Almost everyone likes cheese. Most of the people used to add cheese to their every food. And cheese lovers concerned with their dog’s diet frequently asked the question: Can dogs eat cheese? Generally, the cheese is safe for dogs, and your dog can eat cheese, but the amount should be kept in moderation.
What is cheese?
Cheese is a product derived from milk. It contains milk proteins and fat. The essential ingredients involved in the preparation of cheese are:
- Milk
- Rennet (enzymes)
- Good bacteria
- Salt
With these ingredients, basic cheese can be obtained. The cheese is present in many different flavours. The good bacteria, rennet and salt, is added to milk and left for a specific period, and in this time, the solid material and the water get separated. The substantial part is gathered and further processed to make cheese. Cheese is a very nutritious and healthy dairy product.
Nutritional value of the cheese
Cheese is a product derived from milk, so it is highly nutritious. It provides several health benefits to humans and dogs. The calorie count in the cheese is very high. As the 100 grams of the cheese contain 402 calories. Other essential nutrients present in the cheese are as follows:
| Nutrients | Value in grams | %age daily value |
| Total fat | 33 grams | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 105 mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 621 mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 98 mg | 2% |
| Dietary fiber | 0 grams | 0% |
| Sugar | 0.5 grams | |
| Protein | 25 grams | 50% |
| Vitamin C | 0% | |
| Calcium | 72% | |
| Iron | 3% | |
| Vitamin D | 6% | |
| Vitamin B-6 | 5% | |
| Cobalamin | 13% | |
| Magnesium | 7% |
Is cheese safe for the dog?
The cheese is safe for the dogs to eat but only in a small amount. The cheese can provide a lot of health benefits to the dog, such as
- like it strengthens the bones of the dog.
- Improvs the muscular strength
- Provide essential minerals to the dog
- Provide vital vitamins to the dog.
These nutrients make the dog healthy and maintain excellent physiology of the dog.
Warnings about cheese to dog
The cheese is non-toxic and safe for dogs to eat, but you should know about the cheese while giving it to the dog.
High-fat content
The cheese is very high in fat content. This high-fat content in cheese can make it unfit for the dog. Because the dog overeats cheese, the dog can become obese. And obesity can become the cause of other diseases.
High salt content
The salt content in the cheese is also very high. The high salt content in the food can directly affect the kidney health of the dog. Because the salt content in the food will be increased, the kidney has to work more to remove the extra salt from the body. This high workload on the kidney can damage the kidneys badly.
Lactose intolerance in dogs
Some dogs are intolerant to lactose. Lactose sugar is present in the milk and all other products made with milk. Those dogs that are lactose intolerant cannot digest the milk or any other product made with milk. If the dog is intolerant to lactose and has eaten something made with milk, your dog can suffer from nausea, digestive upset, and vomiting.
So, you should first consult the vet before giving the cheese to the dog to confirm if your dog is lactose intolerant or not.
Flavoured cheese
There are so many cheese flavours present in the market. Some flavour of the cheese contains the garlic or onion ingredients. The garlic and onion are toxic to dogs; they can cause severe health issues to the dog. So, you should never offer your flavoured dog cheese because it can be dangerous for the dog.
Can dogs eat blue cheese?
The blue cheese is not suitable for dogs to eat because the fungi used in the manufacturing of the blue cheese can be hazardous for the dog’s health. It can be poisonous for dogs. So you should never offer the blue cheese to the dog.
Can a dog eat cottage cheese?
Cottage cheese is considered low in lactose. It does not cause severe stomach upset in the dog. It contains a high content of milk proteins. So, cottage cheese can be a good option for the dogs, but still, you have to keep the amount of cheese in moderation.
FAQs
Is cheese bad for dogs?
The cheese is generally safe for the dogs to eat but in moderation. Some dogs are lactose intolerant. In that case, the cheese is not suitable for the dog’s health. So you have to make sure that your dog is not lactose intolerant before giving the cheese or any milk product to the dog.
How much cheese is OK for dogs?
The amount of cheese given to dog depends on the type of cheese, and it also depends on the age, physiology, and weight of the dog. So, you should talk to the vet to know what amount of cheese is good for the dog.
Can blue cheese cause health risks to the dog?
Yes, blue cheese can cause health risks to the dog because the fungi used in the manufacturing of the blue cheese is toxic to the dog. So, you should never give blue cheese to the dog.
Conclusion
The cheese is loved by almost everyone. People love to add cheese to their every food. It is also very beneficial for the dog’s health. But the amount of fat and salt in the cheese is very high. So, you should never give too much cheese to the dog. Some dogs are lactose intolerant, and if your dog is intolerant and you give the cheese or any other milk product to the lactose intolerant dog. Then it can cause health risks to the dog.
So, it will be wiser to consult the vet before giving the cheese to the dog. It will make to know how much cheese is safe for the dog. And it will also make you know that is your dog is lactose intolerant or not.
