Can Cats Eat Cheese?
Cats are known for their love of fish, but can cats eat cheese as well? This is a common question that many cat owners have. After all, it seems like every cat owner has seen a video or photo of a cat with its nose stuck in a block of cheese or licking the remnants from an empty plate. The answer to this question is yes and no – some types of cheese can be beneficial for cats while others may cause health problems if eaten regularly.
Cheese Basics
Cheese is made from milk, usually cow’s milk but sometimes other sources such as sheep’s milk or goat’s milk. During the process of making cheese, bacteria cultures are added which ferment the lactose sugars into lactic acid and give cheese its unique flavor. Depending on what type of bacteria culture was used, different cheeses will have varying levels of saltiness and tanginess.
Types Of Cheeses
Some types of cheeses are suitable for cats to enjoy occasionally while others should be avoided due to their high fat content or difficulty digesting lactose sugars found in them:
• Soft Cheeses: Creamy soft cheeses such as Brie, Camembert and Roquefort contain little lactose so they’re generally safe for cats to consume in moderation (small amounts at most). Avoid feeding your cat strong pungent flavored blue-veined cheeses like Stilton or Gorgonzola though – these contain higher levels of mold which could make your kitty sick if ingested too often!
• Hard/Aged Cheeses: Cheddar, Gruyere and Parmesan are examples of harder aged cheesess that tend to be very salty with complex flavors due to long aging periods during production. These should only be given sparingly since they’re difficult for felines to digest plus extremely high in sodium – consuming too much can lead to dehydration among other health issues!
• Processed Cheese Products: Commercially processed varieties such as Kraft Singles slices don’t qualify as real “cheese” because they typically contain more fillers than actual dairy products (e.g., creamers). These aren’t recommended at any time since artificial additives present potential risks when fed long-term without proper veterinary care supervision first!
• Non-Dairy Alternatives: If you’re looking for something less risky then consider vegan alternatives made from plant proteins instead; these won’t provide any nutritional benefits per se but do offer pet parents peace-of-mind knowing there aren’t any animal byproducts included either (which helps eliminate chances that allergens may exist)!