In principle, dogs are allowed to eat cheese, and most of them are absolutely wild about it. Cheese is even very popular as a small training treat. There are, however, a few important restrictions: the amount, the fat content and the lactose decide whether cheese stays a harmless snack or causes problems.
Is cheese healthy for dogs?
Cheese provides protein, calcium and fat, and smells irresistible to dogs. That is exactly why it works so well as a high-value reward in training. In the true sense, though, it is only healthy in very small amounts, as cheese is rich in fat and salt and therefore anything but a lightweight in the calorie balance.
What you need to watch out for
Lactose. Many adult dogs tolerate milk sugar poorly. Mature hard cheeses such as Parmesan or aged Gouda contain barely any lactose and are therefore more tolerable than cream cheese or young varieties. If your dog reacts with flatulence or diarrhoea, cheese is not for them.
Fat and salt. Fat-rich cheese is a strain over time and risky for dogs with a sensitive pancreas. Stay away from heavily salted or seasoned varieties, as well as from mould-ripened cheeses such as blue cheese, which can be problematic for dogs.
The amount. One or two pea-sized pieces as a reward are enough. Cheese is an occasional treat, not a daily ration.
How much cheese is a dog allowed?
Because of the high fat content, you should stay deliberately sparing here. For a small dog, a tiny piece is enough; a large dog can tolerate a bit more. Factor the cheese into the daily ration, otherwise the extra energy adds up quickly.
For which dogs is cheese unsuitable?
With overweight, pancreatic issues or a lactose intolerance, you should avoid cheese. For dogs with allergies, too, milk protein is not always the best choice. If you already feed a single-protein diet, cheese as a foreign protein source fits poorly into that concept.
Frequently asked questions
Which cheese is best for dogs?
Mature hard cheese with little lactose and unseasoned, in tiny amounts. Cream cheese and processed cheese are less suitable because of lactose and additives.
Are dogs allowed to eat cream cheese?
In small amounts, and only the natural variety without herbs, garlic or salt. If your dog is lactose-sensitive, it is better to leave it out altogether.
Does cheese make sense as a training treat?
As a rare highlight, yes. For daily use, lower-calorie, single-protein snacks are the better choice.
The better reward for training
Cheese is a strong motivational highlight, but too fatty for daily training use and unsuitable for many dogs because of the lactose. Single-protein, easy-to-dose natural treats made from just one type of meat are the more tolerable alternative here, with no milk sugar and no unnecessary fat. For calm activity afterwards, our natural chews are a good fit.
Further foods for dogs
Wondering what else your dog is allowed to eat? We cover it step by step: Are dogs allowed to eat apples? and Are dogs allowed to eat bananas?. Which vegetables are allowed and which are off-limits, you can read in our guide Healthy vegetables for dogs.
