Love for cheese is universal. Hence, it doesn’t matter what form of cheese you love to consume the most. You may love gulping down a couple of cheddar cubes or a slice of pizza at a go. One thing you notice is your fur angel staring at it for sure.
Their look can mean only one thing – sharing is caring. So, even as your little one keeps staring at you with those puppy eyes, you may wonder if it is right to give them cheese.
You surely can do so. However, it would be best if you did so in moderation – this applies to all your treats. Also, you must avoid cheese if there is any chance it may cause health issues for your baby.
Can Dog Eat Cheese? Is Cheese Safe For Dogs?
As a food, cheese is full of nutrients such as vitamins A, K2, and B12, to name a few. It also contains Omega 3 fatty acids. As far as humans are concerned, cheese is a great way to fulfill the daily requirement of nutrients such as calcium, fat, and protein.
We all know – including our dogs – that cheese tastes great. However, the question often asked is -Is cheese good for dogs? Experts say that a small amount of cheese is good for them. However, it is always better to avoid this particular group as it can cause stomach upset.
The thing with pets is that they do not have the amount of lactase in the human body. It is an enzyme supposed to help you digest dairy products.
Foods such as cheese that contain lactose could lead to health issues such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. Such foods can sometimes lead to pancreatitis if they have a lot of fat content.
Read Also: 10 Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat – Toxic food for dogs
The types of cheese that are safe for dogs
The thing with cheese is that it comes in different shapes, colors, textures, and ages. Since there are so many options for you, choosing the right one for your dog could indeed be stressful.
Therefore, you need to consider the types of cheese that are low in lactose but fats too. Certain types of cheese, such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, Swiss cheese, and cheddar, are safe for dogs.
The types of cheese that are not safe for dogs
As we have said already, some types of cheese are good for your dog. On the other hand, you have ones, not good for your baby. If the cheese is old, herby, and moldy, you should avoid giving it to your dog. Following are the types of cheese that are not at all safe for dogs:
- Blue cheese
- cheese that has seasonings such as garlic and herbs
- goat cheese
- Brie
- feta cheese
All these types of cheese pose several risks for your little one.
What is the right amount of cheese for your dog?
Assuming you are not intolerant to lactose, you can have cheese every day of your life. However, what is the time when you stop giving cheese to your best friend? Doctors say they should never be given more than a few small cheese bites daily.
A lot depends on how big they are and how tolerant to lactose they are. Some dogs are unable to deal with cheese. Larger dogs usually have it a bit better.
Read Also: 6 Things to Consider When Buying Dog Food and Accessories Online
Using cheese to feed medicines to your dog
Is your dog afraid of taking medicines? In that case, you can use the likes of cheese to make the experience a lot more bearable for them. However, doctors say that even you should choose low-fat content that is more flexible and softer.
Place the pill within the cheese and squish it. It will make sure your furball is unable to either smell it or see it as such. They recommend you give them two bites of the cheese – packaging the pill in the second one – so that they are less suspicious.