Bushra Griffith
Cheese is a popular treat for dogs and is often used as a training tool. While cheese is not toxic to dogs, it is high in fat and sodium, and can cause weight gain and obesity if fed in large quantities. Some dogs are also lactose intolerant, which can cause flatulence, discomfort, diarrhoea, or vomiting. Additionally, some cheeses contain herbs or other ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic and onions. Therefore, it is recommended to feed dogs low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese in moderation, and to always consult a veterinarian before adding cheese to a dog's diet. So, is cheese bad for Yorkies?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese as a snack for Yorkies | Cheese is not toxic and is completely fine for most dogs, including Yorkies. |
| Occasional treat | Cheese can be given as an occasional treat in moderation, alongside a healthy diet. |
| Training tool | Cheese is often used as a training tool for dogs. |
| Hiding medication | Cheese can be used to hide pills or tablets for dogs that require medication. |
| High-fat content | Cheese has a high-fat content, which can lead to weight gain and obesity in dogs. |
| Pancreatitis | Cheese can lead to pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal illness in dogs. |
| Lactose intolerance | Some dogs are lactose intolerant and may experience flatulence, discomfort, diarrhea, or vomiting after consuming cheese. |
| Toxic ingredients | Some cheeses contain herbs, vegetables, or additives that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic, onions, chives, chocolate, nutmeg, and xylitol. |
| Recommended cheeses | Low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese are healthier options for dogs. |
| Portion size for Yorkies | Extra-small dogs (2-20 pounds): one or two pieces (½-inch wide by ¼-inch thick) |
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What You'll Learn
Yorkies can eat cheese, but only in moderation
Yorkies, like most dogs, can eat cheese, but only in moderation. Cheese is a great training tool, especially for puppies, and can be used as a tasty treat or to conceal pills for dogs that require medication.
However, cheese is high in fat, and feeding too much to your dog regularly can cause weight gain and lead to obesity. It could also lead to pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal illness in dogs. For this reason, it is better to feed your dog low-fat cheeses, like mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese. Cottage cheese, in particular, is lower in fat, sodium, and lactose than other cheeses, reducing the risk of obesity and intestinal upset.
Some dogs can also be intolerant of cheese, especially those with severe lactose intolerance, which may experience adverse reactions such as flatulence, discomfort, diarrhoea, or vomiting. Therefore, it is important to observe your dog closely for signs of intestinal upset after feeding cheese for the first time and consult your veterinarian with any questions or concerns about adding cheese to your dog's diet.
Additionally, some cheeses contain herbs or other products that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic, onions, chives, nutmeg, xylitol, and chocolate. Blue cheese should also be avoided as the mould that makes the cheese blue can make dogs very ill. High-fat cheeses, mac and cheese, and other highly processed cheese products should also be avoided.
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Some cheeses are toxic to dogs, including blue cheese
While cheese is not toxic to dogs and can be a great training tool, some dogs can be intolerant of cheese. Even dogs that can tolerate cheese should only be fed cheese in small-to-moderate quantities. Cheese is high in fat, and regular overconsumption can lead to weight gain and obesity. It could also lead to pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal condition in dogs.
Yorkies, being extra-small dogs (weighing 2-20 pounds), can be given one or two pieces of cheese (½-inch wide by ¼-inch thick) as an occasional treat. It is important to remember that any food separate from your dog's normal diet should not exceed 10% of their daily caloric intake.
If you are giving cheese to your dog for the first time, start with a small amount to see how their body reacts. Observe your dog closely for signs of intestinal upset and consult your veterinarian with any questions about adding cheese to their diet.
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Low-fat cheeses are better for dogs, such as mozzarella
While cheese can be a tasty treat for dogs, including Yorkies, and can be used as a training tool, it should be fed in moderation and with caution. This is because cheese is high in fat, and regular overconsumption can lead to weight gain and obesity, which can cause other health issues. In some cases, cheese can even trigger pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal illness in dogs.
Therefore, it is recommended to opt for low-fat cheeses, such as mozzarella, when feeding cheese to dogs. Mozzarella is a relatively safe option for dogs due to its moderate fat content. It is important to choose low-sodium varieties and feed it in small, controlled quantities. Skim mozzarella string cheese, in particular, has one of the lowest amounts of lactose found in cheese. However, the stringiness of the cheese can pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage, so it should be cut into small pieces.
