Andy Montoya
Dogs can eat cheese, but it should be fed in moderation and used as an occasional treat during training. While cheese contains protein, calcium, vitamin A, essential fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins, it is also high in fat and calories, which can lead to weight gain and obesity in dogs. Some dogs may also be lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy, so it is important to monitor your dog closely after feeding them cheese for the first time. Additionally, some cheeses contain herbs, garlic, onions, or other ingredients that are toxic to dogs, so it is important to choose the right type of cheese and avoid feeding your dog large amounts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can dogs eat cheese? | Yes, but in moderation. |
| Nutritional benefits | Cheese contains protein, calcium, vitamin A, essential fatty acids, vitamin K, and B-complex vitamins. |
| Risks | High-fat content can lead to weight gain, obesity, gastroenteritis, or pancreatitis. Some dogs are lactose intolerant and can have adverse reactions to cheese. |
| Types of cheese to avoid | Blue cheese, cream cheese with added ingredients like chives, onions, or garlic. Cheeses with additives, artificial coloring, high levels of sodium, or mold cultures are also not safe. |
| Safe types of cheese | Low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese. Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Swiss, string cheese, and cheddar cheese are also lower in lactose. |
| Serving suggestions | Small pieces or chunks are ideal for training or as a reward. |
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What You'll Learn
Dogs can eat cheese in moderation
Dogs can eat cheese, but only in moderation. While cheese is a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin A, essential fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins, it is also high in fat, calories, and salt, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. As such, it should be given as an occasional treat, and low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese are preferable.
Some dogs may also be intolerant to cheese, especially as they get older. Lactose intolerance is common in dogs, and while cheese has a lower lactose content than whole milk, it can still cause intestinal upset or an adverse reaction in dogs with severe lactose intolerance. It's important to monitor your dog closely after feeding them cheese for the first time and consult your veterinarian with any questions or concerns about adding cheese to their diet.
Additionally, some cheeses contain herbs, fruits, nuts, or other additives that can be toxic to dogs, such as garlic, onions, chives, and nuts. These ingredients should be avoided as they can cause stomach upset or more severe health issues like salt poisoning. Blue cheese, for example, should be avoided due to the presence of a fungus that produces a compound called roquefortine C, which dogs are sensitive to.
Overall, while dogs can eat cheese, it should be given sparingly as a treat or reward during training. It is not a necessary addition to their diet, as they should be getting the required nutrients from their regular, complete diet.
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High-fat cheese can cause weight gain and obesity
While cheese can be a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin A, essential fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins for dogs, it is important to remember that it is high in fat. High-fat cheeses can contribute to weight gain and obesity in dogs. Therefore, it is recommended to feed your dog low-fat cheeses, such as mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese, in moderation. These cheeses are lower in fat and sodium, reducing the risk of obesity and lowering the chances of intestinal upset.
Cheese should be given to dogs sparingly as a treat or reward during training. It is not necessary to add cheese to a dog's diet, as they should be receiving adequate nutrition from their regular, complete diet. Additionally, some dogs may be lactose intolerant or have adverse reactions to dairy, so it is important to monitor your dog closely after feeding them cheese for the first time.
The high-fat content in cheese can also increase the risk of other health issues, such as gastroenteritis and pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal illness in dogs. Furthermore, some cheeses contain additives, artificial coloring, high levels of sodium, or mold cultures that can cause an upset stomach or more severe issues like salt poisoning. Certain cheeses also include additional flavorings like garlic, onion, or chives, which can be toxic to dogs and should be avoided.
It is worth noting that some dogs may be allergic to dairy products, and antibiotics may become ineffective if given with dairy. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult your veterinarian with any questions or concerns about adding cheese to your dog's diet.
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Some cheeses contain toxic ingredients
While cheese can be a tasty treat for dogs, some varieties contain toxic ingredients. It is important to be vigilant about what types of cheese your dog consumes.
Some cheeses contain herbs, fruits, or other products that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic, onions, chives, nuts, and even mould cultures. These ingredients can cause an upset stomach or more severe health issues like salt poisoning. For example, blue cheese or any other cheese with mould cultures can produce a substance called roquefortine C, which dogs can be very sensitive to. Consuming this type of cheese could lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, and fever.
Cheeses with artificial colouring or high levels of sodium should also be avoided, as they can be harmful to dogs. It is best to opt for low-fat cheeses, such as mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese, and to feed your dog cheese in moderation.
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Lactose intolerance in dogs
Dogs can be intolerant to cheese, and while cheese contains little lactose when compared to whole milk, dogs with severe lactose intolerance may have adverse reactions to cheese, even in small quantities. Lactose intolerance means your dog can't digest dairy products. Specifically, they can't digest lactose, the sugar in milk. If a dog with lactose intolerance eats dairy, they will likely experience symptoms like bloating, stomach pain, diarrhoea, nausea, or vomiting.
The symptoms of lactose intolerance are uncomfortable but are not generally life-threatening unless they continue for extended periods. Symptoms will start within thirty minutes to twelve hours from the ingestion of the dairy product. The most common sign of lactose intolerance is diarrhoea, which usually occurs within 12 hours of dairy consumption. Lactose intolerance can also lead to vomiting after dairy consumption. Other symptoms include bloating, gas, and gurgling sounds from the digestive system.
If your dog is lactose intolerant, treatment is generally the removal of dairy from their diet. There are, however, options for dairy-similar products, such as lactose-free milk, and soy milk. While lactose intolerance is manageable, it's important to note that dogs do not need dairy in their diet, and cheese should be fed in moderation.
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Cheese as a training treat
Cheese is a great training treat for dogs, especially for puppies. It is a high-reward treat that can be used to train dogs, especially in distracting environments. However, it should be used sparingly to retain its value as a reward.
While cheese is a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin A, essential fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins, these nutrients are already included in your dog's regular diet. Therefore, cheese is not a necessary addition to your dog's diet. Moreover, cheese is high in fat, calories, and salt, which can lead to weight gain, obesity, and other health issues. Thus, it is recommended to feed your dog low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese in very small amounts.
Some dogs are also lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy products, so it is important to monitor your dog closely after feeding them cheese for the first time. Additionally, some cheeses contain herbs, fruits, nuts, or other additives that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic, onions, and chives. These ingredients should be avoided as they can cause digestive issues or other health problems.
Overall, while cheese can be a tasty and motivating treat for dogs during training, it should be given in moderation and with consideration for the specific type of cheese and your dog's individual tolerance.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, dogs can eat cheese, but only in moderation.
Sliced cheese is not inherently bad for dogs, but it is high in fat and calories, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. Some dogs may also be lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy, so cheese should be avoided in such cases.
Low-fat and low-sodium cheeses, such as mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese, are better options for dogs.
Yes, blue cheese and other cheeses with mould or added ingredients such as garlic, onion, herbs, nuts, or fruits can be dangerous and should be avoided.
Cheese should be given to dogs in very small amounts as an occasional treat. It is not necessary to add cheese to a dog's diet as they can get the same nutrients from their regular, complete diet.
