Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Cheese? Yes, in Small Amounts
Yes, in moderation, most dogs can eat cheese. A small cube of a mild, lower-fat cheese is a favorite training reward and a handy way to wrap a pill. Two things limit it: many dogs digest lactose poorly, and cheese is rich in fat and salt. Cheeses flavored with garlic, onion or chives should never be shared. Here is which cheeses work, how much to give by weight, and when to stop.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read3 sources
Why cheese is usually fine for dogs
Cheese is not toxic to dogs. The AKC calls it a good training treat for dogs that tolerate it, and the ASPCA lists a small piece of cheese among the people foods you can share sparingly. Aged cheeses contain far less lactose than milk, which is why many dogs that react to a bowl of milk handle a nibble of cheddar without trouble.
The limits are lactose and fat. Dogs produce only small amounts of the enzyme that digests lactose, so some react even to small servings. And cheese is calorie-dense: a one-inch cube of cheddar is a meaningful share of a small dog's daily intake, and rich, fatty foods are linked to pancreatitis.
Cheeses to avoid
Never share cheese flavored with garlic, onion or chives, including many herbed spreads, cheese dips and flavored cream cheeses, because those ingredients damage a dog's red blood cells. Skip blue-veined cheeses such as Roquefort and gorgonzola too; they are strong, salty and rich, and there is no reason to risk them.
Also skip very salty or very fatty options: feta, processed cheese slices, cheese sauce, nacho cheese and pizza with its toppings. Cheese baked into snacks often comes with salt and seasoning as well. If your dog ate a garlic or onion cheese, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply.
How much cheese by dog weight
Keep cheese inside the 10 percent treat allowance. For a dog under 20 lb, a few pea-sized pieces or one half-inch cube is plenty for the day. A dog of 20 to 50 lb can have one or two half-inch cubes, and a dog over 50 lb two or three, or a heaping tablespoon of cottage cheese.
Cheese should be an occasional reward rather than a daily topping. Dogs that are overweight, have had pancreatitis or are on a prescription diet should not get it unless their vet agrees. If you use cheese for training, reduce the dog's meal a little on those days.
Spreading a few safe pieces across a snuffle mat or packing them into a puzzle toy turns a small treat into a few minutes of sniffing work.
Puppies and cheese
Puppies can have tiny amounts of mild cheese, and many trainers use it for early lessons. Start with one or two crumbs of cottage cheese or mozzarella and wait a day to check the stool before using more.
Puppies have small stomachs and a narrow calorie budget that needs to go to a complete puppy food, so cheese rewards should be crumb-sized. If loose stool follows, switch to a non-dairy training treat rather than pushing through.
Signs of lactose intolerance and when to call a vet
A dog that does not handle dairy usually shows it within a few hours to a day: gas, gurgling, loose stool or diarrhea, and sometimes vomiting. These signs usually fade within a day once the cheese stops. Cut it out for good if they recur.
Call your vet the same day if vomiting is repeated, your dog has a hunched posture or seems painful in the belly, refuses food, or seems unusually tired after a fatty meal such as pizza or a cheese board raid. Those signs can point to more than a mild upset and need to be checked.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can dogs eat cheddar cheese?
Yes, plain mild cheddar is fine in small pieces for dogs that tolerate dairy. It is higher in fat than mozzarella or cottage cheese, so keep portions to a few pea-sized pieces for small dogs and a cube or two for large ones.
Can dogs eat cottage cheese?
Yes. Plain cottage cheese is lower in fat and lactose than many cheeses, which makes it one of the better choices. Pick a plain, low-sodium tub with no chives or added flavors, and start with a teaspoon or two.
Can dogs eat cream cheese?
Plain cream cheese is not toxic, but it is high in fat, so only a tiny smear now and then. Avoid flavored versions, especially garlic, onion and chive spreads, and sweetened ones that could contain xylitol.
Can dogs eat string cheese?
Yes, plain mozzarella string cheese is a good option because it is lower in fat and easy to tear into small training rewards. Break one stick into many pieces rather than handing over the whole thing.
Can dogs eat mac and cheese?
It is best not to. Boxed and homemade mac and cheese are rich in fat, butter, salt and lactose, and some recipes add garlic or onion powder. A spoonful licked from the floor is unlikely to cause more than a mild upset.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
