Have you ever played hide-and-seek with a young child? If you pretend you can’t find them, you’ll hear a giggle. If you give up and head for the cookie jar, they’ll come running. Dogs aren’t that different. Not sure where your pup is? Open a string cheese wrapper and they’ll magically appear beside you in seconds.
Dogs love cheese; there’s no doubt about that, but is cheese ok for dogs? Whether you’re using cheese as a training reward or considering sharing a bite from your sandwich, there are a few things every dog owner should know first, including which cheeses are safe, which should be avoided, and how much is too much.
Can Dogs Eat Cheese? The Short Answer
Yes, dogs can eat cheese. They just shouldn’t have a LOT of cheese.
For many dogs, cheese is a safe and delicious occasional treat. While it contains protein, calcium, and other nutrients, it also tends to be high in fat, calories, and sodium. Too much can lead to digestive upset, weight gain, or more serious health problems in some dogs.
Most vets recommend the 10% rule: treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet, with the remaining 90% coming from a complete and balanced dog food.
Is Cheese Good for Dogs, or Is Cheese Bad for Dogs?
The answer: both. Cheese can be good or bad for dogs, depending on the type, portion size, and your dog’s health.
Cheese Is… | When That’s True |
👍 Good for dogs | As an occasional treat, training reward, or pill pocket |
👎 Bad for dogs | When fed in large amounts or to dogs with certain health conditions |
⚠️ Depends | On the type of cheese, your dog’s health, and how much they eat |
Cheese can be a great occasional treat for many dogs. It’s tasty, easy to use during training, and contains nutrients like protein and calcium.
However, dogs don’t actually need cheese. A complete and balanced dog food already provides the nutrients they need, so cheese is best viewed as a treat rather than a health food.
Lactose Intolerance in Dogs
Not every dog’s stomach is as enthusiastic about cheese as their taste buds are. Some dogs have trouble digesting lactose, the natural sugar found in dairy products. While many dogs can handle a small piece of cheese without issue, others may experience:
Gas
Bloating
Vomiting
Diarrhea
If your dog is trying cheese for the first time, start with a small piece and keep an eye on them for the next 24 hours. If they seem perfectly happy, you’ve likely found a new favorite treat. If not, their digestive system may be telling you that cheese can stay on your plate, not in their bowl.
Which Cheeses Can Dogs Eat?
If your dog had their way, every cheese would earn a green light. Unfortunately, dogs are enthusiastic eaters, not nutritionists. Here’s how some of the most common cheeses stack up.
Can Dogs Eat Cottage Cheese?
Yes. Cottage cheese is one of the better choices for dogs because it’s relatively low in fat and easy on many canine stomachs. If your dog enjoys it, a spoonful of plain cottage cheese can make a tasty treat.
Can Dogs Eat Mozzarella Cheese?
Yes. Mozzarella is one of the lighter cheeses in the dairy aisle, which earns it a spot on the dog-friendly list. A small piece here and there is perfectly fine for most healthy dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Cheddar Cheese?
Yes. Cheddar is the classic training-treat cheese for a reason. Most dogs love it, it’s easy to cut into tiny cubes, and it works wonders when you’re asking your dog to do something they’d rather not do.
Can Dogs Eat Swiss Cheese?
Yes. Swiss cheese is generally safe for dogs and contains less lactose than some other varieties. Those famous holes don’t make it healthier, but they do make it easier to recognize from across the room.
Can Dogs Eat String Cheese?
Yes. Most string cheese is simply mozzarella, making it a safe occasional treat.
Can Dogs Eat Cream Cheese?
Sometimes. Cream cheese isn’t toxic, but it is rich, fatty, and surprisingly easy to overdo. A small smear is one thing. Letting your dog lick an entire container clean is quite another.
Can Dogs Have Parmesan Cheese?
Sometimes. Parmesan packs a lot of flavor into a small package, which is great for pasta and less great for your dog’s sodium intake. A sprinkle is fine. The mountain you’d secretly like to ask the waiter for at your favorite Italian restaurant is not.
Can Dogs Eat Feta Cheese?
Sometimes. Feta’s biggest issue isn’t the cheese itself. It’s the salt. A tiny nibble won’t usually cause problems, but it’s not a cheese worth going out of your way to share.
Can Dogs Eat Blue Cheese?
No. Blue cheese is one of the few cheeses that earns a hard no. Varieties like Stilton, Gorgonzola, and Roquefort can contain substances produced by mold that may cause serious neurological symptoms in dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Flavored or Herbed Cheeses?
No. Garlic, onions, chives, and leeks may taste delicious to humans, but they can be toxic to dogs. If the label reads like a seasoning rack, keep it away from your pup.
Can Dogs Eat Processed Cheese Products?
