Can you Share Your Favorite Cheese With Your Pet?

Since pets are part of the family, it makes sense that you will want to share part of whatever you are eating with them. To keep your pets safe, however, you need to make sure that the food you plan on sharing with them is safe to eat. When it comes to cheese, some pets can share your treat while others are best kept away from it.

Sharing With Your Cat

If you have a cat, you probably don’t want to give them some of your cheese. This is in no way a natural part of their diet as the animals are carnivores and don’t need cheese’s nutrients. Since their dry food is packed with protein already, they don’t need the added protein found in cheese. To make matters worse, the cream and milk in it may upset your cat’s stomach. Some cats will still be able to eat very small quantities of cheese without a problem, although they may or may not actually enjoy it. Most cats, however, are lactose intolerant. This means that if they eat cheese, they are likely to have diarrhea, throw up, or face other consequences. Additionally, eating cheese too much will cause your feline to gain weight because of the sodium and fat content. The only time your vet may suggest giving your cat some cheese is if it helps convince him to take medicine and he isn’t lactose intolerant.

Sharing With Your Dog

While your dog doesn’t need cheese either, he will be better equipped to enjoy it than your cat, although still in small quantities. Keep in mind that not every dog will digest cheese well either and you need to stay away from ones with food items or herbs in them as well as rich, fatty cheeses. The first time you give your dog a bite of cheese, watch him carefully to make sure there isn’t a reaction. If you do want to share cheese with your dog, try to opt for ones with lower fat like cottage cheese or mozzarella as well as cheese with less sodium.

Sharing With Your Mice, Rats, Or Rabbits

Despite what you are probably thinking, you shouldn’t really be giving your pet mouse or rat some of your cheese. They simply don’t need any of the nutrients in this food and it is a stereotype that they love it. Buying a well-balanced pet food is a better choice. If you feel like you need to give your mouse or rat a human-food treat, stick to apples, cucumbers, peas, bananas, or something else mouse-friendly. Don’t give them more than a teaspoon or do it more than a handful of times every week. You also shouldn’t give cheese to rabbits as their digestive system can’t handle dairy.