Can Dogs Eat Cheese?
Yes, in small amounts. Fresh, low-fat cheeses are the best option as a treat; aged cheeses have more salt and fat, and blue cheese or cheese with garlic or herbs should not be given.
What it gives your dog
Cheese provides protein, calcium and plenty of flavor, which is why it works so well for training or hiding a pill. It has three drawbacks. Lactose: many adult dogs digest milk sugar poorly, although cheese has much less than milk and aged cheeses almost none. Fat: an aged cheese is 30-35 % fat, and too much can cause diarrhea or pancreatitis. And salt: aged and semi-aged cheeses contain 1.5-2 g per 100 g or more.
Fresh cheeses (cottage cheese, ricotta, fresh mozzarella, Spanish queso de Burgos) are lower in fat and salt, although they keep a bit more lactose. Blue cheeses, such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola or Stilton, can contain roquefortine C, a mycotoxin produced by the mold Penicillium roqueforti to which dogs seem to be sensitive. And cream cheeses or cheeses with herbs can contain garlic or onion.
How to serve it
- Fresh cheeses are best: cottage cheese, ricotta or fresh mozzarella, diced
- Aged or semi-aged cheese only as a very occasional treat, in small pieces
- No garlic, onion, herbs, pepper or nuts
- Useful for hiding pills, always in a small piece
How much can they eat?
As a treat, no more than 10 % of the day's calories: small dog (under 10 kg / 22 lb), 5-10 g of fresh cheese a day (2-3 half-inch cubes); medium dog (10-25 kg / 22-55 lb), 10-20 g (about 0.5 oz); large dog (over 25 kg / 55 lb), 20-30 g (about 1 oz). If it is aged, half that. A 1.5 cm (half-inch) cube weighs about 3-4 g.
Risks
- Lactose intolerance: gas and diarrhea
- Fat: diarrhea and pancreatitis in sensitive dogs
- Salt in aged and semi-aged cheeses
- Blue cheeses: roquefortine C
- Cheeses with garlic, onion, herbs or nuts
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat cottage cheese?
Yes, it is one of the best cheeses for them: mild and lower in salt and fat than an aged cheese. Use a spoonful as a topper or a treat, and choose low-sodium versions if you can. It contains a bit more lactose than aged cheeses, so if dairy upsets your dog, try a small amount first and check their stools the next day. Low-fat versions are lighter still.
Can puppies eat cheese?
Yes, in very small pieces as a training treat, ideally fresh cheese. Puppies digest lactose well while nursing, but that ability drops after weaning, so start small and watch their stools. What is not a good idea is basing all their treats on cheese: it is high in calories and adds up faster than you think.
Can dogs eat aged cheese or cheese rind?
Aged cheese, only in very small pieces and occasionally, because of the salt and fat. Rind is best avoided: many are wax or plastic, others contain preservatives such as natamycin or are rubbed with paprika and oil, and natural rinds can have molds. If your dog ate the wax rind of a cheese, watch for vomiting or constipation in case it causes a blockage.
General information reviewed against veterinary sources. If your dog has eaten something that worries you, call your vet or a 24-hour emergency vet right away, without waiting for symptoms.