Sometimes — with care
A pea-sized piece of hard cheese occasionally won’t hurt most cats — but cats gain nothing from dairy, and many get digestive upset. Treat it as a rare pill-delivery device.
Cats are obligate carnivores: their ideal diet is meat, not dairy. Cheese delivers fat, salt and (in soft cheeses) lactose that adult cats digest poorly. Hard aged cheeses like cheddar or parmesan contain minimal lactose, which is why a tiny cube usually passes without drama and works brilliantly for hiding tablets. Blue cheeses should be avoided (mould toxins), and cream cheese or soft fresh cheeses carry the most lactose.
A pea- to fingernail-sized piece, occasionally — that’s it. A 4 kg cat needs only ~200 kcal a day, and a 20 g cube of cheddar is 80 of them. Skip cheese for overweight cats and any cat that’s had dairy-related diarrhoea before.
Freeze-dried chicken treats give the same “special reward” feel with cat-appropriate nutrition. See also eggs for cats.
Related: Can cats drink milk? · Can dogs eat cheese? · Can cats eat eggs?
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet has eaten something potentially harmful or shows symptoms, contact your vet or an emergency clinic immediately. Full disclaimer.