It’s common knowledge that cats are finicky eaters, but cheese is one salty snack they’ll go crazy for. Cottage cheese is safe for cats, but only in small amounts. After draining the liquid from the cheese, some veterinarians suggest using cheese to sneak pills into the cat.
Cats love the texture of cheese, so including some in their food is a great way to entice them and give them a delicious appetizer. If you want to know everything there is to know about giving your cat cheese, read this post. Continue reading!
Can Cats Eat Cottage Cheese?
Curdled milk is the starting point for making cottage cheese. It tastes mild and has a slightly lumpy, mushy consistency.
Due to its high protein and calcium content, cottage cheese is a popular choice among those looking for a nutritious snack.
Cottage cheese can, in fact, be eaten by felines. Therefore, cats shouldn’t rely on cottage cheese as a staple in their diet, and should instead enjoy it in moderation as a treat.
However, because of its lower lactose content, cottage cheese is easier for your cat to digest.
Cottage cheese can be a good alternative for lactose-intolerant cats.
Even if your cat is not lactose intolerant, you should still limit its cottage cheese consumption because of its high calorie content.
Cats require vitamin B12 for healthy skin and fur, which can be found in cottage cheese.
Is Cheese Bad for Cats?
Cheese is a protein-rich food that also contains less lactose than yogurt.
The digestive system of your feline friend is not well suited to dairy products, but you may be surprised to learn that most cats can tolerate small slices of cheese.
Therefore, even a tiny amount of cheese can cause digestive havoc in cats that are lactose intolerant.
Dairy isn’t a natural part of a cat’s diet, despite popular belief to the contrary, and your cat may have trouble digesting any dairy product you give it. Because cats are obligate carnivores, they thrive on a diet rich in meat.
Dairy has a high protein and fat content, similar to that of meat, which may be why they crave it. Cheese can cause stomach problems for most cats because they are lactose intolerant.
Cats have a lactose intolerance because, unlike humans and most other animals, their bodies do not produce the lactase enzymes necessary to digest the lactose in dairy products.
Because of this, lactose intolerance develops in cats when they consume dairy products.
Even though cats typically don’t have many food allergies, it’s still a good idea to read the label before feeding your pet.
Cats may not be able to resist the tempting aroma or texture of cheese.
Cheese can harm an immune system, leading to problems for a cat that is lactose intolerant.
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Gas
- Inflammation
- Itchy, red areas of skin
- Hair loss
Cats with hypertension, obesity, or heart disease should avoid cheese for the same reasons. Cheese, bread, fast food, and potato chips do not belong in a low-sodium cat’s diet.
Cheese is high in calories, so it’s best to serve it only on rare occasions to avoid causing weight gain.
Is Cottage Cheese Good For Cats To Eat?
Cottage cheese’s high protein and calcium content will be great for the feline friends.
Cats need a lot of protein in their diets on a daily basis to keep their bodies functioning properly.
Cats need plenty of calcium for strong teeth and bones.
Cottage cheese’s vitamin D content can be improved by adding sunshine mix when served.
Cottage cheese’s high protein and calcium content are great for Fido.
What Happens If Your Cat Eat Cottage Cheese?
If your cat eats cottage cheese, it could lead to a number of undesirable outcomes.
Cats that suffer from lactose intolerance may experience unpleasant side effects after consuming dairy products, including bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Cats with lactose intolerance may have a particularly difficult time digesting cottage cheese due to its high lactose content.
Cottage cheese is safe for cats to eat as long as they don’t have a milk allergy.
In fact, the high protein and calcium content may be beneficial for cats with healthy digestive systems, as they can aid in the maintenance of strong bones and teeth.
It’s also not a good idea for a pregnant or nursing cat to consume dairy products, as doing so can cause digestive issues in the kittens.
However, if your cat is lactose intolerant, you should keep them away from dairy products to prevent a variety of uncomfortable side effects.
- Hair loss
- Itchy, red areas of skin
- Inflammation
- Gas
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Cottage cheese is generally safe for cats, but some felines may have sensitivities to dairy products like milk, so check with your vet before giving your cat any.
No need to worry if your cat accidentally consumes too much of this food, as it is typically eliminated from the body within a couple of days.
How Does Cottage Cheese Have Less Lactose?
The lactose in cottage cheese is fermented into lactic acid and glucose by a bacterial starter culture.
Cottage cheese’s whey is a key ingredient in the production of a wide variety of specialty cheeses.
The lactose content of whey is higher than that of cottage cheese made from curdled milk.
This isn’t the kind of food you want to give your cat all day.
Types of Cheese to Feed Your Cat
Some types of cheese may be preferable to others if you absolutely must add cheese to your cat’s food.
Cottage cheese, for example, is available in non-dairy and low-fat forms for those who have lactose intolerance.
These cheeses have had the lactose removed and the proper enzymes added so that they can be easily digested by those with lactose intolerance.
The salt and fat in the cheese could still cause problems for your cat, so be careful with how much you give him or her. There are many other kinds of cheese besides cottage cheese.
1. Cheddar
For those who have lactose intolerance, Cheddar is one of the most accessible cheese options.
This cheese has a moderate degree of hardness and is low in lactose. Although the amount of lactose in the cheese is low, it can still cause stomach upset if given in excess.
2. Swiss
Swiss cheese, like Cheddar, is generally thought to be safe for human consumption due to its lack of lactose, sodium, and fat while being relatively high in protein. Surely you’ve encountered this cheese on a sandwich.
Swiss cheese is fine for your cat, but only in small doses.
Types of Cheese to Avoid
Mozzarella
Cats shouldn’t eat any kind of soft cheese, especially Mozzarella, in any form. Your cat must have tried Mozzarella if it enjoys pizza. The excessive lactose content of this cheese makes it potentially harmful to one’s health.
Brie
Brie, like feta, is a raw-milk soft cheese. Unfortunately, milk can harbor harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria, which can cause vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.
Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is made with Penicillium, a type of culture mold. Humans and felines alike are in danger from this mold.
Can Kittens Eat Cottage Cheese?
Because kittens also consume their mother’s milk, you might assume that cheese is safe for them to eat. Kittens can naturally digest and absorb milk because they produce a small amount of lactase enzymes.
However, once a kitten begins weaning, its enzyme production naturally declines.
As soon as it begins to adjust to solid cat food, the kitten loses its ability to digest dairy products. Therefore, you should probably stop selling cottage cheese and other forms of dairy.
In addition, kittens have specific dietary needs, and meeting those demands is crucial for the animals’ healthy growth and development.
Feeding it cottage cheese or another type of cheese could weaken its already fragile intestines and lead to digestive issues like loose poop.
Summary
Cats are naturally inquisitive, so it’s not surprising that they might discover cheese or other lactose-containing foods. Cottage cheese isn’t necessarily bad for your cat, but you should think about what it needs to eat before giving it any.
In conclusion, cats can enjoy cottage cheese as a treat, but if they are lactose intolerant, regular cheese could put their health at risk.