Can dogs eat cheese?

Is cheese bad for dogs? The key considerations 

Some cheese can be incorporated into your dog’s diet as a very occasional treat, but it’s certainly not something that should be considered ‘good’ or healthy for dogs. And there are some potential dangers of dogs eating cheese, especially certain types, or if your dog has some health conditions which we’ll outline further in this guide. 

Lactose intolerance in dogs 

A lot of dogs will develop lactose intolerance. They produce an enzyme so they are able to digest their mother’s milk as puppies as it contains less lactose than cow’s milk (1) However your dog may lose this enzyme over time, and that’s when they develop lactose intolerance. 

Symptoms of lactose intolerance include: 

• Bloating 
• Excess gas 
• Abdominal pain 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 

High fat content 

Just like in us humans, eating a lot of high fat foods can lead to weight gain in our dogs too. This can lead to a range of health issues including pancreatitis which is an incredibly painful, and in severe cases fatal, disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. 

Dogs with pancreatitis need to follow a low fat diet, so if your dog already has the condition, it’s important that they don’t eat cheese, even as an occasional treat. 

High salt (sodium) content 

Another ingredient that’s often in high amounts in cheese that our dogs should avoid eating is sodium. Too much salt can lead to dehydration, high blood pressure and even sodium poisoning. 

That being said, dogs with heart or kidney conditions should avoid cheese as the sodium can make these conditions worse. 

Toxic added ingredients 

Some cheeses have ingredients added for extra flavour which – though delicious to us – are toxic to dogs. These include onion, chives, some nuts, raisins and more. Learn more about what foods are poisonous and toxic to dogs. 

Is cheese good for dogs?

It might not be the healthiest food for dogs, but as an occasional treat, and providing that your dog doesn’t suffer from any illnesses such as pancreatitis then it’s safe to give your dog cheese as an occasional treat. 

Cheese does however contain some beneficial nutrients like protein, calcium and vitamin A. And if your dog is food motivated, it can be a great high value reward for learning a new trick or skill. 

What cheese can dogs eat?

Cottage cheese and ricotta 

Lower in fat and salt than other cheeses, both cottage cheese and ricotta are high in protein and calcium which are both beneficial to your dog’s health. 

How to serve: Add a small spoonful to their regular food 

Cheddar, red leicester, edam, gouda 

These hard cheeses are considered safe for dogs as they have a lower level of lactose. 

The catch: They are high in fat and so should only be given very occasionally and in very small amounts. 

Wensleydale 

You can offer your dog small amounts of plain wensleydale cheese as an occasional treat. 

Caution: Wensleydale often has added fruits for flavour like cranberry which can add to the sugar content so make you choose the plain kind. 

Mozzarella 

This cheese is another option that’s lower in fat and salt compared to lots of other options. 

Caution: Choose plain, fresh mozzarella, not the pre-shredded processed kind you would normally add to pizza. 

Emmental (Swiss cheese) 

This cheese is naturally very low in lactose and so many dogs can tolerate it well unless they have an extreme lactose intolerance. 

The catch: Emmental is considered a medium fat cheese so should only be offered in small amounts. 

Goat’s and sheep’s milk cheeses (eg manchego) 

Often easier to digest than cow’s milk, you may find that your dog can tolerate these cheeses more than things like cheddar. 

The catch: They are still high in fat and should only be offered in moderation. 

Parmesan 

This hard cheese is low in lactose so tends to be easier to digest. 

Caution: It can be very very high in salt so should be used extremely sparingly. 

Cheese strings 

A processed form of mozzarella, cheese strings are low in lactose and tend to be low in salt. 

The catch: This is a processed food and while technically safe for dogs in very small amounts, fresh is best. 

Yak cheese chews (Himalayan chews)

A hard, long-lasting chew made from yak’s milk, these durable chews are high in protein, low in lactose and help keep your dog’s teeth clean too. 

Pro tip: Dogs love to chew on these, but as they chew they (of course) get smaller which can be a choking hazard. However these smaller pieces can be microwaved so they puff up and become safe to eat again. Simply: 

• Soak the chew in warm water for a few minutes to help it puff up more evenly
• Microwave it for about 30-60 seconds
• Let it cool completely then offer it to your dog as a crunchy snack 

Cheeses you should never feed your dog

Now we’ve covered the cheese your dog can eat, let’s go over some that should never be offered to your dog. 

Blue cheese (eg stilton, roquefort) 

You should never feed your dog blue cheese as the fungus that is used to make it blue contains roquefortine C which is toxic to dogs. 

Symptoms of toxicity include: vomiting, diarrhoea, high temperature and seizures. This is considered a medical emergency and you should seek immediate veterinary attention for your dog. 

Brie and high-fat soft cheeses 

It is not recommended that you offer your dog brie or other high fat soft cheeses as high amounts of fat can increase the risk of pancreatitis. 

Cream cheese

Flavoured varieties of cream cheese often contain things like chives and onions which are toxic to dogs. Plain cream cheese isn’t toxic in itself, but it is very high in fat, low in nutrients and it’s not advisable to offer any to your dog. 

High-salt cheeses (feta, halloumi) 

No, these should not be offered to your dog as high amounts of salt can lead to dehydration, high blood pressure and salt toxicity. 

