Can Cats Eat Cheese? Lactose Intolerance and What's Actually Safe
Cheese is a popular way to sneak a pill into a reluctant cat, and plenty of cats seem genuinely fond of it. Whether that's a good idea depends less on cheese being "toxic," which it generally isn't, and more on something most owners don't think about: adult cats mostly can't digest it properly.
Why most adult cats are lactose intolerant
Kittens produce plenty of lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose in their mother's milk. That production drops off sharply after weaning, and by adulthood most cats make very little lactase at all. Dairy isn't part of a cat's natural adult diet, so there's no evolutionary pressure to keep the enzyme around once nursing ends. A 2019 clinical study in Biosciences Biotechnology Research Asia documented the gastrointestinal changes that show up in cats fed lactose regularly, from mild upset to more significant inflammation with sustained exposure.
When a lactose-intolerant cat eats dairy, the undigested lactose pulls water into the intestines and ferments in the colon, which is what causes the diarrhea and gas some owners notice after giving their cat milk or cheese.
Which cheeses are lower risk
Not all cheese has the same lactose content. Cats Protection notes that hard, aged cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, and Swiss lose most of their lactose during the aging process, which is why a small amount is tolerated by more cats than a splash of milk would be. Soft cheeses and anything fresh retain more lactose and are more likely to cause an upset stomach.
Fat, sodium, and what's mixed into the cheese
Even a low-lactose cheese is still concentrated fat and salt. Catster recommends keeping cheese to well under 10% of a cat's daily calories if it's offered at all, since regular high-fat treats can contribute to weight gain and, in cats prone to it, pancreatitis. Processed cheese products and flavored cheeses are a separate concern: some contain garlic or onion powder, which are genuinely toxic to cats, and blue cheese and other mold-ripened varieties contain compounds that can cause vomiting and tremors. Plain, hard cheese only, and always check the ingredient list on anything flavored.
How much cheese is reasonable?
A pea-sized piece of hard cheese, occasionally, is a reasonable ceiling for a cat that tolerates it without stomach upset. If your cat gets loose stool or gas after cheese, that's your answer for that individual cat, since tolerance genuinely varies from one cat to the next. There's no health benefit to giving a cat cheese regularly, so if in doubt, it's easy to just skip it. If you're using cheese to hide medication, ask your vet about a purpose-made pill pocket instead, which avoids the digestive question entirely.
Frequently asked questions
Can kittens have cheese?
Kittens still produce lactase while nursing, but it's best to stick to kitten formula or their regular food rather than dairy meant for humans, which isn't formulated for their needs.
Is cream cheese worse than cheddar?
Generally yes. Cream cheese is a soft, fresh cheese with more retained lactose and more fat per bite than an aged hard cheese like cheddar or parmesan.
My cat had a small piece of cheese and now has diarrhea. Is that an emergency?
Usually not. Mild, short-lived diarrhea after dairy is a classic lactose intolerance reaction and typically resolves on its own within a day. Call your vet if it persists more than a day or two, or if your cat seems unwell otherwise.
Sources
- Zoetis Petcare, "Are Cats Lactose Intolerant?"
- Biosciences Biotechnology Research Asia, "Clinical and Morphological Manifestations of Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract of Cats with Regular Consumption of Lactose," 16(4) (2019)
- Cats Protection, "Can Cats Eat Cheese?"
- Catster, "Can Cats Eat Cheese? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ"
This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for advice from your own veterinarian, who can evaluate any dietary changes for your specific cat.
