Can Cats Eat Cheese? What's Safe, What to Avoid & How Much Is Too Much

Cats and cheese - it feels like a natural combination. Cheese is a staple of most UK households, cats are notoriously curious about whatever you are eating, and cheese has a strong smell that tends to attract them. But is cheese actually safe for cats to eat?

The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no - and it depends on the type of cheese, how much is offered, and your individual cat. Here is everything you need to know.

Can Cats Eat Cheese?

The short answer is: yes, in very small amounts, most cheese is not toxic to cats. However, cheese is not a natural part of a cat's diet, and most adult cats have some degree of lactose intolerance - which means that even non-toxic cheese can cause digestive problems if offered too regularly or in large amounts.

Cats are obligate carnivores. Their digestive systems are designed to process meat, not dairy. After weaning, most cats lose significant amounts of lactase - the enzyme needed to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products. The result is that dairy can cause digestive upset in many cats, even if it does not make them seriously ill.

The key distinction is: cheese is not toxic for cats in the way that chocolate or onions are - but it is not good for them either, and it should never be a regular part of their diet.

Why Do Cats Like Cheese?

Cats are drawn to cheese primarily because of its high fat and protein content, and its strong, distinctive smell. Cats have far fewer taste receptors than humans and cannot detect sweetness at all - so it is the fat, salt, and protein in cheese that attracts them, not the flavour in the way we might experience it.

Can Cats Eat Cheddar Cheese?

Cheddar is one of the better cheese options for cats, if you are going to offer any at all. Hard cheeses like cheddar contain significantly less lactose than soft cheeses and milk - which means they are generally better tolerated by lactose-intolerant cats. A very small piece of cheddar - the size of a fingernail - as an occasional treat is unlikely to cause harm in most adult cats.

That said, cheddar is high in fat and salt. Regular feeding can contribute to obesity and, in the long term, kidney strain - particularly in older cats. Offer sparingly and observe whether your cat shows any digestive reaction.

Can Cats Eat Cottage Cheese?

Cottage cheese is lower in fat than hard cheeses and relatively high in protein - which makes it seem like a reasonable option. However, it is higher in lactose than hard cheeses, which makes it more likely to cause digestive upset. Some cats tolerate it well; others will develop diarrhoea or vomiting after eating it.

A very small amount offered occasionally is unlikely to be harmful, but cottage cheese is not a food worth deliberately adding to your cat's diet. If they show any digestive reaction, avoid it entirely. For more on digestive issues in cats, read our guide on cat diarrhoea and when to see a vet.

Can Cats Eat Mozzarella?

Mozzarella is a soft, fresh cheese with a higher lactose content than aged hard cheeses - which makes it more likely to cause digestive issues in lactose-intolerant cats. It is also high in moisture and relatively bland, which means most cats show less interest in it than in stronger-smelling hard cheeses.

A tiny piece occasionally is not toxic, but mozzarella offers nothing of nutritional value to cats and is best avoided.

Can Cats Eat Cream Cheese?

Cream cheese is high in fat and has a relatively high lactose content - which makes it one of the less suitable cheese options for cats. The soft, spreadable texture also makes it easy to accidentally give too much. If your cat has licked a small amount of cream cheese from your plate, they will very likely be fine. But deliberately offering cream cheese as a treat is not recommended.

Can Cats Eat Feta Cheese?

Feta is particularly high in salt - significantly higher than most other cheeses. Excessive salt intake can cause increased thirst, urination, and in larger amounts, sodium poisoning in cats. While a tiny amount of feta is not an emergency, it is one of the cheeses most worth avoiding for cats. The high salt content makes it a poor choice even as an occasional treat.

Can Cats Eat Blue Cheese?

Blue cheese contains cultures of Penicillium mould, which is responsible for its distinctive flavour. These moulds can produce roquefortine C - a compound that can be toxic to cats and dogs in sufficient quantities. The risk from a tiny amount is low, but blue cheese is one of the types most worth keeping away from cats entirely. It is not worth the risk when safer treat options exist.

Can Cats Eat Cheese Strings?

Cheese strings are processed cheese products that contain various additives alongside the dairy content. The additives, preservatives, and higher salt content make them a poor choice for cats. The string texture can also be a choking risk for some cats. Avoid offering cheese strings to cats.

Can Cats Eat Goats Cheese?

