You deserve to have fun every once in a while, and sometimes that means giving yourself permission to do so at home, whether you’re on a day off, at home with the kids, or just trying to unwind after a long day at the office.
You get cozy with a good book or your favorite show and some tasty cheese ball snacks.
Due to their acute sense of smell, dogs are unlikely to leave you in peace while you snack on those cheese balls. A common question is whether or not it’s appropriate to treat your dog with cheese balls.
Cheese balls, in moderate amounts, are perfectly safe for dogs to eat.
Cheese balls are safe for your dog to eat because they do not contain any potentially harmful ingredients like chili or garlic.
But just like with people food, giving your dog too much of anything is never a good idea. Consistent consumption of cheese balls has been linked to an increased risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and obesity in later life.
What happens if you give your dog too many cheese balls, how much cheese is safe, and whether or not cheese balls are nutritious will all be discussed today.
Can Dogs Eat Cheese Balls?
As with human food, the kind of Cheese Ball you give your dog makes a big difference. Most dogs are lactose intolerant, which means they can’t properly digest dairy products, so be careful if you feed them natural Cheese Balls (actual cheese in the shape of a ball).
If your canine companion can handle other dairy products, like sour cream, milk, and ice cream, then a small amount of natural cheese balls should be fine.
A dog’s sodium intake should be monitored, so you should control the amount of Cheese Balls he gets. Sodium is abundant in cheese products because they are typically processed foods with preservatives.
Dogs can develop kidney disease and UTIs as a result of this. Consuming an excessive amount of salt can also cause sodium poisoning.
In addition, your dog’s teeth may decay and weight may increase due to the sugar content of most Cheese Balls. In the event that you feel compelled to feed your dog natural Cheese Balls, it is essential that you keep a close eye on their consumption.
Stop giving the Cheese Balls to your dogs as soon as you see any signs of illness and make an appointment with your vet.
UTZ Cheese Balls
For many, the thought of “Cheese Balls” automatically conjures up memories of their favorite childhood snack, UTZ Cheese Balls, available in cans of varying sizes (23 oz., 28 oz., 32 oz., and 35 oz.).
You can pick up one of these containers at any supermarket or grocery store. They fit perfectly in your mouth, are crunchy, and have a delicious cheesy flavor.
Let’s check out what goes into these UTZ Cheese Balls to see if they’re suitable for canine consumption:
UTZ Cheese Balls ingredients
- Flour made from corn.
- Cottonseed oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, and canola oil are all examples of vegetable oils.
- Whey.
- Maltodextrin.
- Pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, and enzymes go into both the semisoft and Cheddar cheeses.
- Milkfat.
- Salt.
- Protein Isolate from Whey.
- Solids from buttermilk.
- Genuine Taste.
- Phosphate of Sodium.
- This is an acid made of lactic acid.
- A #6 yellow.
- Extract of Autolyzed Yeast.
- Specifically, the #5 yellow.
- In this case, we’ll be using disodium guanylate.
- Man-made flavoring.
If there is an ingredient in your dog’s food that you have no idea what it is or can’t pronounce, it’s probably not good for your dog and you should probably avoid feeding it to your pet.
Corn meal is not healthy for dogs
Corn is the main ingredient in the Cheese Balls. After that, cheese is added to the balls so they can taste like cheese. Cornmeal is not good for dogs’ health.
Corn is not necessary for canines. As it turns out, corn products are difficult for our furry friends to digest.
Unfortunately, cornmeal is included in some dog foods without any justification. Cornmeal is just another filler ingredient that has no real nutritional value for our dog.
The cornmeal used to make Cheese Balls is probably mass-produced and of low quality.
Vegetable oils used aren’t the healthiest for dogs
Cottonseed Oil, Corn Oil, Sunflower Oil, or Canola Oil are used in the production of UTZ Cheese Balls.
Sunflower oil is the only option on this list that is safe and beneficial for canines. Even though the other vegetable oils on this list aren’t toxic to dogs, we probably shouldn’t feed them to our pet.
These are the best oils for our furry friends:
- Coco oil.
- Fish oil.
- Olives and virgin olive oil.
- Oil pressed from flaxseed.
- The oil extracted from sunflower seeds.
These natural oils have fat in them, which helps to keep your dog’s skin and coat soft, supple, and shiny.
Salt in excess amount is harmful to dogs
The amount of salt in a 35-ounce jar of cheese balls is 300 milligrams. If you’re not careful, your pets could get sick from eating too many Cheese Balls because of the high salt content.
Don’t forget that a daily salt intake for a 33 lb dog should be less than 100mg. The amount of salt in a 35-ounce jar of Cheese Balls is three times more than a dog needs.
