Quick Answer
No, nacho cheese is not safe for cats to eat. Nacho cheese contains ingredients that can be harmful to cats, including milk, spices, and preservatives. Cats are lactose intolerant and cannot properly digest the milk in cheese. The spices and preservatives can also upset a cat’s stomach. It’s best to avoid feeding nacho cheese to cats.
Is Nacho Cheese Toxic to Cats?
While not necessarily toxic, nacho cheese can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats. Here’s an overview of the potential issues with feeding nacho cheese to cats:
Lactose Intolerance
Like most mammals, cats have decreasing levels of the enzyme lactase as they mature, making them lactose intolerant. Lactose is a sugar found in dairy products like cheese. When cats eat dairy, the undigested lactose can cause digestive upset symptoms like:
– Diarrhea
– Vomiting
– Abdominal pain
– Bloating
– Gas
So the milk in nacho cheese can cause stomach and digestion problems for cats.
Spices
Nacho cheese is highly flavored with spices like garlic, onion, paprika, and chili powder. These spices, although delicious to humans, can cause irritation to a cat’s gastrointestinal system. Eating spicy nacho cheese may cause symptoms like:
– Nausea
– Vomiting
– Diarrhea
– Loss of appetite
The spices make nacho cheese unpalatable and hard to digest for cats.
Preservatives
Nacho cheese often contains preservatives like sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, and calcium phosphate to extend shelf life and keep the cheese smooth and creamy. While small amounts of these preservatives are considered safe for human consumption, they can negatively impact cats. Too much sodium from the preservatives can cause:
– Excessive thirst
– Increased urination
– High blood pressure
The preservatives in nacho cheese are another reason it’s not ideal for cats.
Health Risks of Feeding Nacho Cheese to Cats
Eating nacho cheese poses some health risks for cats including:
Pancreatitis
The high fat content of nacho cheese can trigger a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas known as pancreatitis in cats. Pancreatitis causes symptoms like:
– Loss of appetite
– Vomiting
– Abdominal pain
– Lethargy
If left untreated, pancreatitis can lead to death in cats. It requires intensive veterinary treatment.
Obesity
Nacho cheese is very high in fat and calories. Feeding it too often can quickly cause obesity in cats. Obese cats are prone to serious health problems like:
– Diabetes
– Joint pain
– Heart disease
– Skin conditions
Keeping cats at a healthy weight is important for their wellbeing.
Gastrointestinal Blockages
Cats are prone to developing obstructions and blockages in their gastrointestinal tract. Eating large quantities of thick, sticky nacho cheese increases the risk of obstructions forming. Symptoms of a GI blockage include:
– Retching but not vomiting up anything
– Loss of appetite
– Lethargy
– Distended abdomen
Blockages require emergency surgery to clear and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Avoid feeding cats anything that could clump together and cause an obstruction.
Can Cats Have a Little Nacho Cheese?
It’s best to completely avoid feeding nacho cheese to cats. Even small amounts pose some risks. The milk, spices, fat content, and risk of obstruction mean nacho cheese offers no benefits and only potential downsides for cats.
If you want to share a snack with your cat, try small amounts of plain cooked chicken or fish instead. Or look for commercial cat treats made with digestible protein sources. Avoid anything spicy, fatty, or cheesy.
Signs of Illness in Cats After Eating Nacho Cheese
Look out for the following symptoms if your cat manages to eat nacho cheese, as they can indicate an adverse reaction:
– Vomiting
– Diarrhea
– Loss of appetite
– Lethargy
– Increased thirst and urination
– Abdominal pain or discomfort
– Bloating
– Flatulence
– Constipation
If you see any of these symptoms within a day of your cat eating nacho cheese, call your veterinarian. Caught early, adverse reactions can often be managed with simple treatments. But left untreated, they can rapidly progress to more serious conditions requiring intensive treatment.
What to Do If Your Cat Eats Nacho Cheese
Here are the steps to take if you discover your cat ate nacho cheese:
– Remain calm. Cats can sense stress and anxiety, which will only make matters worse.
– Check for signs of illness like vomiting, lethargy, or discomfort. Call your vet right away if you notice any of these.
– Carefully examine your cat’s mouth. Look for any pieces of stuck cheese that could cause choking or obstructions.
– Monitor your cat closely over the next 24 hours. Look for changes in appetite, activity level, litter box usage, etc.
– Feed a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice for a day or two to allow their digestive system to recover. Avoid dairy, spices, and fatty foods during this time.
– Make sure your cat always has access to fresh, clean water to prevent dehydration.
– Schedule a checkup with your vet if symptoms don’t improve after a day or two. They can provide medication to ease stomach upset or address other issues caused by the nacho cheese.
– Cat-proof your nacho cheese in the future! Keep it well out of your cat’s reach.
Alternatives to Nacho Cheese for Cats
Instead of nacho cheese, choose cat-friendly snack alternatives like:
Tuna
Water-packed tuna without added salt or oils is a favorite treat for many cats. The fish protein provides a healthy nutrient boost. Mash it up to mimic the texture of nacho cheese.
Chicken
Shredded cooked chicken is an excellent nacho cheese substitute. It’s packed with protein and easy for cats to digest.
Turkey Baby Food
Look for grain-free turkey or chicken baby food with minimal added ingredients. The smooth, cheese-like texture appeals to cats.
Hills A/D
This veterinary prescription recovery diet comes in a soft, cheese-like texture. It provides critical nutrition for cats with digestive issues or needing to gain weight.
Cat Treats
Soft, cheesy cat treats are formulated to be gentle on feline stomachs. Try small amounts for a nacho cheese alternative cats can safely enjoy.
Conclusion
Nacho cheese is too risky to feed cats. From the milk to the spices to the fat content, it contains multiple ingredients that can cause digestive upset and other health issues in cats. Avoid nacho cheese, and stick to cat-friendly, digestible treats like tuna, boiled chicken, or high-quality cat snacks. Monitor your cat closely if they accidentally eat nacho cheese and call your vet right away if symptoms develop. While an occasional lick of nacho cheese won’t necessarily harm an otherwise healthy cat, it provides no nutritional value and poses risks of adverse reactions. It’s safest to keep nacho cheese off the menu for cats.