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Has your cat eaten some mac & cheese? Are you worried the mac & cheese will make her sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your cat eats something she shouldn’t.
In this article, we’ve put together some information about mac & cheese and whether or not it can make your cat sick. Let’s get started!
What is Mac & Cheese?
Mac & cheese is short for macaroni and cheese. This is a popular meal in the US.Many people love mac & cheese and enjoy it any time.
The dish is made using macaroni noodles (a type of pasta) and cheddar cheese sauce, mixed with some other ingredients. It’s also possible to buy packaged mac & cheese, which is faster to cook up. The packages contain the noodles and a packet of dried cheese sauce powder.
Whether you choose the packaged mac & cheese or make it from scratch, this yummy dinner includes a lot of dairy. Macaroni & cheese usually includes butter, milk, and cheddar cheese. It also includes salt. Some people may also add garlic or onion seasoning, along with some black pepper too.
So, can mac & cheese make your cat sick? Is it OK for cats to eat mac & cheese?
Mac and Cheese & Cats
Mac & cheese is not toxic to cats if it only contains dairy products, salt, pepper, & noodles. However, if the mac & cheese contains other flavorings and spices, this could be a problem. For instance, garlic and onion are both toxic to cats.
The dairy contained in this dish really isn’t very good for cats. This is because most cats are lactose intolerant. This means they don’t produce the enzyme needed to digest dairy products. This means your cat may have vomiting and diarrhea after eating mac & cheese.
If the diarrhea and vomiting last longer than 24 hours, then it’s time to call the vet. As they are at risk of dehydration if they have prolonged vomiting and diarrhea.
If the mac & cheese did contain onion, garlic, and other ingredients, then it’s a good idea to call the vet right away. Garlic can be extremely toxic to cats, so your veterinarian may recommend an examination immediately, depending on how much mac & cheese your cat has eaten.Garlic and onion poisoning can result in gastroenteritis, anemia, and more.
We hope this article has answered your question. As always, if you’re worried and/or your cat is showing some symptoms that are worse, then please call the vet right away. They will have the best advice on what you need to do to help your cat.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. No waiting for appointments or office hours. No high fees. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Evie Moloney, RCVS
This article has been reviewed and approved by an independent Veterinarian: Evie is a vet surgeon who graduated from the University College Dublin, which is the only university offering the veterinary medicine degree in Ireland. She really enjoys surgery and has also worked as an emergency and critical care vet. She is passionate about sharing education about preventative health care for pets, especially the importance of regular dog and cat teeth brushing at home. She also enjoys helping owners find practical solutions for keeping pets as comfortable as possible while living with conditions such as arthritis. When not working, she enjoys hiking and swimming.
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