungry and consumes more. Excessive calorie intake in cats can ultimately lead to obesity. Since dieting can be difficult for cats, it’s best to manage their diet before they gain too much weight.
Diarrhea
The third reason cats should be careful with cheese is diarrhea. Cats that do not tolerate cheese well can get diarrhea. Cat feces are typically moist with a lot of mucus. Eating cheese can make the feces even more watery, and the cats can lose their appetite. They may also develop a slight fever.
What If Your Cat Likes Cheese?
Cheese can have more negative effects on cats than you might think. However, cats can still enjoy cheese if it’s a cat-friendly cheese instead of human cheese. There are cheeses specifically designed for cats. There are also unsalted cheeses and lactose-free cheeses, but they still contain lactose or a lot of salt, so they’re not good for cats.
What Are The Benefits Of Giving Cheese To Cats?
Rich Nutrients
Cheese is rich in nutrients. Cheese, being a dairy product, is rich in magnesium, incredible amounts of calcium, generous phosphorus, high calories, and plenty of fats and minerals. As wild animals, cheese is the most nutritious source for cats, combining beneficial fats, nutrients, and minerals.
Healthy Pet Freeze-Dried Ricotta Cheese
Healthy Pet Freeze-Dried Ricotta Cheese, which contains 100% natural ingredients, aids in intestinal health, bone health, skin and fur quality, and digestion. It’s a healthy cheese suitable for pets. With a salt content of less than 0.02% per 100g of snack, it’s not salty and contains no synthetic additives, making it safe to feed to cats.
Vitakraft Cat Yums Cheese
Vitakraft’s Cat Yums, with a proud history of 185 years, is a snack that even picky cats enjoy. The snack is filled with cheese. It’s also soft, making it easy for cats to eat. It has a high fish content and is a nutritious snack full of irresistible flavors made from high-quality ingredients using a sugar-free manufacturing process.
Natural Core Merry-Chu Cheese & Tuna
Natural Core’s Merry-Chu is an easy squeeze hydration snack for cats. It’s a great product for increasing a cat’s water intake. It contains unsalted cheese and L-lysine, which is good for boosting a cat’s immunity. It also helps with skin and bone health and is beneficial for a cat’s dental health.
The Cats Mini Bero Bero Gold Cheese Cream
The Cats Mini Bero Bero Gold Cheese Cream is a snack that contains probiotics, lactic acid, and cheese, which help with constipation, indigestion, and intestinal health in cats. It also contains calcium and minerals for bone health, and it can contribute to overall cat health. Its creamy texture makes it a great addition to cat food.
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