Can cats eat Cheese?
Caution. A tiny amount of mild cheese is usually tolerated, but cheese is high in fat and salt and many cats are lactose intolerant.
Key facts
- Verdict: Caution — some risk involved. See the detail below before giving cheese to your cat.
- Category: Dairy
If your cat has eaten cheese
- No emergency action for small amounts of mild cheese.
- For large amounts, or any blue cheese, call your vet for advice.
- Monitor for vomiting, diarrhoea, or tremors.
What's the full picture?
Small pieces of mild cheese (cheddar, mozzarella) are commonly used to hide medication or as a high-value training treat. Occasional tiny amounts are unlikely to cause harm to a healthy adult cat.
Larger quantities or strong cheeses (blue cheese, very mature cheddar, stilton) can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, or in cats prone to pancreatitis, a flare-up. Blue cheese is particularly risky because some contain fungal toxins called roquefortines that can cause tremors.
Cream cheese with herbs (Boursin, chive cream cheese) is an allium risk — avoid entirely.
Safer alternatives
- Freeze-dried meat cat treats for pill-hiding
- Pill pockets designed for cats
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Questions owners ask
Is cheese a good treat for cats?
Occasional tiny amounts are fine for most cats, but it's not a great treat — high in salt, fat, and lactose. Better options are freeze-dried meat treats or small pieces of plain cooked chicken.
My cat ate blue cheese. What now?
Call your vet. Blue cheese can contain roquefortine mycotoxins that cause tremors and neurological signs. Even a small amount warrants advice.
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Recommended for cat owners
Related
Sources referenced for this guidance
- Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) — UK clinical toxicology reference used by vets
- International Cat Care — feline-specific clinical guidance
- BSAVA — British Small Animal Veterinary Association reference materials
- Merck Veterinary Manual — professional veterinary reference
About this guidance
Every entry on this site is compiled from published UK veterinary toxicology sources — International Cat Care, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) references, RCVS-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.
This is general information written for UK cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.
Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.
Last reviewed: · By the What Can My Cat Eat? editorial team