Can dogs eat cheese?
As soon as you rustle the cheese package in the kitchen, your dog is right behind you, hoping to get a piece? There's actually nothing wrong with giving a small cube of cheese, as long as it's a type that contains little lactose and salt. In short: Yes, dogs can eat cheese. But the much more important question is:
Which cheese is safe for dogs?
Just one moment of inattention, and bam, your dog has snatched a piece of cheese from the breakfast table. No panic! Most types of cheese are harmless for your dog. The "problematic" aspect of cheese is that it contains lactose, which is milk sugar. Many of our dogs do not tolerate lactose very well because they lack the enzyme lactase needed to break down milk sugar. For this reason, you should opt for cheese varieties that contain as little lactose as possible. Also, too much salt and fat is not very healthy for your four-legged friend.
The following types of cheese are generally well tolerated by most dogs:
- Hard cheese varieties
- Leerdammer
- Maasdamer
- Butter cheese
- Emmental
- Goat cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Harzer cheese
But even with these varieties, the rule applies: In moderation, not in excess! In large quantities, your dog's digestive tract may react sensitively to lactose, leading to [→stomach pain](/magazin/hunde/hunde-gesundheit/bauchschmerzen-beim-hund-ursachen-symptome-behandlung), bloating, or [→diarrhea](/magazin/hunde/hunde-gesundheit/5-hausmittel-und-tipps-gegen-durchfall-beim-hund).
If you want to be on the safe side, it's better to feed special cheese snacks for dogs like our →Cheese Tasties with chicken and Emmental.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Ab und zu ein Stückchen Käse ist für deinen Hund eine leckere Belohnung, sollte aber die Ausnahme bleiben.
Which types of cheese are toxic for dogs?
Just to clarify: Cheese poisoning is quite rare. However, you should be particularly cautious with blue cheese. This type contains a mold called Penicillium Roqueforti during production. During the ripening process, metabolic byproducts such as *Roquefortin C* are formed in the cheese. This byproduct is toxic to dogs! If your dog has eaten blue cheese, it's best to consult a veterinarian!
Also, cooked cheese, processed cheese, and spreadable cheese are inedible for many dog stomachs. The reason for this is that during processing, *sodium phosphate* is added to hold the cheese together. Since this is an unnatural sodium phosphate, it cannot be metabolized by dogs.
You should completely avoid feeding cheese if your dog has difficulty tolerating lactose. This manifests as diarrhea, bloating, and colicky abdominal pain.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Blauschimmelkäse enthält einen Stoff, der giftig ist für Hunde. Hat dein Hund zu viel der Sorte gegessen, fahre besser zum Arzt!
How much cheese is okay?
Even if you give your four-legged friend a type of cheese that contains less salt and lactose, cheese is not actually a staple part of a →healthy and species-appropriate diet for dogs.
Occasionally giving a small piece of cheese as a special treat is fine. However, it should not become a regular occurrence, as cheese, regardless of the type, contains a lot of salt and fat. If you're looking for particularly tasty treats for training or rewarding your dog, opt for high-quality dog snacks. Our →beef bites, for example, are very flavorful and easy to chew. Give it a try!
Tolle Belohnungen für fleißige Hunde - unsere Snacks
Can puppies eat cheese?
Just like with older dogs, the same applies to your puppy: If he tolerates lactose well, you can give him a piece of cheese now and then. However, it should be something very special for your little four-legged friend and not become a habit. If you're looking for something tasty for →puppy training, →special puppy snacks** are better suited.
