This cat blog will answer the major question, “Can cats eat cottage cheese?” we will also discuss the health benefits of consuming cottage cheese, the health hazards of consuming cottage cheese, and how you can safely give cottage cheese to your cat.
Can cats eat cottage cheese?
Yes, cats can eat cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is healthy for your cat if consumed in small amounts. Cottage cheese has several vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for the growth of cats. Moreover, consuming more than the required amount of cottage cheese can lead to obesity and other problems.
What are the major health benefits of consuming cottage cheese?
Following are the health benefits of consuming cottage cheese for your cat:
B vitamins
Cottage cheese is rich in B vitamins as B vitamins are essential for the health of the nervous system, the digestive system, and the reproductive health of the body. The reproductive health of the cat is important as it is a luxury. If the cat is reproducing normally that means it has all the necessary nutrients to sustain life.
B vitamins are also helpful in converting food into energy which is another benefit of cottage cheese.
Minerals
Following are the essential minerals in cottage cheese for your cat:
Calcium
The first mineral is calcium which is important for the health of the bones and the cardiac muscles of the body. The cardiac muscles are present in the heart and that is why calcium is essential to prevent many heart health-related issues.
Calcium is essential for the muscular contraction of the heart and a deficiency of calcium can lead to cardiac arrhythmias in the body.
Calcium is essential for the health of the bones as it maintains bone mineral density. A deficiency of calcium can cause a decrease in the strength of the bones.
Calcium and phosphorus have a balanced ratio in the body which is essential for the strength of the bones. The absorption of calcium is governed by vitamin D so make sure that you add vitamin D so calcium is properly absorbed from the intestine.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus in combination with calcium is essential for the health of the bones and the cartilage in the body.
Phosphorus is also essential in maintaining the cell membrane of the cells because a deficiency of phosphorus can cause degeneration of the cells leading to the death of the cells especially the red blood cells and you will see blood in the urine.
Phosphorus is also essential for the ATP molecule because it has three phosphate groups. The three phosphate groups break one by one which can lead to energy production in the body.
Selenium
The next mineral is selenium which is required for the clotting of the blood in the body. Selenium along with vitamin K works very well in blood clotting.
What are the health hazards of consuming cottage cheese?
Following are the health hazards of consuming cottage cheese for your cat:
Obesity
The first problem with consuming too much cottage cheese can cause obesity in your cat. Obesity in cats can lead to severe consequences such as chronic joint inflammation and pain.
The inflammation of the joints is due to the increased body weight on the joints which they are unable to handle so this will lead to joint inflammation and complete immobility if it is not treated in time.
Obesity can also lead to heart disease which is due to the blocking of major arteries of the blood which is supplying the heart.
Pancreatitis
The next problem is pancreatitis in your cat. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas in the body. The inflammation of the pancreas is due to the high-fat content in the intestine which the pancreas is unable to digest properly.
Following are the major clinical signs of pancreatitis in your cat:
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
Your cat will take a characteristic preying position during an episode of pancreatic pain which clearly indicates that the cat is suffering from pancreatitis.
How can you safely give cottage cheese to your cat?
You should give cottage cheese as a treat, not as food to your cat. Cottage cheese should be given at around 10% of the body weight of your cat. You should also measure the calories you are giving to your cat according to the weight and activity of the cat.
Consuming cottage cheese occasionally with food is safe for your cat but it should be given in the proper way.
Conclusion
In this cat blog, we answered the major question, “Can cats eat cottage cheese?” we also discussed the health benefits of consuming cottage cheese, the health hazards of consuming cottage cheese, and how you can safely give cottage cheese to your cat.
References
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/supplement-guide-vitamin-k
https://authenticapets.com/en/blog/cottage-cheese-cats-dogs
https://petnutritionplanet.com/2022/01/12/can-cats-eat-cottage-cheese/
