How Much Cheese Can I Give My Dog?
Dogs usually love cheese because the snack offers a lot of flavor. It can also be a good source of nutrients like protein and other vitamins, as well. You can even use cheese as a treat when your dog does a good thing! But have you ever wondered if it’s safe to feed your dog cheese?
It’s safe to say that cheese is harmless and isn’t toxic for your dog. However, some dogs may be lactose intolerant (which can lead to diarrhea), or some types of cheese may be better to give to your dog than others. It is also important not to use cheese as a main source of nutrients for your pet. If you aren’t sure if your dog is lactose intolerant, then you can try feeding it small nibbles of cheese and other dairy products to see how your pet takes it. Some kinds of cheese are easier for your dog to digest than other rich varieties.
Benefits of Cheese and the Proper Way of Feeding
As previously mentioned, cheese has various nutrients like protein, vitamin A, calcium, vital fatty acids, and even B-complex which can be beneficial for your pet. Dogs usually love it and, as an owner, you can use cheese to motivate your pet by giving it as a treat. If your dog needs to ingest some medication and you have problems getting your dog to take it, you can mix it with cheese.
Even though we know that it is safe to feed cheese to your dog, too much of it can have some negative effects. It is important to know that cheese is rich in fat and too much of it can lead to weight gain for your beloved pet. This weight gain can lead to obesity. What’s worse is that too much cheese can lead to pancreatitis, which is a serious medical condition for your dog.
When buying or feeding cheese to your pet, make sure that it isn’t mixed with other toxic foods like garlic or onions. At the end of the day, it is better to feed your dog just the right amount of cheese and stick to the low-fat ones, like goat cheese, mozzarella, or cottage cheese. Because cottage cheese has less fat, lactose, and sodium, it lessens the risk or potential for obesity and lessens the possibility of upsetting your dog’s stomach, as well.
If you are planning on giving cheese to your puppy, make sure that you test how they react to eating it first. Make sure you introduce the taste of cheese by giving your puppy small amounts, ensuring that it doesn’t upset your pet or its stomach. If you notice a problem, make sure that you contact your veterinarian right away.
Thinking of ways you can feed cheese to your dog? You can have the option of giving it to your pet raw or cooking it. If you want your dog to have it raw, you can feed it to your pet in small cubes and use it as a treat. As for your pup’s home-cooked meals, maybe you can add it to their favorite biscuit or as a dog food topper on their favorite meal.