Do you want to give a twist to your dog's food with parmesan cheese and make it tastier than ever?
Individuals
often find themselves in a position where they want to feed their dog what they
are eating. You may like to offer your dog a piece of pasta sprinkled with
parmesan cheese from your plate. But do you know whether parmesan cheese is
safe for your dog or not? Or can dogs eat parmesan cheese?
Dogs can
have parmesan cheese since it has a low lactose content. However, it must be
given in small quantities. If your dog is lactose-intolerant, avoid giving them
cheese of any kind.
Parmesan
cheese is an Italian cheese with a low lactose content but a high sodium
content. It is usually grated or sprinkled over the food.
To ensure
your dog's safety when feeding them with parmesan cheese, continue reading the
article!
What Kind of Cheese Can Dogs Eat?
Dogs can
eat cheese like cottage cheese and other cheeses, which have a low level of fat
and lactose. A fermented cheese is low in lactose content and can be
incorporated into a dog's diet. The following are cheese types that are safe
for your dog's consumption:
• Cheddar Cheese: It is a low-lactose cheese and thus is
safe for dogs.
• Swiss Cheese: Similar to cheddar cheese, it also has
low levels of lactose.
• Cottage Cheese: Besides having low
lactose and fat content, it is a rich source of calcium and protein.
• Parmesan Cheese: The low level of
lactose content makes it a safe cheese for dogs.
• Mozzarella Cheese: It is safe because of its low sodium and
fat content.
All of the
cheeses mentioned above are safe for dogs consumption and have high nutritional
value.
Is Any Cheese Poisonous to Dogs?
Although
most cheeses are safe, there are some kinds of cheese like blue cheese you need
to avoid for dogs. Below mentioned are a few examples of deadly cheese for
dogs:
• Blue Cheese: It contains mold that is poisonous for
dogs.
• Soft Goat Cheese: It is rich in lactose and fats.
• Feta Cheese: Besides being rich in lactose and fat, it
also contains too much sodium.
• Brie: It has a high level of lactose and fat content.
To ensure
your dog's safety, you must avoid feeding them these cheeses.
Are Dogs Lactose Intolerant?
Similar to
humans, some dogs have lactose intolerance. It can range from a scale of high
to minimal.
To check
whether your dog is lactose tolerant or not, give them a small amount of
cheese. Observe your dog closely to see if they react badly or show signs of
stomach upset. If you find your dog lactose intolerant, feeding cheese in any
form is not a good idea.
Consult a
vet if they show signs of severe intolerance to milk products.
Can Dogs Have a Little Bit of Parmesan Cheese?
Parmesan
cheese is not bad for dogs. It is alright to sprinkle parmesan cheese on your
dog's food or offer them a small serving, as it is full of nutrients.
Since
parmesan cheese has a high sodium content, it is essential to note that you
should give your dog cheese once in a while and in moderate amounts. Also,
puppies can not eat parmesan cheese since their digestive system is not well
developed.
If your
dog is lactose intolerant, avoid cheese altogether.
What are the Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Parmesan Cheese?
Dogs eat
cheese. Giving your dog cheese, in general, has many health benefits. Speaking
of parmesan cheese in particular, it is rich in calcium and vitamins.
Dogs
require calcium for the upkeep of their bones. Calcium is necessary for bone
formation in pups, bone mass maintenance in adult dogs, and preventing
fractures in oldies. If you want a healthy dog, incorporate a little parmesan
cheese into their diet once in a while.
Besides
being rich in calcium, parmesan cheese is also rich in Vitamin A and B12. While
The dog's body requires vitamin A for healthy skin, good vision, and dense fur,
Vitamin B12 is essential for their DNA formation and the prevention of anemia.
Will Parmesan Hurt Your Dog?
Although
parmesan cheese is suitable for your dog's health, it can negatively impact
when served in more than the required amount. Its overconsumption can cause ill
effects like intestinal upset or nausea in your dog.
Because of
parmesan cheese's high sodium content, special care needs to be taken for dogs
suffering from high blood pressure, heart problems, and kidney issues. Since it
is also rich in fat, its consumption can cause weight gain in your dog and
ultimately result in diabetes and high blood pressure.
Thus, dogs
can eat parmesan cheese rinds in moderation, safely.
What Amount of Parmesan Cheese is Safe for Your Dog?
Dog owners
should know how much parmesan cheese is suitable for their dogs. You should
feed cheese of any kind in moderation to your dog.
The
correct serving of parmesan cheese depends on the size of your dog. For a dog
of a small breed, half a teaspoon of grated cheese is sufficient. Likewise, you
can feed a medium-sized dog or a large-sized dog one teaspoon or one and a half
teaspoon of parmesan cheese.
Therefore,
you should not give your dog cheese in any quantity that is more than the ones
mentioned above.
When Can Cheese Come in Handy?
Does your
dog give you a hard time when you try to provide them with medicine? Cheese can
come in handy in such a case. Place the medicine inside a piece of soft cheese
so that it is not visible and the smell is covered. This way, your dog will
consume the pill without throwing any tantrums.
Also, in a
situation of a sensitive stomach, you can prepare dog food by blending cooked
white rice with cottage cheese. This combination will be beneficial in treating
your dog's stomach.
Cheese can
help you trick your dog into taking their medicine and make your job easy.
How Should You Feed Your Dog Parmesan Cheese?
Let say,
if you want to treat your dog for not crossing the fence, you can serve cheese
to them.
To avoid
choking, you must always give cheese to your four-legged friend in small bits
and pieces. Always serve dogs grated or small slices since they quickly eat
grated parmesan cheese. Dogs can also eat powdered or crips of parmesan cheese.
Dogs eat
cheese when you sprinkle it on their food. Most dogs love to eat cheese;
therefore, you can use it as an occasional treat to make your fur baby happy
and encourage good behaviors.
What are the Signs That Your Dog Has Consumed Too Much Parmesan Cheese?
Even
though your dog might not be lactose intolerant, it can suffer from ill effects
on consuming too much parmesan cheese.
In the
case of overconsumption, your dog can have digestive disturbances such as
constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, or puking. Remove cheese from their diet
and make sure your dog drinks lots of water if any of these occur. In the long
run, your dog can develop conditions like obesity from overeating cheese as
they are rich in fats.
If your
dog shows any kind of unordinary behavior after eating cheese, contact your vet
immediately!
Bottom Line
Your dog
can eat parmesan cheese!
Cheese
like parmesan cheese is a good treat. Dogs can have parmesan cheese. It
provides them with nutrients like calcium and vitamins, which are essential for
their body.
Not all
cheeses are safe for your dog. Cheeses like blue cheeses are toxic for dogs,
and you must avoid feeding them at all costs. Thorough knowledge is fundamental
before providing any new food items to your dog.
It is
vital to note that even though dogs can eat parmesan cheese, you should not
give it to them in large quantities. Adding cheese in the form of small slices
is the best way to feed dogs. Although parmesan cheese is safe for dogs,
restrain from feeding it to your dog if they are intolerant to lactose.
