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Can Cats Eat Cheez-Its? Facts & FAQ

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on January 7, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Can Cats Eat CHEEZITS

Can Cats Eat Cheez-Its? Facts & FAQ

Our pets are like family members to us. They join in on quality time with the rest of the kids and adults and often become the center of attention with their hilarious antics. However, when it comes to sharing your food, more caution is required.

As omnivores, we eat many things that we should not give to our cats. We enjoy snacking on food that can disrupt our cats’ digestive systems and make them very uncomfortable. Some of the food we eat is toxic for them.

What about Cheez-Its? Can cats share in this snack? The answer to that is no.

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Can Cats Eat Cheez-Its?

As carnivores, cats do not need almost anything in a Cheez-It, as it has very little nutritional value. Cats can eat Cheez-Its without getting sick, however. There is nothing in the original Cheez-It crackers that is toxic for your cat, and you don’t have to worry about significantly damaging their digestive system if they eat one or two a couple of times a week.

cat waiting for treats_shutterstock_Andriy Blokhin
Photo Credit: Andriy Blokhin, shutterstock

Cats & Lactose Intolerance

The major hang-up for a cat’s dietary relationship with Cheez-Its is the dairy that the food contains. Cheez-Its contain real cheese, making up 6% of a human’s daily calcium needs in a single serving. They also contain extra fat and way too much sodium for cats.

There are a surprising number of lactose-intolerant cats. Although you shouldn’t assume that your cat is lactose-intolerant, you should be careful as they age. Adult cats’ bodies often stop developing the protein enzymes that can easily break down lactose into a usable form. Because of that, they cannot digest it well.

For some cats, that only manifests as discomfort and maybe gas, similar to humans. For others, it results in vomiting and diarrhea, which can be dangerous when too frequent or heavy.

If your cat is lactose-intolerant, eating one Cheez-It could bring on a violent physical response. If you decide to give your cat a Cheez-It, you should only give them one the first time. Even if they don’t have an adverse physical reaction afterward, you should never give them more than one or two in a week.

Sodium Level of Cheez-Its

The Association of American Feed Control Officials only recommends that cat food contain 0.2% sodium for a cat’s expected growth. That is a tiny amount, especially compared to a human body, which can’t live without sodium.

Cheez-Its contain 174 milligrams (mg) of sodium in a single ounce or 28 grams. The salt is partly what makes them so appealing to the human palate. For cats, salt poisoning is a possible risk. Too much salt, which isn’t much, can become toxic to cats.

If your cat has had too much sodium, some of their signs could include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and excessive thirst. They might also suffer from seizures and go into a coma in extreme cases.

LaPerm tri-colored cat
Photo Credit: Linn Currie, Shutterstock

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In Summary

A Cheez-It or two won’t harm most cats, but they should never become part of their regular diet. However, if you know or suspect they are lactose-intolerant, save them the discomfort and don’t give them the dairy-filled snack. Remember that there are healthier treats for cats with more nutritional value than a Cheez-It.

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