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🐱
Dairy
Can Cats Eat Cheese?
check_circleSmall amounts for most pets
verified_userReviewed by Clawmate Vet Team•Updated January 2026
Quick Answer
Tiny amounts of cheese are usually safe, but many pets are lactose intolerant.
🐱Specifically for Cats
Cats can have tiny cheese bits, but most are lactose intolerant. Use sparingly.
The Full Story
Hard cheeses are lower in lactose and often tolerated by pets in small amounts. Cheese can be useful for hiding pills. However, cheese is high in fat and can cause pancreatitis if overfed. Some pets are quite sensitive to dairy — test with small amounts first.
✓ Safety Tips
- checkHard cheese has less lactose
- checkHigh in fat - use sparingly
- checkGreat for hiding pills
- checkWatch for digestive upset
restaurantRecommended Serving for Cats
Pea-sized amount as occasional treat or for hiding medication
Nutritional Benefits
ProteinCalcium
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cats eat cheese?▼
Small amounts for most pets. Tiny amounts of cheese are usually safe, but many pets are lactose intolerant. Cats can have tiny cheese bits, but most are lactose intolerant. Use sparingly.
Is cheese safe for cats?▼
Hard cheeses are lower in lactose and often tolerated by pets in small amounts. Cheese can be useful for hiding pills. However, cheese is high in fat and can cause pancreatitis if overfed. Some pets are quite sensitive to dairy — test with small amounts first.
How much cheese can I give my cat?▼
Pea-sized amount as occasional treat or for hiding medication
What are the health benefits of cheese for cats?▼
Cheese provides: Protein, Calcium. Hard cheeses are lower in lactose and often tolerated by pets in small amounts. Cheese can be useful for hiding pills. However, cheese is high in fat and can cause pancreatitis if overfed. Some pets are quite sensitive to dairy — test with small amounts first.