Can pet dogs consume cheese? Every little thing you require to understand

Can dogs eat cheese?

Yes, many dogs can eat cheese. Cheese is not toxic for dogs. In fact, most dogs love cheese and will do just about anything for it; therefore, cheese is a high value treat that can be used very effectively as a training tool.

Is cheese good for dogs?

Cheese is a secure as well as healthy and balanced treat for a lot of pets when consumed in small amounts. Generally, cheese is an excellent resource of healthy protein and also calcium, and also it likewise includes some essential nutrients. Nonetheless, cheese can be damaging to pets if consumed in huge quantities or if they deal with specific health and wellness problems. In these instances, it might be best to prevent cheese entirely or to have just percentages as a periodic reward.

Can dogs eat cheese if they have lactose-intolerance?

As a whole, a lot of kinds of cheese are fairly reduced in lactose since lactose is exchanged lactic acid throughout the cheese-making procedure. Although the majority of canines are lactose intolerant (i.e., their bodies do not totally absorb milk items), several have the ability to endure at the very least some kinds of cheese. Not all cheeses will certainly have the exact same result on all canines; it depends upon different aspects, consisting of the sort of cheese, the brand name and also the production procedure.

Tough yellow cheeses like cheddar cheese, parmesan as well as Swiss cheese are thought about a reduced lactose cheese as well as are typically endured far better by lactose intolerant pet dogs, while white cheeses like home cheese, feta as well as lotion cheese often tend to have somewhat greater quantities of lactose as well as might be much less well endured. For some pet dogs, cheeses made from cow’s milk might have an extra extreme impact than goat cheese.

Can dogs eat cheese if they have a problem with weight gain?

Cheese has a high fat content, so if dogs eat too much cheese on a regular basis they could potentially gain an unhealthy amount of weight over time. A high fat diet is also thought to contribute to pancreatitis in dogs, a serious health condition that is often accompanied by an upset stomach. 

Dogs who have a tendency to gain weight and those who have been placed on low-fat prescription diets by a veterinarian should only eat a small amount cheese as an occasional treat, preferably low fat cheese such as cottage cheese, mozzarella or soft goat cheese.

Can dogs eat cottage cheese? 

Yes, cottage cheese is a good choice for some dogs. It is a low fat cheese and it is also lower in fat and sodium than many other types of cheese. However, cottage cheese is a dairy product that contains higher amounts of lactose than most hard yellow cheeses, so it may cause stomach upset in dogs with more severe lactose intolerance.

How to feed a dog cheese

• Cut up hard cheeses into bite size pieces or thin slices
• Feed a few pieces to your dog
• Or, add a few small pieces of cheese to your dog’s regular food

How much cheese can my dog eat?

Dogs should be given cheese in moderation, taking the dog’s size, activity level and overall health into consideration. Also consider all the other treats that your dog may eat or have eaten that day, as these should comprise only 10% of your dog’s overall diet.

Some dogs may be more sensitive to cheese than others, and may suffer stomach upset after eating it (or eating too much of it). If this happens to your dog, it’s best to avoid cheese and to contact your vet for further advice.

The nutritional benefit of cheese for dogs

In general, cheese is a good source of several essential nutrients, including:  

• Protein
• Calcium
• Vitamins A, D and B12
• Phosphorus
• Zinc

Cheese recipes for dogs

Ingredients:

1. One cup shredded cheese (such as cheddar or mozzarella)
2. One ripe tomato, diced

Other requirements:

Baking tray, baking paper

Method:

1. Combine the shredded cheese and diced tomato in a bowl and mix well.
2. Use a spoon to place small scoops of the mixture onto the lined baking tray  2 to 3 cm apart and flatten them to biscuit size with the back of the spoon.
3. Bake in the oven at 170°C for around 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
4. Remove from oven and cool completey before giving one or two to your dog.
5. Store the remainder in an airtight container.

The risks of dogs eating cheese

Providing your pet dog cheese might create an indigestion, particularly if your canine is not utilized to it. Constantly present a brand-new food gradually and also check for any type of indicators of allergic reactions or various other sick results. If your pet has a delicate belly, you can attempt feeding simply a little cheese to see if it creates any type of response.

Do not provide your pet cheese which contains active ingredients that are hazardous to pet dogs, such as onion, garlic or chives, or flavors such as pepper or chillies.

Because of its high fat content, don’t give cheese to dogs suffering from pancreatitis or who are overweight or obese.

Too many treats in your dog’s diet can cause health problems over the long term, including obesity and diabetes. Treats, including healthy ones like cheese, should only comprise 10% of your dog’s diet, and are best avoided altogether in dogs that are overweight, diabetic and/or on a prescription diet. Always consult your vet for nutritional advice if you are unsure.