Have your little four-legged buddy pounced on you while you are inhaling the lip-smacking smell of your cheesy lasagna or snacking on a few cubes of cheddar? Your pooch is likely to set his eyes on your cheesy knack while insisting on how sharing is caring.
However, is cheese good for your furry pal? Can dogs eat cheese? YES! In fact, cheese can be a great training tool for puppies. The only drawback is while some dogs can eat cheese, and most dogs love cheese, many dogs can be cheese intolerant.
Your dogs might enthusiastically say yes to cheese, but a simple “yes” doesn’t quite cover the canine relationship with cheese. So, before you hold the cheese knife for your slicing off chunks of cheese for your fur pal, here are a couple of factors to consider, including the weight, digestive health, types of dog cheese, and the general health of your dog.
A brief overview of lactose intolerance in dogs
Just like some humans, some dogs are also incapable of digesting lactose. Lactose is a sugar found in dairy products, and lactose intolerance in dogs can range from mild to severe. To find out whether your dog is lactose intolerant or not, test with a small amount of cheese first. This can help you face the stinky wrath of a dog’s upset belly. In case your dog starts showing signs of an allergic reaction, stop feeding them cheese, and if not they start searching for the best dog cheese and chews.
Types of cheese that dogs can eat
Some dogs are allergic to specific kinds of cheese. If you are wondering about what kinds of cheese a dog can eat, we have some information for you. Let’s start with cheese types like cheddar and mozzarella. Aged cheeses like parmesan, cheddar, and Swiss typically contain very little lactose. So, they cannot cause much harm to your dog’s stomach.
On the other hand, the full-fat mozzarella can be a bit heavy for your dog’s stomach. Mostly the type of cheese that your dog can have depends on the tolerance of your dog and the amount of cheese that you are giving them throughout the day. Notice whether your dog has gas or not after they have cheese and if they do start finding an alternative. Test with a small chunk of cheddar or other low-lactose cheese.
Moving to cottage cheese, it is fermented and can be considered to be a lower lactose food. Though cottage cheese is safe, it is often mixed with additional milk products. So, pay close attention to the label on the kind that you purchase. The bland flavor of cottage cheese makes it an ideal alternative for dogs who are rebounding from a sick stomach. In addition to this, as cottage cheese is rich in calcium and protein, it is a good idea to include cottage cheese in your dog’s diet to help him shed those extra pounds.
Benefits of cheese for dogs
Cheese is rich in vitamin A, protein, calcium, essential fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins. So, it can definitely pack a calorie punch for your fur pal. Ensure to avoid overfeeding. If you are thinking about how much cheese a dog can eat, the answer is one ounce of cheese and one slice or a 1-inch cube of one-string cheese. As most dogs love cheese, trainers often use dog cheese bones as treats for motivating slouchy dogs. However, overfeeding can cause problems. Cottage cheese and plain yoghurt are generally safe for canines. Always keep in mind that despite the sad doe eyes of your dogs, you should definitely know what’s best for them.
Cheese, dogs, and medicine
Some dog owners also use dog cheese puffs to conceal pills for dogs so their pets can have the medicine without any fuss. You can camouflage medications like antibiotics using cheese and feed them to your dog. Just like humans, dogs find cheese irresistible, which makes cheese a fail-safe method of ingestion. Just ensure that you feed everything from sour cream to Swiss cheese in moderation, so that your dog can have the cheese and the medicine without any stomach issues.
Takeaway
The bottom line is yes your dog can eat cheese. This includes mozzarella, cheddar, and cottage cheese. However, as cheese is as fattening as it is tasty, moderation is the key. Remember that all food items are separate from your dog’s normal food. Cheese dog treats should never account for more than ten percent of your dog’s calorie intake because it can lead to weight gain and a host of other health conditions.
Need a cheese chew for your dog? How about you give Chewmeter a shot!