Pets seem to have a special antenna just for the sound of cheese being opened or pulled from the fridge. Universally loved, cheese is creamy, delicious, and satisfying to humans and animals alike.
Many pets sneak cheese or receive it as a treat, but just because they like it, doesn’t mean they should eat it on a regular basis.
Delicate Balance
Pets can be incredibly intolerant of lactose and cannot properly digest the sugars found in dairy products. As a result, pets should not eat large quantities of cheese or consume it as part of their routine. Watch out for stomach upset, diarrhea or reluctance to engage in normal daily activities.
Similarly, dairy products can add many extra calories to a pet’s diet. Extra weight gain and heart conditions are possible side effects of eating cheese, as well as irritation to the pancreas, causing a potentially life-threatening condition known as pancreatitis.
On the Other Hand
Pet owners everywhere will regularly use cheese to help give pets medication or as a special treat. Luckily, small amounts of certain types of cheese can have certain benefits including:
- Essential fatty acids
- B-complex vitamins
- Vitamin A
- Protein
- Calcium
When Pets Eat Cheese
It is important not to overfeed cheese, and to reduce the amount of food in their regular meals to offset the calories.
Cottage cheese is low in lactose, fat and sodium, making it one of the most palatable cheeses out there for pets and their people. Cheddar, American and Mozzarella are usually fan favorites among the pet set.
Sharing Is Caring
There aren’t too many foods that pets and humans equally enjoy, but cheese is certainly one of them. And as long as you exercise caution and restraint when sharing dairy goodness with your pet, they can safely digest it.
As always, if you have additional questions about your pets dietary needs we encourage you to contact us!
Key Takeaways
- Dogs can eat certain types of cheese in moderation as an occasional treat
- Consider factors like lactose intolerance and potential additives when offering cheese to your dog
- Opt for low-fat, plain cheese varieties and avoid heavily processed or flavored ones