It’s not uncommon for cat owners to notice their feline friends showing an affinity for human foods that seem quite unusual. One of the most peculiar favorites is nacho cheese. Why do some cats go crazy over this tangy, colorful snack? As a cat owner and SEO writer, I decided to get to the bottom of this mystery.
The Allure of Nacho Cheese
For starters, let’s consider the appeal of nacho cheese from a cat’s perspective. Nacho cheese is rich, fatty, and flavorful. These qualities hit right in the sweet spot of a cat’s tastes in food. Kitties are attracted to richer flavors and textures, since their ancestral diet as hunters revolved around eating small prey animals like rodents, birds, reptiles, and insects to survive. The fatty richness of nacho cheese seems to mimic the type of fare cats are instinctively drawn to.
Nacho cheese also has a very pungent smell, especially when freshly melted. A cat’s sense of smell is about 14 times better than humans, so they can detect the alluring aroma of nacho cheese from great distances. Smell plays a huge role in appetite, so the strong scent triggers a cat’s desire to eat it.
The color of nacho cheese is also very attention-grabbing to cats. Felines can see shades of yellow and green more clearly than humans, and the vibrant yellow-orange hue of nacho cheese stands out to them. Interest and curiosity can entice them to sample it. The more senses stimulated by a potential food, the more enticing it becomes.
Taste Preferences in Cats
To better understand why nachos appeal to cats, let’s look at some of their general taste preferences when it comes to people food:
- Fatty richness
- Potent smells
- Strong flavors
- Saltiness
- Umami tastes
- Crunchy textures
Nacho cheese hits many of these desirables for cats. The melted cheese is fatty and rich, the nacho flavor is potent with an umami kick, and the chips provide a crunchy texture. The saltiness of the chips and cheese also delivers a taste cats crave. When a food meets so many of a cat’s preferences, it’s no wonder they can’t resist!
Specific Ingredients in Nacho Cheese
Now let’s break down the specific ingredients in nacho cheese that make cats go wild:
Cheese
The cheese in nacho cheese is typically a processed blend of cheddar, Colby, and/or pepper jack. The fatty richness of the cheese, especially when melted, appeals to a cat’s appetite. Studies show cats prefer higher fat content in foods compared to humans. The creamy texture is also enticing.
Milk
Nacho cheese sauce contains milk to blend the cheese into a smooth, liquidy mixture. Kittens and cats are drawn to dairy products since they love the fat and protein content. The lactose in the milk can sometimes cause digestive issues, however.
Whey
Whey is a protein byproduct of milk and cheese production that’s found in nacho cheese sauce. Cats need high levels of bioavailable protein in their diet, so the whey provides a protein kick.
Sodium Citrate
This acid is an emulsifying salt that helps create the smooth, liquid texture and melting properties of nacho cheese. The salty, tangy taste it provides is attractive to cats.
Spices
Nacho cheese often contains a blend of spices like paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. These can provide a savory flavor cats find delicious. However, cats have a lower tolerance for spicy heat compared to humans, so spice blends with chili or cayenne peppers should be avoided.
Colorings
Vibrant yellow or orange coloring agents are added to give nacho cheese its signature hue. As mentioned earlier, cats are especially attracted to these warm shades in the color spectrum.
Preservatives
Processed cheese and nacho cheese sauces require chemical preservatives to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life. These are safe for human consumption but can cause upset stomachs in cats if large amounts are ingested.
Nutritional Pros and Cons for Cats
Now that we know the specific ingredients cats crave in nacho cheese, how does it measure up nutrition-wise? Here are some pros and cons:
Pros
- High fat and protein content
- Contains essential amino acids
- Source of vitamins A, B12, D, E
- Provides calcium for bones
- Grain-free
Cons
- Very high in sodium
- Low moisture content
- Can cause GI upset if lactose intolerant
- Lacks vital nutrients like taurine
- High calorie density can lead to obesity
As we can see, nacho cheese does provide some beneficial nutrition, especially protein and fatty acids. However, there are also many downsides, such as high sodium content, lack of moisture, and poor overall nutritional balance. While it makes an occasional tasty treat, nacho cheese should not be a regular part of a cat’s diet.
Health Risks of Nacho Cheese for Cats
Consuming too much nacho cheese poses some health risks for cats to be aware of. Here are some of the most common issues:
Obesity
The high fat and calorie content of nacho cheese can quickly lead to weight gain if a cat consumes it frequently. Obesity stresses all of a cat’s organ systems and leads to diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and more.
GI Upset
Too much dairy, fat, sodium, spices, or preservatives found in nacho cheese can cause vomiting, diarrhea, gas, or constipation in cats. This is especially true if the cat is lactose intolerant.
Pancreatitis
The high fat content puts a strain on the pancreas. Inflammation of the pancreas is extremely dangerous and painful for cats.
Kidney Disease
Lots of sodium and phosphorus from cheese and additives can worsen kidney disorders leading to renal failure.
Cardiac Issues
A fatty diet and obesity stresses the heart. Nacho cheese could worsen heart conditions in susceptible cats.
Diabetes
Obesity and high fat intake increases the risk of diabetes which requires lifelong insulin therapy and care.
Hypertension
Excess sodium can trigger high blood pressure which can damage the eyes, kidneys, and heart.
Cancer
Low quality ingredients like artificial colorings may increase cancer risk.
While an occasional nibble likely won’t harm an otherwise healthy cat, too much nacho cheese feeding can have detrimental effects for cats and should be avoided.
Safe Ways to Feed Nacho Cheese
If you want to share a bit of nacho cheese with your cat, follow these tips to do it safely:
- Choose a high quality brand with no artificial additives.
- Scrape off a tiny portion onto your finger for the cat to lick.
- Mix a small amount with their regular wet food.
- Save it as a rare treat no more than once a week.
- Avoid spicy or jalapeno flavored cheeses.
- Adjust their main meals to balance calories.
- Make sure plenty of fresh water is available to stay hydrated.
- Brush their teeth after to remove clinging cheese.
Being mindful of portion size, frequency, and quality is key to allowing your cat a cheese fix while avoiding health issues.
Healthier Cheesy Treats for Cats
If your cat is a cheesy fiend, there are healthier ways to cater to their dairy cravings. Here are some options:
Cottage Cheese
The lower fat and salt content makes this gentler on cats’ stomachs and kidneys.
Goat Cheese
It’s usually well tolerated by lactose intolerant cats.
Plain Yogurt
The probiotics can actually aid digestion. Look for low fat, low sugar varieties.
Cat Milk Treats
These are formulated to be gentle on cats using lactose-free milk.
Cat Cheese Treats
Many brands now make cheese flavored cat treats with no dairy.
Shredded Chicken
Meat flavored with cheese powders or broth satisfies the flavor craving.
With some creativity, you can satisfy your cat’s cheesy desires in a healthier way that prevents obesity and other issues.
Conclusion
Nacho cheese may seem like an odd food for cats to obsess over, but its fatty richness, salty flavor, and enticing aroma create a perfect storm of irresistible qualities to cats. While it can be enjoyed safely as an occasional snack, nacho cheese should not be a regular part of a cat’s diet due to its lack of nutrition and high risks of obesity, diabetes, pancreatitis, and other problems. Satisfying your cat’s dairy cravings with healthier alternatives like cottage cheese, cat milk treats, or yogurt is the best way to avoid health issues.
With an understanding of the ingredients in nacho cheese that attract cats, and awareness of portion sizes and frequency, cat owners can allow their pets an indulgent cheese fix now and then without compromising their health. So go ahead and let your cat have a tiny taste – just be sure to keep the nachos out of regular pouncing reach!