Can Cats Eat Cheese? Short answer: Small amounts of hard, low-lactose cheese (cheddar, Swiss) are not toxic to most cats, but cheese is NOT recommended due to lactose intolerance, high fat, and high sodium.
Cheese is not toxic to cats. However, most adult cats are lactose intolerant — they lack the enzyme lactase to break down milk sugar (lactose). Cheese has less lactose than milk, but it can still cause vomiting, diarrhea, and gas.
The main concerns: lactose intolerance (digestive upset), high fat (pancreatitis risk — #1 trigger), high sodium (salt poisoning risk), and additives (onion, garlic, chives — toxic to cats).
I’m Dr. Allona Jackson, DVM. In this guide, I’ll explain which cheeses are safer (hard, low-lactose), which are dangerous (soft, blue, seasoned), and much healthier alternatives.
For a complete list of safe and toxic foods, see our Cat Food Safety Guide — your pillar resource for everything your cat can and cannot eat.
Dr. Jackson’s note:“Cheese is one of those foods people love to give cats because cats seem to love it. But most cats are lactose intolerant. That ‘treat’ may cause hours of vomiting and diarrhea. And the fat content can trigger pancreatitis. There are better ways to show your cat love.”
The Lactose Intolerance Problem
Fact
Detail
What is lactose intolerance?
Lack of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose (milk sugar)
When do cats become lactose intolerant?
Most cats lose lactase production after weaning (8-12 weeks old)
Cheese has less lactose than milk (especially hard, aged cheeses). Fermentation breaks down some lactose.
Lactose content in different cheeses (per 100g)
Cheese type
Lactose content
Risk for cats
Hard cheeses (cheddar, Swiss, parmesan, gouda)
0.1-1g
Lower risk
Semi-hard (provolone, edam)
1-2g
Low-moderate risk
Soft cheeses (mozzarella, brie, camembert)
2-4g
Moderate risk
Cottage cheese
3-4g
Moderate-high risk
Cream cheese
3-4g
Moderate-high risk
Processed cheese (American singles)
5-10g
High risk
Milk
4.8g
High risk
Dr. Jackson’s note:“Even low-lactose hard cheese can cause problems for lactose-intolerant cats. The only way to know if your cat tolerates cheese is to try a tiny piece — but why risk the digestive upset when there are safer treats?”
The Fat Problem — Pancreatitis Risk
Fact
Detail
Fat content of cheese
20-35g fat per 100g (depending on type)
One small cube of cheddar (½ inch)
Approximately 2-3g fat
Cat’s daily fat needs
A 10lb cat needs approximately 5-10g of fat per day TOTAL
One cheese cube
Provides 2-3g fat — up to half a day’s worth
Pancreatitis trigger
High-fat foods are the #1 trigger for pancreatitis in cats
Symptoms of pancreatitis
Vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain (hunched posture), loss of appetite, dehydration, fever, death
The Salt Problem — Sodium Poisoning Risk
Fact
Detail
Sodium content of cheese
500-1500mg sodium per 100g
One small cube of cheddar (½ inch)
Approximately 50-100mg sodium
Cat’s daily sodium needs
A 10lb cat needs approximately 42mg of sodium per day TOTAL
One cheese cube
Provides 1-2x the daily sodium requirement
Salt poisoning symptoms
Excessive thirst, excessive urination, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, death
Types of Cheese — Safety Guide
Cheese type
Safe for cats?
Notes
Cheddar (hard)
⚠️ Caution — not recommended
Lower lactose, but high fat, high sodium. Tiny piece only.
Small amounts of hard, low-lactose cheese (cheddar, Swiss) are not toxic to most cats, but cheese is NOT recommended due to lactose intolerance, high fat, and high sodium.
Can cats eat cheddar cheese?
Tiny piece (pea-sized) of cheddar is not toxic, but not recommended.
Can cats eat Swiss cheese?
Same as cheddar.
Can cats eat mozzarella?
Not recommended — higher lactose, higher moisture → diarrhea risk.
Can cats eat cottage cheese?
No — high lactose, causes diarrhea.
Can cats eat cream cheese?
No — high fat, high lactose.
Can cats eat blue cheese?
Not recommended — potential mycotoxin risk (tremors, seizures).
Can cats eat cheese with onion or garlic?
No — toxic (hemolytic anemia). Call Pet Poison Helpline.
Are cats lactose intolerant?
Most adult cats (70-90%) are lactose intolerant.
What are the signs of lactose intolerance in cats?
Vomiting, diarrhea, gas, bloating within 2-12 hours of eating dairy.
Can kittens eat cheese?
No — no nutritional benefit, digestive upset risk.
Is cheese good for cats?
No — cats are obligate carnivores. Cheese offers no nutritional value.
Conclusion
Here’s what you need to remember about cats and cheese:
Do ✅
Don’t ❌
Choose hard, low-lactose cheese (cheddar, Swiss) if you must feed
The bottom line: Small amounts of hard, low-lactose cheese (cheddar, Swiss, parmesan, gouda) are not toxic to most cats. A tiny piece (size of a pea) is unlikely to cause serious harm to a healthy, lactose-tolerant cat.
However, cheese is NOT recommended for several reasons: most adult cats (70-90%) are lactose intolerant (vomiting, diarrhea), high fat content (20-35g per 100g → pancreatitis risk), high sodium (500-1500mg per 100g → salt poisoning risk), and blue cheese carries a potential mycotoxin risk.
If your cat has pancreatitis, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, or is overweight: Avoid cheese completely.
Better treats for cats: Plain cooked chicken, plain cooked turkey, plain cooked eggs, or commercial cat treats.
If your cat eats blue cheese or cheese with onion/garlic: Call Pet Poison Helpline immediately: 855-764-7661
Bookmark our Cat Food Safety Guide for all 54 foods — it’s your complete resource for feeding your cat safely.
Your cat depends on you to feed wisely. You’ve got this.
✅ Vet-reviewed by Dr. Allona Jackson, DVM — 2026
📅 Last updated: April 2026
⚠️ Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment of your pet’s specific condition. In an emergency, call your vet or a pet poison helpline immediately.