If your furry friends have consumed an excessive amount of Cheese Balls, they will need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Dogs can suffer from sodium-ion poisoning if they consume too many Cheese Balls too quickly, and this danger increases if there is no water available.
If your dogs ate a lot of Cheese Balls, keep an eye on them for a while. Symptoms of salt poisoning can include:
- Led to a tongue that was bloated.
- Extreme thirst, resulting in frequent bathroom breaks.
- The sensation of nausea and the urge to throw up.
- Boiling-hot diarrhea.
- A state of fatigue or listlessness.
- Fainting.
- Lack of hunger or desire to eat.
- Discomfort or pain in the stomach.
- Tremor or spasm of the muscles.
- You might be feeling lightheaded, hazy, or achy.
- Experiencing problems breathing or respiratory distress.
- Quick beats of the heart.
- A malfunctioning or damaged kidney.
- Fluid accumulation within the dog’s body to a significant degree.
Helpful Tip: By analyzing the consistency and color of your dog’s vomit, you can learn what caused it. Check out our Dog Vomit Color Guide to double-check your observation.
Can Dogs Eat Cheese Puffs?
Dogs can eat a variety of foods that most other animals can’t because of their extensive taste bud repertoire. It is widely acknowledged that certain dog breeds, including bloodhounds and basset hounds, have an exceptional capacity for detecting and appreciating odors and flavors.
Not everything that dogs enjoy eating is safe for them to eat. While the low sodium content of Cheetos and cheese puffs should not pose a health risk, the highly processed nature of Cheese Balls may cause stomach distress.
If you overfeed your dog processed foods high in sodium, he or she may develop symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, a high body temperature, and even seizures.
Are Cheese Balls Safe For My Dog?
Cheese balls, such as Utz Cheese Balls, are safe snacks for dogs provided they are given in moderation.
Although many pet parents are hesitant to give their pets such treats due to the high sodium and fat content.
To be fair, however, dogs can have some processed snacks in moderation. This means that cheese balls shouldn’t be a staple of their diet and shouldn’t account for more than 10% of their calories.
Keep in mind that despite their tempting aroma and taste, cheese balls offer zero nutritional value to your pet.
If you treat your pet like a human and feed it cheese balls on the regular, there will inevitably be health issues down the road.
In that case, give your dog some cheese balls to snack on. Two to five cheese balls once a week should be sufficient, depending on the size of your dog.
Can A Puppy Eat Cheese Balls?
We don’t recommend hard foods like Utz cheese balls for brand new puppies because they don’t yet have any teeth to break them.
You shouldn’t give them any cheese until they’re at least 4 weeks old. At most, you should have one every seven days.
Can A Nursing Dog Eat Cheese Balls?
Yes, you can feed your pregnant dog a few bites. Although it’s probably okay to give a nursing dog some cheese balls as a reward, it’s not a good idea.
For optimal milk production, she needs a diet higher in nutritious food and lower in junk food.
Can An Elderly Dog Eat Cheese Balls?
The answer is yes, but only 1 or 2 cheese balls per week is safe for a senior dog.
Most older dogs experience some form of health problem, and if you gave your dog more than was recommended, it could make matters worse.
If you’re wondering why it’s recommended to only give your dog a few cheese balls at a time, it’s because of their high fat content.
You should be very careful about giving cheese balls to your dog due to the ingredients we’ve listed below.
The Ingredients Of Cheese Balls
Cheese ball ingredients are remarkably consistent across popular brands like Utz and Planters, with just about always including:
- Cornmeal
- Coconut Oil
- Whey
- Salt
- Powdered cheese
- Milk fat
- Acid lactic
- Colorings
- Pure buttermilk
Clearly, you shouldn’t be feeding your dog any of these things on a regular basis. A dog may not be able to properly digest some of these, and others may be toxic in large enough quantities.
Can Cheese Balls Hurt My Dog?
No matter how old your dog is, there would be problems if you fed it too many cheese balls.
We’ve described what goes into cheese balls, and now we’ll tell you what some of those ingredients can do to your dog in large quantities.
Too Much Cornmeal Is Not Good For Dogs
Cornmeal is the main component of cheese balls, but it is not a staple in a dog’s diet. Cornmeal is made from commercially grown yellow corn and offers no nutritional value to your dog.
Your dog’s digestive system isn’t adapted to digest corn like yours is. As a result, consuming an excessive amount of this component leads to gastrointestinal distress.
In addition, your dog’s blood sugar may rise if you feed him corn because of the food’s high glycemic index. High blood sugar and fatty food consumption cause pancreatitis, which has a cascading effect.
Pancreatitis can present itself in a variety of ways.
