Whether you adore it or despise it, there’s no denying that goat cheese is the top cat food on the market. Your feline friend is so hungry that the mere crinkling of the wrapper sends her racing into the kitchen. Is it true that cats can’t stomach goat cheese?
You know in your heart that if given the chance, your furry friend would do anything to bury its face in a bowl of goat cheese, goat milk, or even cow milk. But then her stomach starts making those demonic noises, and it’s clear she’s sending you mixed signals.
You feel compelled to turn to Google in the hopes of gaining some insight. Is goat cheese safe for felines? Is it safe for cats to drink goat’s milk? Is there any other kind of dairy they can have besides that?
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) assures us that goat cheese is perfectly safe for feline consumption. However, before you and your furry pal put on your celebratory garb…
It is still not recommended that you feed goat cheese to your cat. The occasional nibble probably won’t harm you too much. However, your canine companion may feel the need to use the restroom quickly after consuming a large amount of cheese.
Cats have a complicated relationship with their preferred cheese. Before making any major dietary changes to your cat, consider the following.
Can Cats Eat Goat Cheese?
Goat cheese is safe for cats to eat, but they don’t require it. Due to its high fat and calorie content, goat cheese should be given to cats sparingly. Cats can benefit from the high protein and calcium content.
Goat cheese and It’s Origin
A cheese made from goat’s milk is called goat cheese. The flavor is mild and slightly tangy, and the cheese is soft. When compared to other cheeses, goat cheese has fewer calories and fat and is a good source of protein and calcium.
The Middle Eastern region is the birthplace of goat cheese, which has been produced for millennia. The United States and Europe have seen a rise in its popularity in recent years.
Goat cheese can be made in many different ways and is versatile in the kitchen. It’s a common condiment for sandwiches and wraps, as well as a spread for toast or crackers.
It’s also great on pizza, pasta, and soup. Goat cheese’s plethora of uses means it can be incorporated into a wide variety of recipes.
Goat cheese benefits
To answer your original question, yes, goat cheese is safe for cats to eat on occasion. It’s safe to give your pet a small amount of cheese on occasion without worrying about any negative reactions.
However, if you must eat cheese, goat cheese (or non-dairy cheese) may be your best bet due to its low lactose content. It’s healthier for your furry friend and has lots of useful nutrients.
You can feel good about giving your cat this tasty snack because it’s loaded with nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and good fats.
Vitamin A, for instance, is a powerful antioxidant that will help your cat fight off a wide variety of illnesses. Your cat’s brain, nervous system, and digestive tract all need vitamin B for optimal health.
The health of your cat’s bones, teeth, muscles, and pretty much every other organ can be bolstered by a diet rich in minerals like calcium, phosphorus, copper, and iron.
Protein is also essential because it is the primary source of fuel for your cat. Unlike the livers of other animals, your cat’s liver never rests from keeping blood sugar levels stable and converting protein into energy.
You can reward your cat’s mischievousness with a paw-sized nibble of goat cheese if she spends most of her day running around and crashing everything in her way.
When you consider the potential health benefits to your cat, this tasty treat doesn’t sound so bad, does it? But… But, when discussing human food for your cat, there is always a but.
Goat cheese risks
Although the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has given its stamp of approval to goat cheese, this does not mean that it is necessarily healthy. If you just toss it into your cat’s diet, it could cause stomach issues. Let’s back up and begin at square one.
Most mature cats are lactose intolerant and shouldn’t consume dairy products, including milk.
There is a lot of fat and lactose in goat milk and goat cheese. Because of this, they pose a significant threat over time.
However, kittens don’t have a problem digesting lactose. A piece of goat cheese they found on the floor now has a much better chance of being digested.
Is it safe to give goat cheese to a kitten then? The milk from her mother is still the best option.
Unfortunately, giving your cat cheese can cause stomach problems like vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
And if you don’t deal with these issues in a timely manner, she may end up with compromised immunity.
Due to the high amount of fat in goat cheese, your cat may experience rapid weight gain. While it may seem cute to have a chubby cat, obesity in cats is associated with a number of health issues.
Your inquisitive animal probably won’t get sick from eating a little bit of cheese. However, to err on the side of caution, you should limit your intake of dairy products.
Can Kittens Eat Goat Cheese?
