When you have a dog who loves to have savory treats as a reward, then you’ve probably asked your vet the questions “can dogs eat mozzarella cheese?” or “can dogs eat almonds?“. Unlike humans, canines are especially sensitive to many types of food. Certain ingredients may cause an upset stomach while some food items can be fatal to them.
As a dog parent, it is your full responsibility to know which food is safe and unsafe for your furry pal. Cheese, on the other hand, can be both healthy and unhealthy for dogs.
If you are thinking about giving cheese as a little treat for your pup every now and then, below is a rundown of things you need to know.
The Nutritional Benefits of Cheese
Cheese contains loads of nutritional benefits that can boost your dog’s overall health. Generally, cheese contains calcium and vitamin A which help boost bone health. It also contains vitamin B12 which can help develop nervous system functions. Moreover, cheese also contains zinc, phosphorus, and protein.
Just like avocados, cheese also contains essential fatty acids which help for a healthy coat and fur. It also has sodium which can also be beneficial to your dog’s well-being. However, too much sodium and fat can also cause a number of health problems for canines.
Aside from the nutrients cheese offers, dog trainers also use cheese as treats during training. Additionally, cheese as a snack is also a clever way to conceal pills if your dog is under medication.
When feeding your dog with cheese, make sure to only serve them with tiny bits. Moreover, make sure to ask your veterinarian first which type of cheese is safe for your tail-wagger friend.
Good Cheese to Give Your Dogs
You have probably asked the question “can dogs eat cheddar cheese?” a number of times before. Dogs love cheese, especially cheddar, due to its savory taste. The good news is that cheddar cheese as well as string cheese are both safe to give to dogs. These types of cheese are safe to give as snacks in small bits since they have lower lactose content compared to the other types.
Moreover, aged cheeses such as parmesan and swiss also have very low lactose content which makes them safe to give as treats. On the other hand, Mozzarella also contains low lactose but it has very high-fat content, thus do make sure to only give it to your dog in very small portions.
Can Dogs Eat Cottage Cheese?
Fortunately, cottage cheese is one of the best types of cheese to feed your furry friend for a number of good reasons. It contains lower fat and sodium content which helps in reducing the risk of obesity. According to DogPack, this type of cheese is also safe for non-lactose intolerant dogs and is also the least harmful type due to its minimal fat and sodium content. Additionally, cottage cheese is also a good source of protein.
The Types of Cheese You Should Not Give to Your Dog
Based on an article from the American Kennel Club, high-fat cheeses and cheeses containing herbs or ingredients unsafe for dogs such as garlic may cause intestinal troubles. Moreover, below is a list of the types of cheese you must not give your dogs in order to avoid gaining too much weight and gastrointestinal problems.
1. French cheeses such as Roquefort and blue cheese
It is advised to avoid these types of cheese mainly because of their high-fat content. Can dogs eat blue cheese? Unfortunately, it is not safe for dogs because when blue cheese overripes, it may produce roquefortine, a substance which is toxic and lethal for dogs.
Furthermore, French cheeses tend to have the highest sodium content compared to other types.
2. Cheese containing garlic, flavoring, and herbs
A lot of cheese types such as cream cheese and Havarti contain garlic or herbs for an enhanced flavor, so it is strongly advised to skip these types. Additionally, these cheeses may also contain additives that are poisonous for dogs.
3. Goat cheese, brie, and feta cheese
Although these types of cheese taste very delicious, you must keep it away from your dogs. They contain very high saturated fat levels which can lead to excessive gain weight and may also lead to pancreatitis among dogs.
The Health Risks of Feeding Your Dog Too Much Cheese
Gastrointestinal Issues
Instead of asking people on the internet the question “can dogs eat parmesan cheese?”, it would be better to go straight to your local vet to get professional advice. Although there are certain types of cheese that are safe for dogs, some dogs are lactose intolerant which means they should not be given any dairy product at all.
Excessive Weight Gain
As mentioned earlier, certain types of cheese have very high-fat content which then leads to rapid weight gain among dogs. Therefore, when giving cheese as a snack or treat, make sure to only give it in small bits.
Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is a medical condition that involves a sudden inflammation in the pancreas. Based on a study by Pet Health Network, there are several causes of pancreatitis among dogs, one of which is a high-fat diet. If you regularly feed your pet with cheese, it will eventually gain excessive weight which then leads to obesity or the worst case, acute pancreatitis.
Conclusion
There you have it – those are the things you ought to know if you have a pup who loves a cheesy snack. Although some of the types of cheese mentioned above are safe, moderation is still extremely important. Furthermore, since dogs tend to be sensitive with several food items, you must do your diligence and research other foods which you must keep your dogs away from.