Cottage cheese is a delicious treat made from curdled milk. I love cottage cheese because of its mild flavor and creamy texture. But can dogs eat cottage cheese?
We know that it is a dairy product, and lactose-intolerant dogs may not like dairy products. Dogs with lactose intolerance may not like all forms of cheese. It is an interesting question. Many dog owners ask, “Can dogs eat cottage cheese?”
The answer is simple, “Yes, dogs can eat cottage cheese.” Cottage cheese is suitable for dogs. Read the article below to learn more about “Can dogs eat cottage cheese?”
Nutritional values of cottage cheese for dogs
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), one hundred grams of Cottage Cheese contains the following nutrients for dogs:
Cottage cheese does not provide alpha-carotene to your dogs. It provides only traces of beta-carotene for dogs. Beta-Carotene is also known as Pro-Vitamin A. Cottage Cheese provides amino acids to dogs.
Unlike other dog treats, cottage cheese does not provide vitamin C to dogs. Dogs need vitamin C in their diet because it is an important antioxidant for dogs. You will be intrigued to know that cottage cheese does not contain dietary fiber for dogs.
It means that cottage cheese is not likely to help dogs with digestion problems. Dietary fiber in any dog treat can affect your dog’s digestion.
Cottage cheese does not provide vitamin D to dogs. It carries a valuable amount of Total Fat, Sodium, Potassium, Carbohydrates, Sugar, and Protein for dogs.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF COTTAGE CHEESE FOR DOGS
When someone asks you, “Can dogs eat cottage cheese?” You cannot just recommend cottage cheese because of its health benefits for dogs. Cottage cheese, unlike fruity dog treats, does not contain valuable amounts of essential vitamins and minerals for dogs.
You will find fats in your cottage cheese for dogs. Fats become a part of your dog’s body when you feed cottage cheese to your dogs. I mean, fats in cottage cheese can affect your dog’s organs.
If your dog is getting suitable amounts of total fats from cottage cheese, he is more likely to have a healthier brain and better behavior. The key is to maintain a healthy fat balance in your dogs.
Smart dog owners use cottage cheese to maintain a healthy fat balance in dogs. Cottage cheese can provide numerous health benefits to dogs. Ranging from eye health to heart health, cottage cheese can protect dogs against several diseases.
Unlike other cheese forms, Cottage Cheese provides healthy fatty acid to your dogs. Fatty acid in Cottage Cheese can help improve cell growth in your dog’s body.
What if you have an unhealthy dog at home? You might ask, “Can dogs eat cottage cheese?” It actually depends upon your dog’s condition. If your dog is suffering from problems like diabetes and obesity, cottage cheese may not be a healthy option for your dog.
Cottage cheese contains sodium which means that it can potentially affect your dog’s hydration needs. I am happy to know that cottage cheese does not contain too much sodium for dogs.
Still, we do not say that you feed too much cottage cheese to your dogs. Cottage cheese carries Potassium. Potassium provided by cottage cheese in moderation can protect dogs against Kidney diseases.
Cottage cheese also carries magnesium for dogs. Magnesium in Cottage Cheese can also protect dogs against diseases. The key is to limit the Magnesium level provided by Cottage Cheese.
That’s why we say that Smart Dog Owners do not feed too much Cottage Cheese to their dogs. Cottage Cheese provides Protein to dogs. Dogs need Protein for effective growth and bone development.
If your dog is not getting enough Protein in his diet, you can serve Cottage Cheese to your dog as a dog treat. One hundred grams of Cottage Cheese provides 163 Calories to your dogs.
Cottage cheese is good for your dog’s immunity because it contains Probiotics. If your dog needs Calcium-rich foods, Cottage Cheese can be a healthy treat for your dog.
Many dog owners have lactose-intolerant dogs, and they may ask, “Can dogs eat Cottage Cheese?” Good news! Cottage Cheese can be a perfect dog treat for lactose-intolerant dogs.
Unlike other dairy products, Cottage Cheese does not carry harmful levels of lactose for dogs. It is very much similar to Greek Yogurt. So, a little Cottage Cheese cannot cause stomach upset in dogs. It is good for your dog’s gut health.
Health hazards caused by cottage cheese in dogs
It is not a good idea to feed too much Cottage Cheese to your dogs. We know that Cottage Cheese is a healthy treat for dogs. But feeding too much Cottage Cheese to your dogs can result in numerous health risks for dogs.
Dogs can be lactose intolerant. Cottage Cheese is a dairy product, so it contains lactose. Feeding too much Cottage Cheese to your dogs can lead to digestion problems.
As mentioned above, Cottage Cheese contains sodium for dogs. Too much sodium can affect your dog’s hydration needs. Feeding an excess amount of Cottage Cheese to your dogs can potentially lead to Hypernatremia.
On the other hand, Cottage Cheese can be a healthy treat for those dogs who drink too much water. For instance, you may have a thirsty Pooch at your home. You should not feed Cottage Cheese to your thirsty Pooch.