- Appetite loss
- Abdominal discomfort
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
What About Cheese Balls Made From Real Cheese, Are These OK For My Dog?
Actual cheeses like cheddar and Swiss are rolled into balls for this recipe. Your four-legged friend can have a tiny bit, but the lactose and salt content mean that’s all he can handle.
In addition, even all-natural cheese balls may contain preservatives that are harmful to your dog’s kidneys and urinary system if given in excess.
Real Natural Cheese As Training Rewards
Absolutely, on occasion, you can use these as a reward for your dog during training. This will boost your dog’s confidence and make it easier to teach it new commands in the future.
Make sure your furry friend doesn’t have a cheese allergy first. Natural cheese balls, cut into small cubes, are an excellent option. The next step is to keep an eye out for any adverse reactions, such as stomach aches, in your dog.
Real Natural Cheese Balls For Weight Management
Natural cheese balls are a great treat that can help you keep your dog at a healthy weight. These cheese balls are great for an underweight dog because they smell and taste delicious.
In addition, if your dog is ill and refuses to eat, cheese balls can be added to its regular food to help it get better nutrition.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Ate A Lot Of Cheese Balls?
Whether you choose the natural cheese balls or the processed variety in a can, you need not worry if your pet only eats a small amount. If, however, your dog devoured the entire bag of cheese balls, the tale would take a different turn.
In this scenario, calling the vet as soon as possible is crucial. Your vet may ask you to keep an eye out for things like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, especially if these symptoms worsen.
In such a case, your dog may be treated with medication and intravenous fluids to help him feel better.
Conclusion
So, are Cheese Balls dog-friendly? Indeed, they can. Cubed cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, and shredded mozzarella are also acceptable.
Dogs differ from humans in their dietary needs because they cannot process dairy products. If you must feed your dog processed cheese snacks, limit the amount you give it.
If your dog eats too much cheese, he or she may become sick, and a sick dog is a miserable dog.
Keep in mind that every dog is unique; some may be able to eat more than others without any ill effects, but it never hurts to err on the side of caution.
If you can, feed your dog only natural foods, like leafy greens and lean meats, which are great for his health.
Before introducing a new food to your dog, it is best to get the vet’s opinion on what is best for your dog.
Common Questions
Can Dogs Eat Cheese Puffs By Gerber Baby?
Cheese and processed foods, including those made for babies, can be harmful to dogs.
Whether you give them a lot or a little, these processed Cheese puffs could give them the runs.
If you want to avoid giving your dog a bunch of processed ingredients, cheese, and sodium, it’s best to stick with dog food.
Can Dogs Eat Baked Cheetos?
However, the fact that they are baked does not make baked cheetos any better for you than their fried counterparts.
Keep your dog away from these treats because they are full of processed artificial ingredients and sodium. If you must treat your furry friend to Cheetos, do so sparingly.
Can Dogs Eat Crunchy Cheetos?
It doesn’t matter if a snack is crunchy, standard, or baked; it’s still junk food. Crunchy cheetos are not good for your dog, so don’t feed them to him very often.
Can Dogs Eat Mini Cheetos?
These smaller versions of the junk food are just as bad for you as the regular Cheetos. The only bright side is that their diminutive size means they are less of a threat to your health. Mini Cheetos shouldn’t be a regular treat for your dog, but every once in a while is fine.
Not all dogs have the same reaction to processed foods, so it’s important to monitor your dog’s behavior. If you are worried about your dog’s reaction, you should make an appointment with your vet.
Can Dogs Eat Organic Cheetos?
In moderation, organic Cheetos for your dog are fine, but you shouldn’t make them a regular part of his diet. Despite their pleading and adorable puppy dog eyes, resist the temptation to feed your dog an unhealthy amount of processed food.
Can dogs have white cheddar Cheetos?
Avoid eating too many of these or any other processed snacks. Always check the sodium content, as giving your dog too much salt could be dangerous.
Dogs benefit from eating an organic, balanced diet, and cheddar Cheetos don’t qualify.
Can Dogs Eat Hot Cheetos?
Can dogs eat Cheetos if they’re too hot? When contemplating the consumption of dot hot Cheetos, this is a question that frequently arises. Don’t put Cheetos in the microwave and then feed them to your dog.
There’s really no reason for your dog to not join you at the bar for some mild buffalo wings as long as they’re fed a balanced diet and get plenty of exercise.
When we say “HOT,” though, we’re not talking about mild spices like pepper or oregano; we’re talking about things like hot sauce, wasabi, habanero peppers, and cayenne pepper, all of which can cause serious stomach upset in your dog.
Cheetos, and anything else labeled “HOT,” should never be given to your dog.