Signs of salt toxicity include: depression, weakness, muscle tremors, and seizures. This is a medical emergency and your dog should be taken to the vet immediately for treatment. 

Smoked cheese 

This is not recommended as the smoked flavour is often added artificially. There is also very limited nutritional value in smoked cheese relative to non-smoked varieties. 

Truffle cheese 

Many truffle cheeses get their flavouring by artificial oils which are not suitable for dogs. And if the cheese contains natural truffle, this can cause gastrointestinal issues. 

Vegan cheese

Though it’s lactose free, vegan cheese is very highly processed and not suitable for dogs. It can also contain high-fat oils, high amounts of salt, and can be made from nuts, some of which are toxic for dogs. 

What about popular UK cheese brands? 

Babybel cheese

This is a type of edam cheese which is safe to offer your dog in moderation. However the waxy coating is a massive choking hazard and can cause intestinal blockages too so it must be completely removed. 

Philadelphia cream cheese 

While the plain, full fat version isn’t toxic to dogs, it’s very high in fat and it’s not recommended as a treat. It’s also not recommended to offer the light versions as these often have added sugars. Avoid flavoured versions completely as flavourings like chive and onions are toxic to dogs. 

Dairylea cheese 

It is not recommended that you offer this highly processed cheese spread to dogs as they are high in fat, salt and preservatives. 

Primula cheese 

Another highly processed spreadable cheese, this brand is not recommended for dogs as it is high in fat, salt and preservatives. They also come in flavoured forms which should be avoided due to risks of toxicity. 

Why do dogs love cheese so much? 

Because it’s delicious. Dogs like cheese because it’s salty and it’s fatty which makes for a tasty flavour combination. 

Best ways to give cheese to your dog 

There are several ways you can incorporate small amounts of cheese into your dog’s diet. 

As a high-value training treat 

If your dog is particularly food driven, offer small cubes of cheese as a reward for nailing difficult commands like recall, or a new tough trick. We suggest opting for cheese like cheddar or mozzarella. 

For enrichment 

To keep your dog occupied, try adding a very small amount of soft cheese like plain cream cheese, or better yet cottage cheese to the inside of an enrichment toy or slow feeder. 

For scent work training 

Dogs have powerful noses, so even the less smelly cheeses have a much stronger scent to them. Making them perfect for scent training. Try adding a couple of small cubes into a snuffle mat, or hide them around the room for your dog to sniff out. 

As a food topper 

Very fussy dogs can be encouraged to eat by adding a very small amount of cheese to their meals such as parmesan. However as we’ve discussed earlier in this guide, this should only ever be a tiny amount as parmesan is high in salt, and it should definitely not become a regular part of their diet. 

How much cheese can a dog eat? 

To reiterate, cheese should only form a small amount of your dog’s diet. Treats in general should only make up 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake, for reference, a medium sized dog should eat a cube no bigger than your thumb nail. 

Cheese is not the best option to make up the full 10% as there are lots of alternatives which will provide more health benefits to your dog, alongside being a tasty treat. This table gives a rough idea of how much cheese is safe for your dog to eat. 

Dog size	Amount	Frequency
Extra small (eg Chihuahuas. Pomeranians)	1-2 pea sized pieces	A couple of times a week at most
Small (eg Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Maltese)	1-2 small cubes, around ½ cm large	A couple of times a week at most
Medium (eg Springer Spaniel, Border Collie, Bulldog)	3-4 cubes	A couple of times a week at most
Large (eg German Shepherd, Greyhound, Boxer)	5-6 cubes	A couple of times a week at most
Extra large (eg Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Dane)	7-8 cubes	A couple of times a week at most

Can dogs eat cheese every day? 

No. It is not recommended that your dog eats cheese everyday as most dogs do not tolerate dairy well which can lead to stomach issues, it’s high in fat, can be high in salt and offers relatively low nutritional benefit. 

Can puppies eat cheese? 

While puppies can eat cheese, you should be careful with the amount as their digestive systems will still be developing and there can be more risk of it causing issues such as vomiting or diarrhoea. Only ever offer small amounts of cheese to your puppy and only as a very occasional treat. 

My dog ate a whole block of cheese! What should I do?

A step-by-step guide for panicked owners: 

• Step 1: Stay calm, check what kind of cheese it is 
• Step 2: If it was blue cheese or a cheese containing other toxic ingredients then call your vet immediately 
• Step 3: If it was a non-toxic cheese, ie a full block of cheddar, then monitor your dog for symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea 
• Step 4: Provide plenty of fresh water and encourage them to drink, only induce vomiting unless told to do so by your vet 
• Step 5: Call your vet, especially if it was a very large amount or if you have a small breed 

Don’t forget as a Bella+Duke subscriber, you get instant access to free 24/7 video vet care powered by vetts.app. Speak to real, registered vets at any time for expert advice and help on what to do next. 

Reference

1. Grandi, M., Pinna, C., Bonaldo, A., Stefanelli, C., Vecchiato, C. G., Zaghini, G., & Biagi, G. (2018). Effects of dietary supplementation with increasing doses of lactose on faecal bacterial populations and metabolites and apparent total tract digestibility in adult dogs. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 17(4), 1021–1029. https://doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2018.1459210