Can Dogs Eat Cheese? | Read before you feed!

Possible canine health benefits of cheese

Cheese has had a bad reputation because it is said to be high in fat, which is true, but, for an active dog, feeding him small amounts of cheese should not be a problem.

You should, however, avoid giving cheese, except the low-fat cottage cheese to dogs that have pancreatitis, since it can trigger some painful conditions.

If you have a dog that is lactose intolerant, remember that lactose is not toxic, and the upset stomach is normally due to fermentation inside the gut and not as a result of poisoning.

You should also know that different cheeses have different lactose content, and, if you check this beforehand, you may find some low-lactose cheese to feed your dog.

Cheese contains the following nutrients:

• high-quality proteins,
• calcium from the milk content in cheese,
• the essential fatty acids – these are vital for a more resilient skin and shiny fur,
• Vitamin B12 – this is very important as it helps to increase appetite,
• Vitamin A – this, of course, helps with eyesight.

All of these nutrients will help your dog to develop a strong immune system and make them very healthy.

What kind of cheese can your dog eat?

Because of the high-fat content in cheese, most veterinarians and experts recommend that you feed your dog low-fat cheeses such as cottage cheese and mozzarella.

Avoid cheese that is super rich in fat because it can be harder to digest and it will contribute to weight gain. Cream cheese is a good example of fat that falls in this category of super-rich in fat, so, ensure to look for a better alternative.

Look for cheese that is low in sodium content. Puppies are generally not able to process salt easily, and as a result, this will lead to dehydration, vomiting and even dizziness.

If your dog is lactose intolerant, the cheese will cause them to have an adverse reaction and may experience gas, bloating and diarrhea. Although cheese is delicious, it is not worth all that trouble, so, avoid feeding it to him.

DO NOT feed your dog cheese that has been mixed with garlic, or tomatoes, or any other toxic ingredient. He will get sick, and some of those toxins can be fatal.

How to safely feed your dog cheese

Cheese is safe for your dog because it is not toxic.

You should, however, be very careful while feeding it to your dog because too much can cause an unhealthy weight gain and even lead to obesity and pancreatitis. These are serious and potentially fatal conditions to a dog.

In addition to all that, some cheeses are made with additional products that can be toxic such as garlic, chives, and onions. Ensure to read the packaging carefully in order to check what the cheese contains so you do not feed your dog toxic substances.

The best way to feed your dog cheese would be in small quantities or as a treat during training. Do not make it part of his diet.

It is also advisable to consult your pediatrician before introducing the cheese to your dogs diet because they will have the best advice on which kinds of cheese are tolerable for your dog.

Delicious cheese recipes for dogs

Peanut butter and cheese snacks for your dog

Prep time: 20 mins.

Cook time: 35 mins.

Total time: 55 mins

Ingredients

• ¾ cup of yellow corn flour.
• 1 cup of old-fashioned oats.
• 1 egg.
• ½ cup of peanut butter – smooth.
• 1 cup of warm water.
• ½ cup of cheddar cheese – shredded.
• 2 cups of whole wheat flour.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and also line 2 baking pans with baker’s parchment – you may need more than 2 though.
2. In a bowl, combine the oats, cornmeal, and warm water. Ensure to mix this very well.
3. Add in the peanut butter and egg. Stir well.
4. Add in the flour, enough for a dough.
5. Roll it out into ¼ inch thickness and then cut to the desired shapes.
6. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until they start to brown. Turn the oven off and leave the biscuits in there to cool down. This helps to dehydrate them for storage.

Chewy cheddar puffs

Yield – 24 delicious puffs.

Ingredients

• 1 Cup of all-purpose flour.
• ¼ Cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
• ¼ Cup of shredded parmesan cheese.
• ½ Cup of evaporated low-fat milk.
• 1 egg – Large.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
2. In a large bowl, mix up all of the ingredients well.
3. Make a dough, and drop it in full teaspoons on to a greased cookie sheet.
4. Bake this for 9-12 minutes or until they are golden brown.
5. Remove from the oven when cooked and store them in an airtight container to preserve their crunchiness.

The above recipes are delicious and have been attested to as such by many happy doggos!

Final say on dogs eating cheese

Cheese is extremely delicious and we would all love to share it with our precious puppies, but, as mentioned earlier, always exercise caution when it comes to your dog because too much of anything can in fact be harmful.

Introduce it sparingly, and do not make it the main meal. With dogs, anything that is not part of their everyday meal plan should be done in moderation.