Acute or severe Hypernatremia can lead to neurological changes in dogs. Cottage Cheese cannot meet the hydration needs of your dogs. If your dog feels thirsty, you should give him water. Cottage Cheese cannot replace water for dogs.
Cottage Cheese carries fats. Too much fat can become a health risk for dogs. In other words, Cottage Cheese is a fatty food that can lead to obesity, diabetes, and osteoarthritis in dogs.
Can dogs eat Cottage Cheese?
Again, Cottage Cheese can create problems for dogs if you feed too much Cottage Cheese to your dogs. For instance, your dog can get Pancreatitis after eating Cottage Cheese.
For those people who do not know what Pancreatitis is, it is a condition associated with the inflammation of the pancreas in dogs. Your dog may experience a loss in appetite, an upset stomach, and vomiting after eating too much Cottage Cheese.
These symptoms are not just limited to Pancreatitis. Dogs can experience a loss of appetite, an upset stomach, and vomiting due to any other human food. You should consult your vet in case the condition persists for more than 48 hours.
Cottage Cheese is not good for dogs having high blood pressure problems. Cottage Cheese carries high Sodium content, and sodium affects your dog’s blood pressure. If you know that your dog has a blood pressure issue, it is best to avoid feeding him Cottage Cheese.
Store-bought Cottage Cheese may contain artificial flavorings and preservatives. You should always read the labels carefully before buying Cottage Cheese for dogs. Your Cottage Cheese should be free from any artificial flavorings and preservatives.
Cottage Cheese containing artificial flavorings and preservatives can be harmful to dogs. Onion, chives, and garlic flavoring agents in store-bought Cottage Cheese can be toxic to dogs.
Will It Cause Gas or Constipation?
It is a tricky question. It actually depends upon your dog’s condition. If your dog is suffering from any food allergies, Cottage Cheese may lead to symptoms of food allergies such as vomiting, gas, and diarrhea.
It is always a good idea to consult your vet before introducing any new food to your dogs. You should check your dog for symptoms of food allergies after feeding him a little Cottage Cheese for the first time.
Dietary changes can also cause gas, diarrhea, or constipation in dogs. Your dog can have gas or diarrhea after eating any other food. You should consult your vet when you see that your dogs remain uncomfortable and gassy all the time.
A little Cottage Cheese may not cause constipation in dogs. Constipation prevents healthy bowel movement in dogs. Dogs, unlike humans, have sensitive stomachs. You should consult your vet if you notice symptoms of constipation in your four-legged friends.
Is cottage cheese good for diabetic dogs?
It is probably not a good idea to feed Cottage Cheese to your diabetic dogs. Cottage Cheese carries carbs and sugars that can affect your dog’s blood sugar levels. If you know for sure that your dog has diabetes, you may not like to feed him Cottage Cheese.
You should consult your vet before introducing Cottage Cheese to your diabetic dog. Your diabetic dog may not respond well to Cottage Cheese. It is because Cottage Cheese can adversely affect your diabetic dog’s insulin levels.
You have to maintain the insulin level in your diabetic dog’s body. Your vet can help you assess the suitable Cottage Cheese portion size for your diabetic dog. Or, he may advise against feeding Cottage Cheese to your diabetic altogether.
How much cottage cheese can I give my dog?
Cottage Cheese can be served as a dog treat. Any dog treat, such as Cottage Cheese, should not make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet.
You should consult your vet to assess the suitable portion size of Cottage Cheese for your dogs. Your vet may consider your dog’s breed, height, and weight to suggest a suitable portion size for your dog.
Ideally, your dog’s food should meet your dog’s nutritional needs. But Cottage Cheese is unlikely to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. Cottage Cheese is not your typical dog food.
It means that you cannot replace real dog food with Cottage Cheese. That’s why veterinary nutritionists often do not recommend more than one tablespoon of Cottage Cheese for dogs.
A veterinary nutritionist can help you in providing a balanced diet for your dogs. Cottage Cheese contains a high Sodium content. So, your veterinary nutritionist may assess your dog’s health before suggesting a suitable portion size for your dog.
How to Feed Your Dog Cottage Cheese?
Your dog can create a lot of mess while eating Cottage Cheese. I always serve it in a bowl. You can also serve Cottage Cheese along with regular dog food. Or, you can serve Cheese after serving the regular dog food.
It depends on your dog’s mood, taste, and appetite. If you have a picky pooch at home, he may prefer Cottage Cheese over regular dog food. Avoid feeding too much Cottage Cheese to your picky Pooch.
Other dog-safe Cheese
You can also feed Mozzarella, Swiss Cheese, and Cheddar Cheese to your dogs. Swiss cheese carries more calories than Cottage Cheese. Cottage cheese contains more Carbohydrates than Cottage Cheese.
Can dogs eat cream cheese?
The answer is, “Yes, in moderation.” A little Cream Cheese is not going to kill your dog. However, avoid feeding too much Cream Cheese to your dogs. Creamy Cheese is not for dogs facing obesity.
Is cream cheese safe for dogs?
