- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Can my dog eat cheese? Our dogs would give an enthusiastic yes. For most dogs, as long as they don’t show signs of dairy intolerance, a bit of cheese here and there as a treat won’t harm them. But while some cheeses are not toxic to dogs, a simple “yes” doesn’t quite cover the canine relationship with cheese.
So, should you start slicing off chunks of cheese? Hold the cheese knife—there are a couple of factors to consider: your dog’s general health, such as weight and digestive health; the amount of cheese; and the types of cheese (some cheeses are unsafe for dogs to consume, period!)—can make a difference, too.
Lactose intolerance in dogs
Just like humans, some dogs are incapable of digesting lactose, a sugar found in dairy. Also like humans, lactose intolerance in dogs can be very mild or severe. Trust us, if your dog can’t tolerate dairy, you’ll know. If you’ve never fed your dog milk or cheese before, caution is best. Test with a small amount of cheese first, lest you face the stinky wrath of a dog’s upset belly—which, trust us, no one wants to deal with.
If your dog begins showing signs that they’re having an allergic reaction, stop feeding them anything dairy until you can determine if it really was the cheese that caused the reaction. A consultation with your vet may also be in order to avoid any dangerous reactions.
Blue-veined cheese is a no-go!
Blue cheeses are off the menu when it comes to dogs. Why? Because cheeses with fungus create roquefortine, a substance that can be toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting and seizures. Common types of blue cheeses to avoid are:
- Danish Blue
- Roquefort
- Stilton
- Cabrales
- Gorgonzola
Should your dog accidentally ingest one of these cheeses, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Can my dog eat cheddar cheese? Mozzarella?
Aged cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, and Swiss contain very little lactose, and therefore shouldn’t cause as much stomach upset as, say, full-fat mozzarella. It really depends on your dog, and how much cheese you’re giving them throughout the day. If you notice that your dog has gas after you give them cheese (believe us, you’ll know), you may want to find an alternative. If you find that it only happened after they ate that lovely cheesecake you left on the counter, it may be all right to test out a small chunk of cheddar or other low-lactose cheese.
What about cottage cheese?
Cottage cheese is fermented and can be considered to be a lower lactose food. (Though it’s often mixed with additional milk products, so pay attention to the label on the kind you purchase.) Its bland flavor makes it an ideal food for dogs rebounding from a sick stomach. Plus, it’s high in calcium and protein. It’s also high in fat and calories, so share sparingly or avoid sharing cottage or any kind of cheese if your dog is carrying extra pounds.
Most dogs can eat cheese. Should they?
While cheese can be a healthy, protein-packed treat with Vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, and essential fatty acids, it can pack a caloric punch. Avoid overfeeding and try to vary treats. Things that are generally safe for canines include cottage cheese and plain yogurt. Despite your dog’s sad doe eyes, you definitely know what’s best. Again, be sure to confirm your dog can handle even small amounts of dairy before committing to feeding him or her cheesy treats.
DogFoodAdvisor.com has a handy guide available here on the amount of lactose found in common dairy products. From Swiss cheese to sour cream, this useful graph will help you navigate the world of dogs and dairy.
Cheese, dogs, and medicine
Have a fussy dog that won’t take his pills? Cheese is widely recognized as a way to camouflage medications, excluding antibiotics. Very much like humans, dogs find cheese irresistible, making it a fail-safe method of ingestion.
In addition, blending equal parts cottage cheese and cooked white rice together can help your dog recover from a touchy stomach. Cheese can also be helpful to liven up prescription food if your dog isn’t showing interest. (Please check with your vet to make sure this is a good idea. Some prescription diets depend on strict compliance to work.)
Serving suggestions
How much cheese should you feed your dog? The answer, of course, depends on the size of your dog, how well your dog handles cheese, and their overall diet. That said, here are some ideas:
- Small bits of cheddar or mozzarella can be helpful when training or as an occasional reward.
- Add a little cottage cheese to your dog’s usual food.
- Serve a small amount of cottage cheese on its own as an occasional treat.
- When administering non-antibiotic pills, use just enough cheese to cover the pill.
- Treats are meant as an occasional food. Practice moderation when feeding your dog dairy products.
Can dogs eat cheese? Bottom line:
- Yes, technically, your dog can eat cheese, including cheddar, mozzarella and cottage cheese. However, your dog should not consume any blue-veined cheeses, including Dutch blue, Stilton, Roquefort, Cabrales, or Gorgonzola, as it can be toxic for dogs.
- Because cheese is as fattening as it is tasty, moderation is key.
- Make sure your dog isn’t lactose intolerant before you start giving cheese as treats.
- Cheese is great to hide medications in, but not antibiotics!
Essentially, as long as you’re responsible in your cheese purveying, you should be good as gold.
Further Reading
We have tons of articles about which foods are safe or dangerous for your dog, from common snacks to fruits; check out more below.
- Can Dogs Drink Milk? We’ve Reviewed What You Need to Know About Giving Milk to Your Dog
- Can My Dog Eat Seafood?
- Can My Dog Eat Chips? How Junk Food Can Harm Your Dog
- Can My Dog Eat Table Scraps?
The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional veterinary help.