Can Cats Eat Mozzarella Cheese?

A tiny bite of plain mozzarella will not poison most cats, but it is not a good treat. Many cats cannot digest dairy well, so cheese can cause diarrhea or an upset stomach. If your cat licked or swallowed a small piece of plain mozzarella, you can relax and watch for tummy trouble.

Is mozzarella safe for cats?

Plain mozzarella is not toxic, but it is not a good fit for cats either. The ASPCA says pets do not make much lactase. That is the enzyme that breaks down lactose, the sugar in milk. Without it, dairy often causes diarrhea or other stomach upset. The Cornell Feline Health Center agrees that many cats are lactose intolerant.

The AKC says cheese has much less lactose than milk. That page is written about dogs, but the same idea about lactose holds for cheese in general. Still, nobody can tell how much lactose one cat can handle. Some cats are fine with a crumb, and others get sick.

Do cats need cheese?

No. The Merck Veterinary Manual says cats are carnivores, which means they eat mainly meat. Cornell says cats rely on nutrients found only in animal products. A complete cat food already gives your cat what it needs. Merck also tells owners to avoid table scraps.

What are the signs of a bad reaction?

Watch your cat for a day for signs of an upset stomach. The ASPCA names diarrhea and other stomach upset as the usual problems with dairy.

Call your vet if your cat throws up many times, the diarrhea does not stop, or your cat stops eating or seems very tired. Call sooner for a kitten or a cat with health problems.

Which cheese is dangerous for cats?

Cheese with garlic, onion or chives is the real danger. The Merck Veterinary Manual says cats are the animals most sensitive to these plants. They damage red blood cells. Merck reports cats made sick by less than a teaspoon of cooked onion. Dried and powdered forms are the most concentrated.

Signs can take a few days to show. Merck lists tiredness, poor appetite, fast breathing, weakness, yellow skin or gums, dark urine, and collapse.

Keep the package so you can tell the vet exactly what was in it.

Other kinds of cheese

Can cats eat string cheese?

Plain string cheese is usually mozzarella, so the same answer applies: a tiny bite is not an emergency, but it is not a good treat. Check the label first, since some string cheese may be flavored.

Can cats eat parmesan cheese?

The sources I read say nothing specific about parmesan for cats. It is still a dairy product, so the lactose and tummy-upset warnings apply. Skip parmesan on garlic bread or in seasoned dishes, since those may hold garlic or onion.

Can cats eat pizza with mozzarella?

No. The cheese is the smaller worry. Pizza sauce and toppings can have garlic or onion, which are dangerous for cats.

How can I share cheese safely?

If you do give some, keep it very small:

• Offer a pea-sized piece, not a slice.
• Keep it plain. No garlic, onion, chives, herbs or seasoning.
• Try it once and watch. If your cat has diarrhea or vomits, skip cheese from now on.
• Skip it if your cat has a sensitive stomach or a health problem, unless your vet says it is fine.

Cornell says treats should be no more than 10 to 15 percent of your cat’s daily calories, and only given once in a while. The sources I read give no exact safe amount of cheese.

What can I give my cat instead?

Treats made for cats are the easiest choice. A few pieces of your cat’s regular food also work as a reward. For more on this, see our guide to cheese for cats and foods that are toxic to cats.