Cream Cheese may provide too much fat to your dogs. That’s why you have to limit the portion size of Cream Cheese for your dogs. Always make sure that your Cream Cheese does not contain artificial flavorings and preservatives, as they can be toxic to your dogs.
Can dogs eat cheddar cheese?
Yes, you can serve Cheddar Cheese to your dogs. Cheddar Cheese does not contain too much lactose for dogs. Compared to other dog-safe Cheese, Cheddar Cheese is suitable for dogs.
Is cheddar cheese good for dogs?
Cheddar Cheese does not provide too much Sodium and Fats to your dogs. Cheddar Cheese provides beneficial Phosphorous and Calcium to dogs. Cheddar Cheese strengthens your dog’s immunity.
Can dogs eat sharp cheddar cheese?
You should not feed too much Cheddar Cheese to your dogs. Too much Cheddar Cheese can be harmful to dogs. A little Cheddar Cheese can provide vitamin A and Riboflavin to your dogs.
Can dogs eat mozzarella cheese?
Yes, dogs can eat mozzarella cheese. Lactose intolerance is a common problem in dogs. Mozzarella does not contain too much lactose for dogs. Mozzarella cheese does not contain too many fats for dogs. Still, mozzarella cheese is not for dogs facing obesity.
Mozzarella cheese cannot replace your regular dog food. You can serve only a little mozzarella cheese to your dogs occasionally.
Can dogs eat blue Cheese?
Is blue cheese bad for dogs?
Blue cheese is not safe for dogs. Blue cheese can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures in dogs. Blue cheese can be toxic to dogs. Roquefortine C in blue Cheese is not suitable for dogs.
Can dogs eat string cheese?
It is a tricky question. String cheese can be good for lactose-intolerant dogs, but it can be harmful to some puppies.
Do not worry if someone asks you, “Is string cheese good for dogs?”
If you really want to serve string cheese to your dogs, you should only feed them a little string cheese. It is a bad idea to feed too much string cheese to your dogs.
Can dogs eat parmesan cheese?
The answer is,” Yes, in moderation.” We advise against feeding parmesan cheese to your dogs because it contains too much salt. However, a little parmesan cheese with a lot of water is not likely to harm your dog.
Can dogs eat feta cheese?
The answer is,” Yes, in moderation.” Keep in mind that feta cheese contains too much fat and sodium for dogs. It is always better to avoid foods like feta cheese for dogs.
Do not be confused. We are not saying that feta cheese is toxic for dogs. We do not want you to feed foods rich in fats and salt to your dogs.
Can dogs eat swiss Cheese?
Yes, in moderation. Swiss Cheese can be a healthy option for dogs. Swiss Cheese does not carry too much lactose for dogs. A little Swiss Cheese is not going to harm your dogs.
Can boxers eat cottage cheese?
Yes, boxers can eat Cottage Cheese. Boxers have sensitive stomachs. They cannot tolerate all forms of Cheese. Unlike other cheese forms, Boxers can eat Cottage Cheese. In fact, boxers need Cottage Cheese when they get sick. Cottage Cheese helps boxers recover from stomach issues.
Can dogs eat ricotta cheese?
The short answer is,” Yes, in moderation.” Ricotta Cheese contains too much lactose. It is not suitable for lactose-intolerant dogs. You should not feed Ricotta Cheese to your dogs daily. Ricotta Cheese can be served as an occasional treat for dogs.
Can dogs eat cheese sticks?
Yes, you can feed cheese sticks to your dogs. A small amount of cheese sticks is not likely to harm your dogs. It might be a bad idea to feed too many cheese sticks to your dogs. Otherwise, it is OK to feed a small number of cheese sticks to your dogs occasionally.
Can dogs eat gouda cheese?
The short answer is,” Yes, in moderation.” Gouda Cheese can be difficult to digest for some dogs. Gouda cheese is not toxic to your dogs, but we do not encourage you to feed gouda cheese to your dogs.
Is Cottage Cheese good for dogs with Kidney disease?
Cottage Cheese is not great for dogs with Kidney disease. I mean, you can feed a small amount of Cottage Cheese to dogs with Kidney disease, but it is risky.
Cottage Cheese contains high Sodium content. Sodium-rich foods are not considered good for dogs with Kidney disease.
Cottage Cheese can potentially cause digestion problems in dogs. You do not want to see your dog suffering from an upset stomach when you know that he already has a Kidney disease.
Generally, vets do not stop you from giving a small amount of Cottage Cheese to your dogs with Kidney disease. Cottage Cheese can help protect dogs against Kidney diseases. But it is wrong to assume that Cottage Cheese can replace your regular dog food for dogs with Kidney disease.
Conclusion | Can dogs eat Cottage Cheese?
Now, you know that Cottage Cheese is good for dogs. You should feed only a small portion of Cottage Cheese to your dogs. We do not encourage feeding large portions of Cottage Cheese to your dogs.
Cottage Cheese may seem a healthy option for dogs only if you feed it to your dogs in small amounts occasionally.