Yes, in a word! Goat cheese is safe for kittens to eat. I don’t get why you’d want them to, but if that’s your thing, go for it. Kittens should have no trouble appreciating goat cheese in the same way that they would any other kind of cheese-loving feline.
To keep them from getting bored, provide a selection of cheeses, and remember that moderation is the key. Even something as harmless as goat cheese can become dangerous if consumed in excess.
So give it to your kittens and watch to see if they start eating it. Perhaps you’ll be pleasantly surprised by them.
What about other types of cheese?
Get your four-legged pal comfy and ready to say “Cheese!” because we’re about to enter a world of cheese unlike any you’ve ever experienced.
As we’ve already established, goat cheese has the lowest lactose content of any cheese. This makes it somewhat safer for your cat’s digestive system, though you should still look into other options just in case.
Since every cat is unique, there is no universal response to a dish of savory cheese treats for paw licking. Call your vet and see if any of these options are safe for your pet to try.
The lactose content of soft cheeses like cottage cheese, cream cheese, feta cheese, blue cheese, and mozzarella may be too high for your pet to handle.
Also, many types of soft cheese are produced using raw milk, which may contain bacteria that your cat’s stomach can’t handle.
It’s possible that some of them, like blue cheese, contain mold that is delicious to humans but toxic to cats.
It’s possible that your furry friend could tolerate smaller amounts of lactose in hard cheeses like parmesan, swiss, cheddar cheese, and string cheese.
If you keep them out of her regular diet, you shouldn’t have to worry about them. Before making any drastic changes to your cat’s diet, it’s best to talk to your vet.
You shouldn’t worry about giving your cat some goat cheese (or any other kind of cheese) on occasion. However, it’s far preferable to err on the side of caution.
This means that moderate consumption of goat cheese is fine for cats.
How Much Goat Cheese Can Cats Eat?
Now that we know that cats can benefit nutritionally from eating goat cheese, let’s examine the maximum amount that they can safely consume. Goat cheese is fine for cats to eat in moderation, but that goes for any food. How much food should I give my cat? I’ll tell you.
First, kittens: in my experience, they are always hungry. However, you should test your kitten’s reaction to small amounts of goat cheese first. I prefer to give my kittens 1 to 2 tablespoons per day.
Two to four tablespoons per day is a good starting point for adult cats. If your cat does well on this amount, you can increase its food intake over time.
Thirdly, if your cat has any preexisting health conditions, you should talk to your vet before giving them goat cheese.
If your cat is overweight, you may want to reduce the amounts of goat cheese I recommend above. If you need advice from a veterinarian, please see one.
Goat Cheese is a Treat or Part of Their Regular Diet?
Goat cheese is a delicacy in the United States and Europe. As a result, it is more common to give cats this as a treat than as a regular part of their diet.
Cats can enjoy goat cheese either as a special treat or as a regular part of their diet. I would advise moderation if you decide to give it to your cat as a treat.
Goat cheese is a tasty treat, but like any other treat, it shouldn’t account for more than 10 percent of your cat’s daily caloric intake. Your cat should consume no more than 20% of its daily caloric intake in treats.
How to Feed Goat Cheese to Cats?
How much goat cheese is safe for cats to eat? Now that we know that, let’s take a look at how to give it to them.
1. Give them a small amount
When introducing a new food to your cat, it’s best to give them a very small amount at first. This will allow you to gauge their appetite and gradually increase their meal size.
2. Mix it with their regular food
To test your cat’s tolerance for goat cheese, try incorporating a small amount into their regular meal. This will allow them to become accustomed to the cheese’s flavor and texture.
3. Add it to their favorite foods
Goat cheese is a great addition to canned tuna or chicken, two of your cat’s favorite foods. This will make the cheese more tempting, which could speed up their adaptation process.
4. Feed it as a treat
Cats will also enjoy the treat of goat cheese. If you do this, I suggest chopping it up into smaller pieces so your cat doesn’t gorge itself.
5. Store it properly
Refrigeration is required for goat cheese. It can be kept in an airtight container or the original packaging. The shelf life of goat cheese in the fridge is about 2 weeks.
The Summary
Cats can benefit from eating goat cheese either as a special treat or as a regular part of their diet. It’s a healthy option because it’s low in calories and fat and high in protein and calcium.
It’s best to ease your cat into eating goat cheese by giving it a small amount at first. Put the cheese in the fridge if you want to keep it fresh.