No. American singles, queso, nacho cheese sauce, and similar processed cheese products are often packed with sodium, preservatives, and ingredients your dog simply doesn’t need.
How Much Cheese Can Dogs Eat?
Have you ever been to a party where someone put out a charcuterie board piled high with a variety of cheeses, fruits, nuts, and other goodies? So…not that much. A dog-friendly charcuterie board should look less like a Pinterest masterpiece and more like a bowl of kibble with a single cube of cheddar perched on top.
Dog Size | Serving Size |
Extra small (under 10 lbs) | 1 pea-sized piece |
Small (10-20 lbs) | 1-2 small cubes |
Medium (20-50 lbs) | 2-3 small cubes |
Large (50-100 lbs) | 3-4 small cubes |
Giant (100+ lbs) | 4-5 small cubes |
Note: your dog may strongly disagree with these recommendations but your vet will not. Always check with your vet before sharing cheese with your dog to make sure it’s a healthy choice.
The Real Health Risks of Feeding Dogs Too Much Cheese
We all want to be our dog's favorite, and it's hard to resist those puppy dog eyes, but there's a reason cheese is supposed to be given in moderation.
Pancreatitis
Cheese is high in fat, and too much fat can sometimes trigger pancreatitis in dogs. This painful inflammation of the pancreas can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy, and often requires veterinary treatment.
Obesity and Weight Gain
Those little cubes add up quickly. Regularly feeding high-calorie treats like cheese can contribute to weight gain, which increases the risk of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.
Lactose Intolerance Reactions
Too much cheese can lead to gas, bloating, dog vomiting, diarrhea, and general stomach upset, especially in dogs that are sensitive to dairy.
Sodium Overload
Some cheeses contain surprisingly high amounts of sodium. While an occasional bite is unlikely to cause problems, regularly feeding salty cheeses can be a concern, particularly for dogs with heart or kidney conditions.
Dogs Who Should Never Eat Cheese
Not every dog gets a seat at the cheese board. While most healthy dogs can enjoy an occasional bite, some are better off skipping cheese entirely.
A good rule: if your dog has a medical condition that requires a special diet, skip the cheese. Even a small piece can sometimes cause problems or interfere with your veterinarian’s recommendations.
The following dogs should generally avoid cheese:
If Your Dog… | Why Cheese May Be a Problem |
Has a history of pancreatitis | Cheese is high in fat and may trigger a flare-up. |
Is overweight or obese | Cheese is calorie-dense and can make weight management more difficult. |
Has a dairy allergy or severe lactose intolerance | Cheese may cause digestive upset and other reactions. |
Is on a prescription or low-fat diet | Cheese may not fit within the treatment plan your veterinarian has prescribed. |
Has kidney disease or heart disease | Many cheeses contain significant amounts of sodium. |
Is younger than 8 weeks old | Young puppies have sensitive digestive systems and different nutritional needs. |
When to Call the Vet After Your Dog Eats Cheese
Most cheese-related incidents end with nothing more dramatic than your dog looking pleased with themselves and following you around hopefully for the rest of the day. However, if your pup raids the cheese drawer, gets into a cheese they shouldn’t, or starts showing signs of illness after eating cheese, it’s time to pay closer attention.
Call your veterinarian if your dog develops:
Persistent vomiting
Persistent diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Lethargy or unusual tiredness
A hunched posture or signs of abdominal pain
Rapid breathing
Weakness
Pale gums
Blue cheese deserves a special mention. If your dog eats blue cheese contact your veterinarian immediately. Don’t wait for them to develop tremors, wobbliness, muscle twitching, or seizures. Certain molds used to make blue cheeses can produce compounds that are toxic to dogs.
How Pet Insurance Can Help with Cheese-Related Illness
Nobody plans for their dog to counter-surf an entire cheese platter, but dogs have a talent for keeping life interesting. If a cheese-related mishap leads to a covered condition like pancreatitis or severe digestive upset, dog health insurance can help offset eligible veterinary expenses.
Every dog owner eventually finds themselves asking, “Can my dog eat this?” during dinner prep. Regular veterinary visits can help take the guesswork out of those decisions. Wellness Plans can help pet parents budget for preventive care, including wellness exams, nutritional counseling, and other routine veterinary services throughout their dog’s life.
Is Cheese Safe for Dogs?
Dogs have a remarkable ability to appear whenever cheese is involved. The good news is that, for most healthy dogs, an occasional piece of the right cheese is perfectly fine.
Just remember that your dog’s enthusiasm for cheese and their need for cheese are two very different things. The next time a string cheese wrapper crinkles and your pup materializes beside you, you’ll know exactly when it’s okay to share and when it’s better to keep that snack to yourself.