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Can Dogs Eat Cheese? (Yes or No?)

Yes, cheese is fine for most dogs in small amounts. Hard and semi-hard cheeses (Gouda, Emmental) contain little lactose and are well tolerated. Do not give blue cheese, seasoned cheese or cheese with garlic or onions. Cheese works well as a training treat but is high in calories.

3 min read
A happy dog with pointy ears and a turquoise bandana in a flat illustration.

Are our beloved dogs allowed to eat cheese? You've probably observed your dog sniffing cheese with interest or maybe even trying to eat some. But is it really healthy for our dogs?

Can Dogs Eat Cheese?

Yes, but with some restrictions. In small quantities, cheese can be safe for dogs, but it is important to pay attention to the fat and salt content.

Pay attention.

But as mentioned before, everything in moderation. Too much cheese can cause stomach problems because it contains fat and salt. That's why you should make sure your dog doesn't eat too much cheese at once. Some dogs are also lactose intolerant, which means they don't tolerate dairy products well. If your dog gets a stomachache or diarrhea after eating cheese, you should stop giving him cheese.

Health benefits of cheese

Cheese has many benefits for your dog's health. It is a good source of calcium, which is good for your dog's bones and teeth, and protein, which helps build muscle. Cheese also contains vitamins and minerals that are important for your dog's overall health.

Cheese can be useful in certain situations. For example, if your dog needs to take medication, a small piece of cheese can help hide the pill so your dog can swallow it more easily.

Recipe ideas with cheese

If you want to feed your dog with cheese, you can try a few simple recipes. Among other things, you can give small pieces of cheese pure or mix it into the food. Make sure you choose low-fat and unsalted cheese, like cottage cheese or mozzarella. In our Hundeo app you will find even more great recipes for your dog.

Summary

We would like to reiterate that cheese is edible for dogs if you keep a few things in mind. Make sure that your dog does not eat too much cheese and choose low-fat and unsalted cheese.

Quick Quiz

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Why is blue cheese dangerous for dogs?

Frequently Asked Questions

Veterinarian Mag.med.vet. Emin Jasarevic

Written by

Veterinarian Mag.med.vet. Emin Jasarevic

Veterinarian & Medical Author

Mag.med.vet. (Veterinary Medicine)Practicing VeterinarianCo-Author of the Hunde Gesundheits Bibel

Veterinarian Mag.med.vet. Emin Jasarevic creates medically accurate articles and videos on animal health topics. He is co-author of the Hunde Gesundheits Bibel and ensures professionally correct content at Hundeo.

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