Let’s face it: one of the greatest food inventions known to man is cheese. It comes in all sorts of fun shapes, sizes, colors, and tastes. It’s both a comfort food and a healthy snack. Whether you’re eating it with crackers or adding it to your favorite dish, you can always rely on cheese. And that’s not to mention how well it pairs with wine! Plus, not only does it taste great, but it’s a good source of protein and calcium. In fact, you may find yourself wondering what cheese can’t do! You might even wonder, ‘can dogs eat cheese?’
For many dog owners, thinking about great foods like cheese leads to the inevitable question of whether or not you can share it with your pet. It’s natural to want to share with our furry friends. Not only does it make for exciting new treats, but it also provides a valuable bonding experience. Sharing food with your pet means sharing in something you both can enjoy.
However, being a responsible dog owner means knowing not every food can be shared with our canine buddies. What works for us may not work for them. In fact, some favorite human foods can be harmful or even lethal to dogs! Here at Furzly, we strive to put out information that can help pet owners to safely feed their pets. So if you’re asking yourself ‘can dogs eat cheese?’, have no fear! We’ve done all the digging for you!
Can Dogs Eat Cheese? The Sharp Truth!
If you’ve been dying to share some cheese with your dog, there’s good news! In most cases, cheese is a perfectly fine snack for dogs! In fact, cheese has been praised for some of the benefits it can provide. It’s not uncommon for dog owners to use cheese as training treats or simply small snacks for their dogs. So if you were hoping to split some cheese with your favorite fluff-ball, there’s cause to celebrate!
But wait! Before you jump to grab a block of cheddar, there are some things to consider. Like many foods, cheese has its own benefits as well as risks. Just like some foods are more dangerous for some humans than for others, the same can be true for dogs. Also like humans, too much of even the healthiest food can become bad for dogs, too! So while cheese is generally safe, it’s important to know what side effects cheese may have on your dog. To do this, let’s examine both the ups and downs of cheese.
When Cheese Goes Bad: The Risks of Feeding Your Dog Cheese
It might be hard to imagine that cheese could ever be bad. With all of its great qualities (and tastes!) it’s difficult to think of a world without cheese. But for some people, it’s more than a thought: it’s a reality. Many people suffer from lactose intolerance, a condition that affects the digestion of dairy. This means cheese isn’t always a simple go-to. Just like cheese poses its own risks to humans, it can also pose risks to canines.
Here at Furzly, we take pet health very seriously. In order to better answer the question ‘can dogs eat cheese?’, we’ve complied a list of some of its risks:Cheese is high in fat content- too much can lead to obesity in dogs
Some cheeses contain foods like onions, chives, and garlic- these are toxic to dogs!
High-fat diets can lead to pancreatitis in dogs
Just like humans can be lactose intolerant, so can dogs
Before offering cheese to your dog, it’s important to consider the risks. Is your dog at extra risk for obesity? Does the cheese your offering contain potentially harmful ingredients? Questions like these can be the difference between a healthy and potentially harmful- or lethal- diet.
In order to avoid some of these risks, its crucial to make sure that you are offering a healthy dose of a healthy cheese. Cheeses that are lighter in fat- such as mozzarella or goat cheese- are good options. Also be sure to check that there are no harmful herbs within the cheese. And most importantly, keep a close eye on your pet after offering them cheese. Certain signs- like upset stomach or weight gain- could suggest that cheese is not a good fit for your dog. It is recommended to speak with your veterinarian to formulate a healthy diet plan that meets your dog’s needs.
Cheese Benefits That Lead to a Gouda Time!
If you’re starting to doubt giving your dog cheese, there is some good news! For most dogs, cheese is a perfectly safe food option- as long as it’s provided in a safe way. Talking with a veterinarian can determine if cheese is safe for your dog. And if it is, there’s even better news! Despite its risks, cheese can provide many benefits to dogs. Here is a short list of some of the upsides to cheese:
- Cheese contains many health benefits, such as calcium, vitamin A, and protein
- A lot of dogs love cheese, making it a good option to use in training and rewards
- Many households already have cheese on hand, so it’s a quick and easy option
- Cheese is pretty mess-free and can be adjusted to the right size for your dog
While it’s important to asses the risks of cheese, it’s also good to know the potential benefits. As long as cheese is a healthy option for your dog, it might also be a helpful one. You may find that your furry friend can’t resist the taste, or that it makes for a good distraction from things like icky medicine. If this is the case, then you may have found the perfect treat for your dog! Just remember to choose the type and amount that works for your individual pet.
Final Thoughts
Now that we’ve gone over the pros and cons of feeding your dog cheese, we hope that we’ve answered your question of ‘can dogs eat cheese?’ Creating a beneficial diet is one of the most important parts of being a pet owner. Having knowledge of the foods that should or shouldn’t go into that diet is crucial. We at Furzly highly recommend speaking with a veterinarian to formulate the best possible diet for your best fluffy friend!