Cats are curious creatures. They have a natural instinct to explore new things and can be easily tempted by the wrong food, which is why so many cat owners worry about what their cats might try to eat if left unattended. Can cats eat Parmesan cheese? Can they eat any other types of cheese? What exactly is Parmesan cheese, anyway? If you’ve been wondering about these questions, then this article should help answer them all!

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that their bodies are designed to digest and use only animal-based proteins. This fact has led many cat owners to wonder if it’s safe to give their feline friends Parmesan cheese as a snack.

In this blog post, I will take a look at the nutritional data for Parmesan cheese and see whether or not it’s a good choice for cats. Spoiler alert: It’s not!

What Exactly Is Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan cheese, also known as Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a hard, dry, and sharp white Italian cheese made from cow’s milk. It has a granular texture and a strong, pungent flavor that makes it a popular ingredient in Italian cuisine.

It’s made by mixing cow’s milk with salt and then fermenting it for at least 12 months before pressing it into blocks or wheels to mature.

Parmesan cheese is used in many dishes, both savory and sweet. It can be grated or shaved into thin pieces and used as a topping or added to dishes during the cooking process. Some of the most popular dishes that include Parmesan cheese are lasagna, spaghetti bolognese, and Caesar salad.

How Is Parmesan Cheese Made?

Parmesan cheese is made from whole milk that is heated and then curdled using rennet. The curds are then cut into small pieces and stirred until they form a thick mass. This mass is placed in molds and pressed to remove the excess moisture. Afterward, the cheese is aged for anywhere from 12 to 36 months, depending on the variety.

The aging process is what gives Parmesan cheese its characteristic flavor and texture. During this time, the cheese is stored in special rooms where the temperature and humidity are carefully controlled.

Can Cats Eat Parmesan Cheese?

Cats should not eat Parmesan cheese. This type of cheese is high in fat and salt, which can be harmful to cats. In fact, a single serving of Parmesan cheese contains more than the daily recommended allowance of sodium for cats!Parmesan cheese also contains high levels of cholesterol, which can be harmful to cats if eaten in large quantities.

Since Parmesan cheese is made from cow’s milk, it contains high levels of lactose. This means that cats, who are unable to digest lactose, can’t eat Parmesan cheese.

In addition to the high level of lactose, Parmesan cheese also contains a significant amount of salt. Too much salt can be harmful to cats and can lead to health problems such as hypertension and renal failure.

Parmesan cheese is also very high in fat. A single serving of Parmesan cheese contains more than the daily recommended allowance of fat for cats! This can lead to weight gain and other health problems if eaten in large quantities.

Parmesan cheese also contains a significant amount of cholesterol, which can be harmful to cats if consumed over time.

The strong flavor of Parmesan cheese may not be appealing to all cats, and some may even be allergic to dairy products. If your cat has consumed excessive amounts of Parmesan cheese, it may experience vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.

All in all, Parmesan cheese is not a good choice for cats and should not be given to them as a snack. There are many other types of food that are better suited to dietary needs.

List Of Side Effects Of Parmesan Cheese On Cats:

  • Vomiting:If your cat has consumed excessive amounts of Parmesan cheese, it may vomit. This is usually the first sign that something is wrong. Vomiting can be caused by a number of things, including allergies, stomach upset, or poisoning. If your cat vomits after eating parmesan cheese, take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
  • Diarrhea:If your cat has consumed Parmesan cheese, it may also experience diarrhea. This is usually caused by an upset stomach and can be treated easily at home if caught early enough. If the problem persists or worsens, take your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment.
  • Constipation:If you notice that your cat isn’t relieving itself in its litter box regularly after consuming Parmesan cheese, it might have constipation. Constipation occurs when waste moves too slowly through the intestines and causes hard stools in the colon and rectum that are difficult to pass.
  • Weight gain:If your cat eats a lot of Parmesan cheese, it may gain weight. This is because parmesan cheese is high in fat and cholesterol. Over time, this can lead to other health problems such as hypertension and renal failure.
  • Renal failure: Parmesan cheese is high in sodium, which can be harmful to cats if consumed in large quantities. Excessive amounts of sodium can lead to renal failure, a serious condition that affects the kidneys.
  • Hypertension: Parmesan cheese is also high in salt, which can lead to hypertension in cats. Hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure becomes too high and can cause damage to the heart, kidneys, and other organs.
  • Pancreatitis:Parmesan cheese is high in fat and cholesterol, which can lead to pancreatitis over time. Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed due to a buildup of digestive enzymes. This causes abdominal pain and swelling, as well as vomiting and diarrhea.

What To Do If Your Cat Has Consumed Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan cheese is not toxic to cats. If your cat has consumed a few pieces by accident, there is no need to panic as it is highly unlikely that it is going to cause any serious side-effects on your cat. If your cat has only consumed a small amount of Parmesan cheese, there may not be anything to worry about as it will likely just pass through their system without any problems.

There are also several things you can do at home to help your pet recover if they have consumed Parmesan cheese . These include:

  • Providing plenty of fluids: Cats who are suffering from diarrhea or vomiting as a result of eating Parmesan cheese will need plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. You can provide water, coconut water , or pedialyte to help keep them hydrated.
  • Administering electrolytes: If your cat has diarrhea or is vomiting, they are also at risk for dehydration and electrolyte deficiency. You can purchase oral rehydration solutions from most pet stores that you mix with water to replace the lost fluids in their bodies. You may have to administer this solution several times a day until your cat recovers fully.
  • Offering a low-sugar diet: To avoid further upsetting your pet’s digestive system and causing more vomiting and diarrhea, it is best to feed them a low sugar and zero-dairy product diet for several days after the incident. Feeding them lean meats like chicken breast will help their bodies recover faster without worsening the condition with high levels of fat or sugar.

When To Take Your Cat To The Veterinarian?

If your cat has consumed excessive Parmesan cheese, take it to the veterinarian for treatment if you notice any of these symptoms:

  • Vomiting that doesn’t stop after eating or drinking
  • Diarrhea that lasts more than a day without a change in diet
  • Constipation lasting longer than three days with other signs such as weight loss, lack of energy, dehydration etc.

What Are The Alternatives To Parmesan Cheese For Cats?

If you want to give your cat a treat , there are several healthier and safer alternatives you can try instead of giving them Parmesan cheese:

  • Cooked white fish  – Can be served on its own as a tasty snack or added into recipes for extra flavor such as tuna casserole .
  • Cooked chicken – Can also be served on its own or with low GI rice.
  • Cottage cheese – Small cubes will provide the calcium that cats need without adding unnecessary salt, fat, cholesterol, or sodium levels, which can lead to health problems over time.
  • Low-fat yogurt – Can be mixed with cat food as a way to add moisture and also increase the probiotic levels in their diet, which helps promote gut health.

Parting Words

Cats are lactose intolerant and the aging process on parmesan cheese will make it hard for them to digest it properly. 

Cats are carnivores and need a diet that is high in protein. This means they should not eat cheese, which is a dairy product with little to no nutritional value for cats. While many people believe that it’s safe for your cat to eat Parmesan cheese, this isn’t the case at all since most cheeses have lactose or milk proteins in them that can be harmful to felines.

In fact, some experts recommend keeping any type of diary product away from your feline friend altogether so as not to trigger allergies or gastrointestinal problems!

I hope this blog post has answered any nutrition related questions you had about whether cats can eat Parmesan cheese or not ! If there is anything else I didn’t cover in detail or if you still have more specific questions on this topic, feel free to reach out with your concerns by clicking the contact button below.


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Meow for now 😉

XoXo

Genie

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