Other low-fat cheeses that are suitable for dogs include cottage cheese and soft goat cheese. Cottage cheese is lower in fat, sodium, and lactose than other cheeses, reducing the risk of obesity and intestinal upset. Goat cheese is easier to digest than cow's milk and is a good option for lactose-intolerant dogs. It is important to choose plain varieties without harmful additives.
When introducing cheese into a dog's diet for the first time, it is important to start with a small amount to observe how their body reacts. Some dogs may be lactose intolerant, and cheese consumption may cause flatulence, discomfort, diarrhoea, or vomiting. It is always a good idea to discuss your dog's diet and nutrition with your veterinarian to ensure that cheese is an appropriate treat for your dog and to determine the appropriate portion sizes based on their size and overall health.
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Cheese is a good training tool, but too much can cause weight gain
Cheese is a popular treat for dogs and can be a great training tool, especially for puppies. It is often used as a high-value reward when training dogs because most dogs find it irresistible. Cheese is not toxic to dogs, and for some pups, it's completely fine.
However, cheese should be fed to dogs in moderation. Cheese is high in fat, and feeding too much to your dog regularly can cause weight gain and lead to obesity. Even more problematic, it could lead to pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal illness in dogs. In addition to the problems presented by the high-fat content, some cheeses contain herbs or other products that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic, onions, chives, nutmeg, and chocolate.
Yorkies are classified as extra-small dogs, weighing between 2 and 20 pounds. As such, they should be limited to one or two pieces of cheese that are 1/2-inch wide by 1/4-inch thick. It is important to monitor your Yorkie's weight and adjust their cheese intake accordingly. If you notice any signs of intestinal upset, such as flatulence, discomfort, diarrhea, or vomiting, reduce the amount of cheese you are giving them or discontinue it altogether.
If you choose to feed your Yorkie cheese, it is recommended to opt for low-fat cheeses such as mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese. These varieties are lower in fat and sodium, reducing the risk of obesity and intestinal upset. It is also important to check the ingredient list for any added ingredients that could be harmful to your dog. Remember, treats should never account for more than 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake.
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Some dogs are lactose intolerant and should not eat cheese
While cheese is not toxic to dogs, some dogs are lactose intolerant and should not eat cheese. Lactose intolerance in dogs can cause flatulence, discomfort, diarrhoea, or vomiting. Even dogs without severe lactose intolerance may experience intestinal upset from eating cheese due to its high fat and sodium content.
Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies, are classified as extra-small dogs, weighing between 2 and 20 pounds. According to PetMD, extra-small dogs of this size can typically handle one or two pieces of cheese (½-inch wide by ¼-inch thick) as an occasional treat. However, it is important to monitor your Yorkie's reaction after feeding them cheese for the first time and consult your veterinarian with any questions about adding cheese to their diet.
If you are giving cheese to your dog for the first time, it is recommended to start with a small amount to see how their body reacts. Some dogs may be allergic or intolerant to dairy and should not eat cheese at all. In addition to lactose intolerance, cheese has high amounts of saturated fats and salt, which can lead to weight gain and obesity in dogs. High-fat cheeses can also cause vomiting and diarrhoea, especially if consumed in large quantities.
When choosing cheese for your dog, it is best to opt for low-fat varieties such as mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese. These options have lower fat and sodium content, reducing the risk of obesity and intestinal issues. It is also important to check the ingredients as some cheeses contain herbs, vegetables, or additives that can be toxic to dogs, including garlic, onions, chives, chocolate, nutmeg, and xylitol.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese is not toxic to dogs and can be a great training tool, but it should be fed in moderation. For extra-small dogs like Yorkies, one or two pieces (½-inch wide by ¼-inch thick) is a suitable portion size. Cheese is high in fat and sodium, and feeding too much cheese to your dog can cause weight gain and lead to obesity and other health issues. Some dogs are also lactose intolerant, which can cause flatulence, discomfort, diarrhoea, or vomiting.
Low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese are healthier options for dogs. Cottage cheese is lower in fat, sodium, and lactose than other cheeses, which can help reduce the risk of obesity and intestinal upset. It's also a great source of calcium and protein.
Some cheeses contain herbs or other ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic, onions, and chives. It's important to always check the ingredients and consult your veterinarian before adding cheese to your dog's diet. Cheese should not account for more than 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake.
