Cheese is a bit of a mystery. No one really knows when it was first made as its origins predate recorded history. We aren’t even sure how many different types exist globally, but what we do know is that dogs love cheese. But is it safe for our dogs? Can dogs eat cheese?
With over 35lbs of the stuff per capita per year being eaten in the USA and 26lbs in the UK, it’s not surprising that our dogs want a piece of the action too.
Since there aren’t many dogs that would refuse a bit of cheese, it’s good to know the benefits and risks of giving it to your dog.
Can I give my dog cheese, the benefits
Cheese can be a tasty treat for your dog and a powerful training tool. It’s a great source of protein, calcium, vitamin A and zinc.
It’s important to pick wisely, though. Many varieties have added ingredients, including fruit, nuts, or garlic, that can be toxic to dogs, so if you want to share it, opt for something plain.
As with any food, if your dog has never tried cheese before, it is good to introduce a small piece first. Always monitor your dog after eating something new to make sure that there are no adverse effects.
The risks of giving your dog cheese
Although a few cubes of cheese may be a great treat for your dog, you should be careful. While most cheese isn’t toxic to dogs, avoid blue cheese as the mold can make dogs very ill. However, some dogs don’t tolerate cheese very well.
Lactose Intolerant
Despite many people thinking that it is the lactose content that causes the issue, cheese has relatively low levels than other dairy products.
The easiest way to tell the lactose level of a particular type is to check the label. Since lactose is the sugar found in milk, you can compare the levels in different varieties easily. For example, if choosing a simple cheddar, it has a very low lactose level of between 0 and 0.2 grams. However, if your dog is lactose intolerant, even a small amount can cause digestive issues, and it’s best to avoid dairy products completely.
High-Fat content
The biggest issue with cheese not being tolerated well is the high saturated fat content. If you have an elderly dog or a dog with an existing health condition such as Pancreatitis, it’s best to keep completely clear of it and choose something else entirely.
If your dog is in perfect health, but you want to err on the side of caution, then you can choose low-fat cheese to feed your dog. Since there are so many types of cheese to choose from, you should easily find low-fat cheeses like mozzarella or cottage cheese.
By far, the greater concern is that of calories. Just one ounce contains around 90 calories. As obesity in dogs reaches an almost epidemic level, you might want to consider cheese a rare treat rather than an everyday occurrence.
So, can dogs eat cheese?
Yes, dogs can eat cheese. You can add it to your dog’s diet in small amounts.
The most likely problem you will have if you give your dog a bit too much cheese is a dog with an upset tummy that doesn’t smell very nice!
Cheese can be handy when used in training as most dogs love it, but remember to count those calories! You need to adjust your dog’s daily food allowance if you’ve indulged them a bit too much.
Most dogs will happily wolf down as much cheese as they can get hold of. However, if you fancy making some homemade treats that are less messy and a bit easier to carry around, then why not try one of the recipes below:
Cheese Dog Treats
Ingredients:
- 250g (9oz) plain flour
- 160g (5½ oz) grated Cheddar cheese
- 120ml (4 fl oz) vegetable oil
- 4–5 tbsp water
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F, Gas 6).
- Combine the flour, cheese, garlic, and vegetable oil and whizz in a food processor until the mixture is the consistency of a coarse meal.
- With the processor running, slowly add the water until the mixture forms a ball.
- Make a cardboard pattern of a dog bone about 4in long, or use a dog bone cookie cutter if you have one.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces, roll out each piece to ½in thick and cut out the bone shapes.
- Bake on an ungreased baking tray in the preheated oven for 10–15 minutes or until the cookies’ bottoms are lightly browned.
- Carefully transfer the bones to a wire rack to cool, then refrigerate in an airtight container.
Basic Cheese Stick Treats
Ingredients:
- 3 cups flour
- 1 1/2 cups of cheese ( cheddar and mozzarella work well)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup of water or chicken broth
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a cookie sheet.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and cheese.
- Slowly add the egg and water, and mix thoroughly into the dough.
- Roll the dough out and cut it into bite-sized stick pieces.
- Place them, slightly separated, on the cookie sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Remove and cool on a wire cooling rack, or leave them in the oven to cool to make them crisper
Liver and Cottage Cheese dog treat recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. beef liver
- 2 large eggs (wash shells if you are going to include them)
- 1 cup fat-free cottage cheese
- 1 1/2 cups wheat germ
- 3 cups wheat flour
- Additional flour for rolling
Instructions:
Tip: It is easier to cut liver (and other meats) while slightly frozen.
- Preheat oven to 300° F
- Rinse liver and cut into 1-inch pieces (see the note above).
- In a 2-quart saucepan, bring liver and one cup of water to a boil over high heat.
- Cover, reduce heat and simmer until the liver is no longer pink— approximately 5 minutes.
- Reserve cooking liquid.
- In a blender or food processor, puree the liver and eggs (if you are going to include the eggshells, now is the time to do so).
- Add reserved cooking liquid, as needed, to assist the puree process and keep the ingredients moving.
- Spoon liver mixture into a bowl.
- Stir in the cottage cheese, wheat germ, flour, and any remaining cooking liquid.
- Knead dough until it no longer feels sticky.
- Roll out into 1/2″ thickness and cut with dog cookie cutters.
- Place on a greased cookie sheet.
- Another option: Drop a tablespoon of dough onto a greased cookie sheet. Slightly flatten the ball with a fork to make a dog cookie.
- Bake for one hour.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before serving to your dog.
Once the liver dog treats are cooled, they should not leave a residue when touched. If they do, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until completely hard, and no residue remains.