Whenever it comes to cheese, cats seem to possess a special instinct. They won't waste any time attempting to get their hands on the delectable dairy cube, whether it's in the owner's hand, on the dining table, or on the kitchen countertop. Can cats eat cheese, though?
Have you noticed that every time the cheese is taken out of the refrigerator, your cat pays you closer attention than usual? Your cat is begging for a place at the table or a piece of that delicious block of dairy you've got in your hand by giving you that unmistakable glare. But is cheese safe for cats to eat on a regular basis? Or is cheese truly harmful to cats? Read on to learn what you can do if your pet continues to request a fair amount of cheesecake treats from you.
Is it okay for cats to consume cheese?
Have you noticed that every time the cheese is taken out of the refrigerator, your cat pays you closer attention than usual? Your cat is begging for a place at the table or a piece of that delicious block of dairy you've got in your hand by giving you that unmistakable glare. But is cheese safe for cats to eat on a regular basis? Or is cheese truly harmful to cats? Read on to learn what you can do if your pet continues to request a fair amount of cheesecake treats from you.
Is it okay for cats to consume cheese?
As obligate carnivores, cats must consume animal protein to meet all of their nutritional needs. But that does not imply that they just consume meat. In reality, a study found that domestic cats consume only 12% of their daily calories from carbohydrates, 52% of their daily calories from protein, and 36% of their daily calories from fat. Evidently, they consume foods other than meat. But does that imply that they can and ought to consume cheese?
The milk glucose lactose is present in cheese, as it is in all dairy products. Since kittens rely on their mother's milk for the first few months of their lives, they are born with the enzymes needed to digest these sugars. As they wean themselves off of their mother's milk, their ability to produce lactulose, the enzyme required to break down lactose, starts to decline. In fact, most kittens stop making it entirely by the time they reach their first birthday. Therefore, the majority of adult cats are unable to digest lactose.
If an adult cat eats something that contains lactose, the lactose ferments in its intestinal tract rather than being digested. Both bloating and flatulence may result from this. Additionally, diarrhea is brought on when water is pulled into the intestines rather than out.
It's critical to understand that a cat's digestive system does not react to dairy in the same way as it does to a true food allergen. The physiological reaction in a cat to consuming a food to which they are allergic is immunologically mediated. When a cat consumes dairy, they experience GI distress, not due to an allergy to it but because they are unable to process it.
Why is cheese good for cats?
Although cheese is a wonderful treat for cats, does it have any health advantages? No, in the response. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they get the majority of their nutrition from meat. Felines have a small digestive tract that effectively breaks down animal protein, but they are unable to benefit greatly from plant or dairy foods in terms of nutrients. Although cheese is a good source of protein, cats don't need that kind of protein.
Dairy items might also irritate your stomach because most cats are lactose intolerant. It's a fallacy that milk is beneficial for cats, and if Garfield were real, all that lasagna would have made him sick. When kittens become weaned, the lactase enzyme, which breaks down the lactose sugar found in milk and other dairy products, stops being produced in their bodies. Dairy is better tolerated by some cats than others. If your cat has a lactose intolerance, cheese and other dairy items will cause diarrhea within 8 to 12 hours.
Although cheese has little or no nutritional value for cats, there are a few advantages to occasionally giving it to your pet.
1: A sweetener with few carbohydrates
Cheese can be given occasionally as a low-carb snack to cats, as they rarely need to eat carbohydrates.
2: A valuable reward
Since many cats enjoy cheese, it can be used as a premium training reward. Just make sure that you break it into bite-sized pieces to prevent them from becoming overly filled with the delicious dairy.
3: Aids in the medication's absorption
Cats can be picky, and the majority of them dislike taking their medication. Many cat parents wrap medications in cheese to make them easier to deliver.
Can I feed my cat cheese in excess?
Give your cat just a tiny amount of cheese to start, just like with any fresh human food, and observe how they respond. You can occasionally give your feline companion a little cube reminiscent of a diet if it doesn't bother their stomach. If necessary, chop it up into manageable bits for them to chew and swallow. You can add some cheese to your pet's food to entice them to eat if they are a finicky eater.
The amount of goodies your cat consumes each day should not exceed 10%, but since cheese contains a lot of fat or sodium, you can reduce that to 5%. Additionally, cheese has a lot of calories, so even a tiny serving might provide your cat with all the calories she needs for the day.
If your cat can take cheese, they shouldn't be given it frequently and only in small amounts. A diet high in cheese can cause weight gain, obesity, and gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, and flatulence.
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