Goat cheese is a creamy cheese with a particular flavor prepared from goat’s milk. Goat cheese comes in a wide range of textures and flavors, from soft and creamy to crumbly and young to old. Goat cheese is high in healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are beneficial to a person’s health. When you observe these characteristics, you might wonder if dogs can eat goat cheese.
The answer to “Can dogs eat goat cheese” is NO. Dogs cannot and should not eat goat cheese. Goat cheese is not toxic to dogs, but if given in excess, it might cause various health concerns. Despite its creamy flavor and non-toxic nature, goat cheese is a no-no for your furry pets due to its high lactose and saturated fat content.
This article will answer everything you need to know about feeding goat cheese to dogs. It’ll also list a few safe cheese options for your pup. Read on!
What Makes Goat Cheese Harmful For Dogs?
Here’s what makes goat cheese an unhealthy choice to pooches are:
1. The amount of fat: An ounce of goat cheese comprises 80 calories, 6 grams of fat, and 4.5 grams of saturated fat, according to Dr. Gourmet, which is a lot of fat for a dog’s body. Consuming food with a high amount of fat can cause life-threatening diseases like pancreatitis and obesity. This further increases the risk of the following diseases:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Hypertension
- Cancer
2. Lactose Intolerance: Lactose present in goat’s milk can be a concern for dogs with high lactose intolerance. Pups with lactose intolerance cannot digest any dairy or lactose-containing food. Dogs that have lactose intolerance show the following symptoms after consuming goat cheese for any other dairy products:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Bloating
So, high fat and lactose can cause different health problems for your dog. Even if you want to share a bit of crumbly goat cheese with your furry friend, it’s best to keep them away from it.
My Dog Ate A Piece Of Goat Cheese? What Should I Do?
So your dog ate a piece of goat cheese. The first thing you need to do is find out if your dog is showing any reaction. Some most common and immediate reaction to goat cheese you may see in a dog is hypersensitivity reactions, dehydration, and nausea. They occur when the dog’s immune system overreacts to one or more substances such as protein, lactose, fat, and others present in food. The dog may be unable to digest the fat or lactose in goat cheese due to their own sensitivity or intolerance. Call your veterinarian immediately or take them to the vet to stop further damage.
Safe Cheese Options For Dogs
If anyone really wants to feed cheese to their furry friend there are alternatives to goat cheese that are safe for your dog.
Here’s a list of cheese that is safe and better suited:
Cottage cheese: It is the best option for dogs. It is high in protein and calcium with a low level of sodium and fat which makes it a perfect treat for dogs. Cottage cheese may be recommended for dogs suffering from diarrhea or other digestive issues due to its high fiber content.
String cheese: String cheese is another safe cheese option for dogs. There isn’t a lot of salt or lactose in string cheese which reduces the chance of different diseases and health hazards. The stringiness may cause difficulty swallowing, particularly in puppies. Before offering cheese to your dog, be sure to chop it into bits or break it into chunks, regardless of the type.
Mozzarella cheese: In truth, it’s a low-fat, low-salt cheese that can be a tasty treat for your dog if used responsibly.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, feeding goat cheese to dogs carries only risk and little to no benefit. It is best for your cuddly friend to avoid goat cheese.
Keep in mind, you should always consult your veterinarian before giving cheese, or any human food to your dog.
Thank you for reading the article.
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Has your dog ever eaten goat cheese? What was their reaction like? If you have any experience with dogs eating goat cheese, please share it in the comments section below.