Why
Cheese is not toxic, and many trainers use tiny pieces as a high-value reward. However, it is high in fat and calories, and it contains lactose, which many adult dogs do not digest well.
Some cheeses are riskier than others. Blue cheeses can contain a mold toxin called roquefortine C, and flavored cheeses may contain garlic, onion or chives. Dogs that are overweight or have had pancreatitis should avoid fatty treats like cheese.
Risks to watch for
- Diarrhea, gas or vomiting in dogs that are lactose intolerant
- Weight gain with regular use
- Pancreatitis risk in dogs prone to it
- Added garlic, onion or herbs in flavored cheeses
How to share safely
- Pick plain, lower-fat options such as mozzarella or cottage cheese.
- Cut into small pieces, especially for training.
- Avoid blue cheese, heavily salted cheese and cheese with added flavors.
How much?
A dog can have a few small cubes of cheese at a time. Treats of all kinds should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Can you hide a pill in cheese?
Often, yes. A small piece of soft cheese pressed around a tablet is one of the easiest ways to get medicine into a dog. Use the smallest amount that covers the pill, and give a plain piece first so your dog swallows the next one without inspecting it.
Check with your vet or pharmacist before you do this with a new prescription. Some medicines are meant to be given on an empty stomach. Others, including tetracycline-type antibiotics, bind to the calcium in dairy and are absorbed less well. If cheese is a poor match for the drug, your vet can suggest another way.
String cheese, cottage cheese or cream cheese?
Not all cheese is equal for a dog. The differences come down to fat, salt, lactose and what else has been mixed in.
- Low-fat cottage cheese is mild and fairly low in fat, which is why vets sometimes include it in bland diets.
- String cheese is usually part-skim mozzarella. It is easy to tear into training-sized bits.
- Hard aged cheeses such as cheddar and parmesan contain less lactose, but parmesan and feta are salty.
- Cream cheese is mostly fat. Keep it to a smear, if any.
- Processed slices and cheese sauces are salty, and dishes like pizza or mac and cheese may contain onion or garlic powder.
Which dogs are better off without cheese?
Dairy is one of the food ingredients most often linked to food allergies in dogs. If your dog has itchy skin or recurring ear or stomach trouble and is on an elimination diet, cheese has to stop completely for the trial to mean anything.
Dogs on a prescription diet for kidney disease, bladder stones or weight loss should not get extra snacks without the vet's approval, because the extras can undo what the diet is doing. The same goes for dogs that have had pancreatitis, where even a small fatty treat can bring back symptoms.
For everyone else, cheese works best as a special reward saved for hard moments like nail trims or vet visits.
Common questions
Is cheese good for dogs?
Only in limited ways. Cheese is not toxic, and many trainers use tiny pieces as a high-value reward. However, it is high in fat and calories, and it contains lactose, which many adult dogs do not digest well.
Is cheese bad for dogs?
It can be. Risks to watch for: diarrhea, gas or vomiting in dogs that are lactose intolerant; weight gain with regular use.
Are dogs allowed to have cheese?
Only in small amounts and the right form. Pick plain, lower-fat options such as mozzarella or cottage cheese.
Sources
Topic references
General care and safety
If your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away. Do not wait for symptoms. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).