The benefits of cheese for the human body leave no doubt. The product has high nutritional value and contains macro- and microelements, enzymes, and other valuable substances necessary for life. The diet of domestic animals differs significantly from that of their wild counterparts. They often look at our table and imagine something tasty. And here the question arises: is it possible to give cheese to dogs?
Benefits of cheese for dogs
There is a lot of protein in cheese, and it. Protein enters a dog’s body and becomes amino acids needed for enzymes, hormones, and other vital processes to work better.
Among the macro- and microelements contained in cheese, can note sufficient content:
- Calcium;
- Phosphorus;
- Sodium;
- Vitamins A, E, and B.
Due to its high energy value, cheese is beneficial for pets undergoing heavy physical activity.
Why is cheese dangerous for dogs?
Despite the apparent benefits of cheese for dogs, the product has contraindications. So, we should not give it to pets with liver (acute or chronic) or pancreas diseases. Treating your four-legged friend with cheese is not recommended if he doesn’t move much and is overweight.
Cheese can cause allergies in some animals. Eliminate the product from your dog’s diet and contact your veterinarian if your dog experiences:
- Itching of the skin (often in the anus, ears, face);
- Welling, redness of the mucous membrane of the mouth;
- Clear discharge from the nostrils, lacrimation.
Sometimes, cheese intolerance occurs. Dogs must often tolerate milk, sour cream, and other similar products well. Intolerance may manifest itself, for example, in stool disorders and vomiting.
What kind of cheese can it eat?
Give Four-legged pets cheese with a fat content of about 30% or less. These may be types of products such as:
- Cheddar;
- Dutch;
- Adyghe;
- Swiss;
- Mozzarella;
- Tilsitian;
- Suluguni.
How to properly give cheese to your pet
Dogs do not have a daily need for cheese. You can give it occasionally, using it as a treat or reward. Some owners dry up pieces of cheese and then treat their pets to them during training sessions, walks, and other events. At the same time, throwing a piece so the animal catches it on the fly is not recommended, as this could cause the dog to choke. It is better to feed the dog by hand.
Regarding the volume of a single serving optimal for dogs, each owner proceeds from the characteristics of their pet, taking into account factors such as health status, characteristics of the digestive system (tendency to constipation or diarrhea), age, and size of the animal.
According to experts’ recommendations, a miniature breed dog can give about 10 g of cheese at a time. The portion can be 30-40 g for medium-sized dogs; for large representatives, the dosage is 70-80 g per feeding. The frequency of treats is 2-3 times a week.
For puppies and pregnant dogs
Cheese is not a vital food for dogs. If the dog had already tried the product before pregnancy and had no intestinal problems, then there is no point in introducing restrictions. On the contrary, the treatment will serve as an additional source of nutrients. It is better not to give cheese to a pregnant dog for the first time.
The product is for puppies due to their unformed digestive system. When the baby turns six months old, it is permissible to gradually introduce a cheese product into the diet in small portions and only as a reward (during the period of mastering commands).
What product should four-legged friends not eat?
Not all types of cheese are suitable for treating your dog. Some products contain large amounts of salt, spices, and flavorings, such as processed cheese, pickled (marinated), and delicacy. It is unacceptable to feed an animal blue cheese, as it can cause intoxication of the body. The same applies to smoked varieties and cheese products, which, in addition to aromatic additives, contain preservatives and dyes.
