Cheese is a staple in many people’s diets, whether it’s used to top toast, pizza, or in the shape of grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled over pasta.
What about the canines, on the other hand? Is it safe for dogs to eat cheese, and will it hurt them? We will provide you with the solution to this question in the section below.
Lactose-Free Cheese For Dogs
During their first few weeks of life, the cubs are entirely dependent on their mother’s milk for nutrition. This ensures that the tiny four-legged buddies get all of the nutrients that they need. Puppies need the enzyme lactase in order to digest milk and the lactose (milk sugar) that it contains.
Because lactose is no longer required after weaning from mother’s milk, the enzyme that breaks down lactose is no longer present in the dog’s gut, and the dog eventually develops lactose intolerance. In dogs, the ingestion of lactose may result in flatulence, diarrhea, and vomiting, much as it does in humans with lactose intolerance.
As a result, whether or not dogs can consume cheese is primarily dependent on the amount of lactose present in the cheese in question. A tiny amount of hard cheese, for example, does not often contain lactose and may thus be taken by your dog in modest amounts.
Fresh cheese, on the other hand, is a very another story altogether. Lactose concentrations of up to four grams per 100 grams are common. In order to avoid this, fresh cheese should not be served as a snack for your dog.
Cheese For Dogs Allergic To Milk?
Many factors contribute to the pain that dogs experience after consuming cheese. One of these factors is the lactose included in certain forms of cheese.
Particular breeds of dogs are also susceptible to milk allergies, which means that certain proteins found in milk or dairy products such as cheese might induce allergic responses in them.
If this is the case for your dog, he should, of course, avoid eating cheese, regardless of its lactose level, since this might result in severe digestive difficulties for your four-legged buddy, as previously said.
Cheese For Dogs – Our Conclusion
As you can see, cheese is usually considered to be safe for dogs to consume. As long as your four-legged buddy does not suffer from a milk allergy and consumes only lactose-free cheese, he or she is permitted to eat a little piece of cheese every now and then. Because cheese is heavy in calories and typically includes a lot of salt, it’s important not to overdo it on the serving size.
Also see: Can Dogs Eat Cashews?
