Can Dogs Eat Cheese? Here’s What Every Pet Owner Should Know

If you’ve ever been greeted by your dog’s hopeful stare while reaching for the cheese in the fridge, you’re not alone.

The good news is that cheese is not toxic to most dogs and can even be useful as an occasional treat or a clever way to hide medication. However, too much cheese can lead to digestive upset, unwanted weight gain and, in some cases, a serious condition known as pancreatitis.

Here’s what every dog owner should know before sharing a bite.

Can dogs safely eat cheese?

For most healthy dogs, a small amount of cheese is safe.

Because it is soft, tasty and highly motivating, veterinarians often recommend it for rewarding good behaviour during training or disguising tablets that dogs might otherwise refuse.

Cheese also contains nutrients including protein, calcium, vitamin A, B vitamins and essential fatty acids.

Some varieties, particularly aged cheeses, contain less lactose than milk, making them easier for many dogs to digest.

Why too much cheese can be a problem

While cheese has benefits, moderation is essential.

Many dogs are lactose intolerant

After weaning, dogs produce much less lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose.

Too much cheese may cause bloating, stomach cramps and diarrhoea, while puppies are often even more sensitive to dairy products.

Cheese is high in fat and salt

Cheese is also high in fat and sodium.

A single 30-gram slice of cheddar contains around 120 calories, which can account for around 10% of a small dog’s daily calorie requirements.

Regularly feeding fatty treats increases the risk of pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.

Symptoms may develop between 24 and 48 hours after eating fatty food and include:

• Vomiting
• A hunched posture
• Loss of appetite

Which cheeses are safest?

If you want to share cheese with your dog, choose lower-fat, lower-salt options and keep portions small.

Better choices

• Mozzarella
• Cottage cheese
• Mild cheddar in very small amounts
• Swiss cheese

Cheeses to avoid

Some cheeses should never be offered to dogs.

Avoid:

• Blue cheeses such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola and Stilton, which contain roquefortine C that may cause vomiting, tremors and seizures
• Cheese containing garlic, onion, chives, jalapeño or pepper, as garlic and onion are toxic to dogs
• Cream cheese, cheese spreads, cheese strings and processed cheese slices, which are often high in fat, salt and may contain ingredients such as xylitol or onion powder
• Large amounts of feta, halloumi and Parmesan because of their high salt content

How much cheese is safe?

Cheese should be treated as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of your dog’s diet.

As a general guide:

• Dogs under 10 kilograms: One to two pea-sized cubes, up to two or three times a week
• Dogs weighing 10 to 25 kilograms: One to two thumbnail-sized cubes
• Dogs over 25 kilograms: Two to three thumbnail-sized cubes

If your dog has never eaten cheese before, begin with a very small piece of mozzarella or cottage cheese and monitor them for 24 hours for any signs of digestive upset.

What if your dog eats too much cheese?

If your dog helps itself to a whole block of cheese, monitor it closely.

Vomiting and diarrhoea are common after eating a large amount of cheese, so ensure your dog has access to plenty of fresh water.

Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog becomes lethargic, vomits repeatedly, develops bloody stools or shows signs of bloat.

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