Can Cats Eat Cream Cheese? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Vet approved

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Ashley Darby

Veterinarian, BVSc

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Even though cats are obligate carnivores and require a protein-rich diet, there may be times when your feline companion begs for a morsel of human food. As a cat owner, you’re no stranger to your kitty staring at you when eating something that piques their interest, such as cream cheese, but should you let your kitty try it? While cream isn’t toxic, it’s still not ideal to feed your cat due to potential gastrointestinal upset.

Read on to learn the possible adverse effects of cream cheese in cats, along with tips for a healthy diet and human foods to avoid for your feline comrade.

Why Should I Not Feed My Cat Cream Cheese?

So, we know cream cheese is not toxic to cats, but that doesn’t mean your kitty won’t suffer ill effects after eating it. Cream cheese is made with milk and has high fat content, both of which can make cats sick with vomiting and diarrhea. Many cats are lactose intolerant, and despite the common myth that cats love milk, lactose is not something you should feed your cat.

What Kind of Cheese Can Cats Eat?

Cheese is not toxic to cats, but keep in mind some cats handle lactose better than others. As a general rule, you shouldn’t feed your cat any kind of cheese. It doesn’t provide any health benefits and cats, as obligate carnivores, should have their nutritional requirements met by commercial cat food for the most part.

Why Can Cats Not Have Lactose?

There’s no secret that kittens nurse from their mother’s milk, so why can’t they have milk after they’ve been weaned? As kittens mature into adults, many lose the digestive enzyme called lactase, which breaks down lactose. The result is possibly an upset tummy if consumed.

Adult cats also don’t have the high calorie requirements that kittens do, and drinking milk can cause obesity, which can then lead to diabetes and joint problems. In short, even if your cat can digest lactose, you should still refrain from giving anything with lactose, including cream cheese.

Tips for a Healthy Feline Diet 

As mentioned, cats are obligate carnivores and require a nutritious, balanced diet with plenty of high-quality meat. A cat’s daily diet should also consist of moderate fat content and a low amount of carbohydrates. Their diet should also contain the necessary vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids for optimum health.

How to Choose a Cat Food

Some cat parents may become confused with the many choices available on the market today. With commercial cat food, you have the choice of dry kibble, semi-moist food, and canned food. Regardless of the consistency, ensure the food is approved by AAFCO and is indeed complete and balanced.

Dry Food

Dry food is more affordable and allows for convenient feeding. It’s typically coated with animal fat to make it more appetizing, and it contains little water content, usually only 6 to 10%. It’s a good idea to store dry food in an airtight container to seal its freshness and maintain flavor.

Semi-Moist Food

This type of food contains approximately 35% water, which makes it a suitable choice for hydration. Semi-moist food is more palatable than dry kibble, and the cost lands in the mid-range level. However, once opened, the food can spoil and dry out, at which time you’ll need to discard it.

Canned Food  

All cat owners know it can sometimes be a challenge getting a cat to drink, and if your kitty rarely has a craving for water, you can feed canned food. Canned food contains roughly 75% of water, and it’s an excellent way to hydrate your kitty. Canned food is usually a hit with most cats and is highly palatable, which makes it a great choice for the picky eater.

Before feeding canned food exclusively, consult your veterinarian to ensure the canned food is 100% complete and balanced, as you may need to provide a bit of dry kibble for complete nutrition. Canned food is also more expensive than dry kibble, and it needs to be refrigerated once opened.

Human Foods to Avoid Giving Your Cat

Regarding human food, there are certain foods that are downright toxic to cats.

Summary

While cream cheese isn’t toxic to cats, they still shouldn’t eat it. Even if your cat can digest a little lactose, the calorie content in cream cheese can cause your kitty to become obese if fed cream cheese regularly. However, if your cat can handle it, feeding cream cheese here and there in tiny amounts will not hurt your kitty. Still, sticking to cat treats and feeding a complete and balanced cat food is the best choice.

See also: 

• Can Cats Eat Cottage Cheese? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ
• Can Cats Eat Cheese Puffs? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock