We love to spoil our pets whilst keeping in line with being a good dog parent. It’s always best to find out if new food items are okay for your dog before introducing them to your beloved dog—this time, it’s cottage cheese. Let us find out if dogs can eat cottage cheese.
Yes, a dog can eat cottage cheese in moderation. It’s the healthier option of cheeses for them! Cottage cheese is low-fat with an easy-to-digest consistency for a dogs stomach.
What is cottage cheese?
Cottage cheese is a low-fat dairy product popular among dieters and athletes. It’s mild in flavour and is as fresh as it comes. The cheese does not get fermented or given time to age like other cheeses.
Did you know! Cottage cheese originated in the Middle East around 5,000 BC.
How is cottage cheese made?
Cottage cheese is made by mixing lactic acid or food-grade acid such as vinegar with pasteurized milk. This causes separation and makes the cheese curdle. Then, it’s drained straight away, leaving only the crumbled mixture, which is the cottage cheese.
Can my dog have flavoured cottage cheese?
Avoid cottage cheese with added onions, garlic, chives, and leek flavours; these four flavours are from the Allium family and are highly toxic to dogs. It can cause your dog to develop hemolytic anaemia, which can be fatal.
Is cottage cheese with added pineapple safe for dogs?
Although pineapple raw is safe for dogs, the pineapple added to cottage cheese should be avoided since not fully knowing if the pineapple is canned and sitting in syrup before being added to the cottage cheese. All brands are different, and it would be best to check the label on individual pots for further information. Too much sugar can cause tooth decay and obesity in dogs.
Types of cottage cheese
The below types of cottage cheese are safe for a dog, but only in moderation. To have a small portion now and then, including their regular diet, is okay. However, do not feed cottage cheese to a dog with kidney problems or is overweight.
- Regular cottage cheese
- Low-fat or reduced-fat cottage
- Dry curd cottage cheese
How much cottage cheese can I give my dog?
One portion a week, the maximum amount below. This is a general guideline. Please remember that every dog is different, and you should always consult your veterinarian before introducing new foods to your dog. For example, giving your dog too much cheese or any high-fat products can trigger pancreatitis.
| Size of dog | Portion size (once a week) |
|---|---|
| Toy | 10g |
| Small | 25g |
| Medium | 50g |
| Large | 25g |
| Extra Large | 25g |
The more cottage cheese your dog eats, the greater the risk of developing symptoms from overeating cottage cheese.
Lactose intolerant
Please be aware that many dogs like us humans are lactose intolerant, which means that they find it difficult to digest milk and causes terrible gastrointestinal upset. You can rule this out by completing an allergy test. The test can show if your dog is lactose intolerant or not. Unfortunately, most dog parents find out that their beloved dog is lactose intolerant when they have an upset stomach.
Dairy allergy symptoms in dogs to watch out for
- Difficulty breathing
- Diarrhoea
- Itchiness
- Hives
- Decreased appetite
- Swelling of the face
- Hunched over
- Stillness
Can Puppies Eat Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese for puppies would not be safe to introduce; they have delicate stomachs and should not be offered cottage cheese. Please consult your veterinarian for further details if required.
Conclusion
In general, dogs can safely eat cottage cheese but only in minimal quantities as above; however, you should take in the possibility that your dog could be lactose intolerant. Let’s not forget our daily well-balanced dog food should not be replaced by cottage cheese. A dog allergy test will confirm if your dog is lactose intolerant; unfortunately, most dog owners find this out when it’s too late and have a poorly dog. Please watch out for added herbs of the Allium family in cottage cheese; they are highly poisonous to dogs.
Happy dog parenting!