Goats cheese has slightly different protein structures to cows milk cheese, and some cats that react to cows milk dairy tolerate goats cheese better. However, it is still a dairy product with lactose content, and is not a necessary or particularly beneficial addition to a cat's diet. A very small amount is unlikely to cause harm but offers no meaningful benefit.

How Much Cheese Can Cats Eat?

If you are going to offer cheese at all, the golden rule is: tiny amounts, infrequently. A piece no larger than a fingernail, offered no more than once or twice a week, is a reasonable upper limit for cats that tolerate dairy without digestive issues.

Treats of any kind - including cheese - should make up no more than 10% of your cat's total daily calorie intake. For a typical adult cat eating around 200-250 calories per day, that is 20-25 calories from treats. A small cube of cheddar is approximately 15-20 calories - which is already approaching the daily treat limit.

Signs Your Cat is Lactose Intolerant

Not all cats react to dairy in the same way. Signs that your cat may be lactose intolerant and is not tolerating cheese well include:

• Diarrhoea or loose stools within a few hours of eating dairy
• Vomiting after eating cheese
• Bloating or visible stomach discomfort
• Flatulence
• Reduced appetite after eating dairy

If your cat shows any of these signs after eating cheese, avoid giving them any dairy products in future. For guidance on vomiting and digestive upset in cats, read our guide on why cats vomit and when to see a vet. If your cat develops diarrhoea after eating cheese, see our complete guide on cat diarrhoea, causes and treatment.

Can Kittens Eat Cheese?

Kittens should not be given cheese or any dairy products other than their mother's milk or appropriate kitten milk replacement formula. Young kittens are weaned onto solid food - not dairy - and introducing cheese early can cause digestive issues and establish poor dietary habits. Stick to kitten-appropriate food and treats.

Is Cheese Ever Useful for Cats?

One practical situation where cheese is sometimes used for cats is disguising medication. A tiny piece of soft cheese wrapped around a pill can make medication easier to administer for cats that resist tablets. In this context, the small amount involved is unlikely to cause harm and the benefit of successful medication generally outweighs the minor dietary compromise.

Always check with your vet that the medication can be given with food before using this method, as some medications should be given on an empty stomach.

What to Feed Your Cat Instead

If you want to offer your cat a treat, there are far better options than cheese. Plain cooked chicken, a small piece of cooked salmon, or a tiny amount of tuna in spring water are all high in protein, naturally appealing to cats, and far better suited to their digestive system than dairy.

For a full guide to what cats can and cannot eat safely, read our comprehensive guide on what cats cannot eat. For guidance on how much to feed your cat overall, read our cat feeding guide by weight and life stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can cats eat cheese?

Yes - small amounts of most cheeses are not toxic to cats. However, most adult cats are lactose intolerant to some degree, which means cheese can cause digestive upset. Hard cheeses like cheddar are better tolerated than soft cheeses. Offer only tiny amounts occasionally and avoid blue cheese entirely.

What happens if a cat eats cheese?

Most cats that eat a small amount of cheese will be fine. Some will experience mild digestive upset - loose stools, vomiting, or flatulence - particularly if they are lactose intolerant. If your cat regularly reacts to dairy, avoid giving them cheese in future. Contact your vet if symptoms persist or seem severe.

Is cheddar cheese safe for cats?

Cheddar is one of the safer cheese options for cats as it is a hard cheese with lower lactose content than soft cheeses. A very small piece as an occasional treat is unlikely to cause harm in most cats. Avoid offering it regularly due to its high fat and salt content.

Can cats eat cottage cheese?

Small amounts of plain cottage cheese are not toxic to cats, but its higher lactose content compared to hard cheeses makes it more likely to cause digestive upset. It offers no nutritional benefit to cats and is best avoided.

Can cats have blue cheese?

Blue cheese is best avoided for cats. It contains Penicillium mould cultures that can produce compounds toxic to cats in sufficient quantities. The risk from a tiny amount is low, but safer treat options exist and blue cheese is not worth offering.

Why does my cat love cheese?

Cats are attracted to the high fat and protein content of cheese, and its strong distinctive smell. Despite not being able to taste sweetness, cats are highly sensitive to fat and protein - which is why cheese appeals to them even though it is not a natural part of their diet.

Can I use cheese to give my cat medication?

A tiny piece of soft cheese wrapped around a tablet is a commonly used method for medicating cats that resist pills. The small amount involved is unlikely to cause significant harm. Always check with your vet that the medication can be given with food before using this approach.