Can Cats Eat Cheese?

Updated 18 October 2026 · Researched against PDSA, Cats Protection and International Cat Care guidance

Cats are obligate carnivores: their bodies are built for meat, and dairy has no nutritional role for them. Most adult cats stop producing enough lactase — the enzyme that digests lactose — after weaning, so cheese can cause loose stools, wind and stomach discomfort even when the cat enjoys eating it.

Cheese is also salty and fatty. A cat that regularly eats cheese takes on extra salt and calories it does not need, which matters for cats prone to weight gain, pancreatitis or heart disease. Some cats tolerate a small piece without any problem; others react every time. The safe assumption is that it is a treat, not a food.

What to watch for in the UK

• Hard cheeses such as cheddar and Red Leicester are salty — one small cube is plenty.
• Soft and blue cheeses are higher in fat and salt and are best avoided entirely.
• Check the flavour: cheese and onion, chive or ham varieties contain alliums, which are toxic to cats.
• Lactose-free cheese and small amounts of plain cottage cheese are gentler, but still not food.

If your cat has already eaten it

1. A small piece: nothing to do. Watch the litter tray for loose stools over the next day.
2. A large amount: offer water freely and watch for vomiting or diarrhoea. Phone your vet if either continues for more than 24 hours, or if your cat stops eating.

Out of hours, use your practice's emergency number. If you can, take the packaging with you — the ingredient list often tells the vet more than the description does. This page explains risk; it cannot diagnose your cat, and it deliberately contains no doses or home treatments.

If your cat is already vomiting, see the cat vomiting guide. For the wider red-flag checklist, use sick cat symptoms. If a plant rather than a food is involved, the toxic plants checklist is the right page.

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