Although cottage cheese is high in protein and healthy fats, there are some precautions to take before feeding it to your dog. Get the facts about the advantages of feeding cottage cheese to your dog and the right way to do it.
Is Cottage Cheese Safe for Dogs?
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends supplementing your dog’s diet of canned and dry dog food with a small amount of cottage cheese. Your dog’s diet should not consist of more than 10% table scraps. Cottage cheese is not a good choice for dogs, especially those with allergies or health problems.
The introduction of a new diet to your dog should be done with care. Always double-check with your vet before making any drastic changes.
What Is Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese, also known as ricotta, is a type of fresh cheese that is white in color and mild in texture. It is made by separating the curd from the whey of milk, most commonly cow’s milk.
Cheesemakers sometimes use salt or other seasonings after rinsing the curds. Cottage cheese can be prepared with either low-fat or full-fat milk.
There are several different types of cottage cheese, including low-fat, full-fat, and those with smaller, medium, or larger curds. It’s delicious on its own or with some juicy fruit.
Health benefits of cottage cheese for dogs
Cottage cheese is lower in fat and sodium than other cheeses, which can help lower the risk of canine obesity.
Cottage cheese’s lactose content is lower than that of other milk products because of the fermentation process. As a result, your puppy is less likely to experience an upset stomach.
Specifically, cottage cheese contains a number of vitamins and minerals that are vital to a dog’s health. Examples of such nutrients are:
- Protein. This gives your dog the fuel it needs to grow and repair its tissues.
- There is a lot of calcium in cottage cheese. This vital nutrient aids digestion, aids bone calcium storage, and improves heart function for your dog.
- Magnesium is an essential mineral that helps keep your heart healthy. Lack of magnesium in the diet can lead to a variety of health issues in canines, including heart arrhythmia, weakness, and gastrointestinal distress.
- Vitamin A helps the immune system work properly and is essential for maintaining healthy eyes and skin.
- Amino acids: the building blocks of protein. Ten of the twenty amino acids that canines need come exclusively from animal sources.
- A dog’s diet should include fatty acids because these compounds moderate the animal’s core temperature and provide a cushioning effect on the dog’s internal organs. They’re crucial to the health of your skin and joints, too.
- Supplementing your dog’s diet with beneficial bacteria found in probiotics is a great way to promote overall wellness. When it comes to probiotics, dogs that have recently been treated with antibiotics or are recovering from illness are the ones who stand to benefit the most.
- Potassium is an essential electrolyte for maintaining healthy muscle and nerve function.
If your dog is underweight, you can help him gain weight in a healthy way by feeding him cottage cheese.
Instead of giving a skinny dog more treats, which could make them sick, it’s better to get them some food. Doing so would completely negate the benefits of treating your dog to extra calories.
How to Feed Your Dog Cottage Cheese
It’s best to slowly introduce new foods to your dog by mixing them in with their regular food. You should opt for a low-fat, plain cottage cheese instead of one that is flavored and/or high in fat.
Add some cottage cheese to their regular food (just a teaspoon or so) and see how they react.
Tossing some cottage cheese in your dog’s bowl as a reward might be a nice idea if you don’t notice any negative reactions. Cottage cheese, like all human foods and dog treats, should be given to your dog in moderation.
An upset stomach, constipation, gas, diarrhea, and vomiting are all symptoms of a compromised digestive system in your dog, which can be brought on by feeding it too much cottage cheese.
Selecting the right brand
Cottage cheese can be a healthy treat for dogs, but be mindful of how much and what kind you give them. There is some evidence that the high sodium content of cottage cheese contributes to hypertension. If you can, opt for a low-sodium and low-fat version.
Onion, chives, and garlic, which are often added as flavorings to cottage cheese, can be toxic in large enough quantities. Stay away from anything other than plain, low-fat cottage cheese when feeding your dog.
Dogs that should avoid dairy products
Although many dogs have trouble digesting lactose, cottage cheese is usually fine for them. While most dogs can tolerate small amounts of cheese, some may have a negative reaction to it.
Milk allergies and pancreatitis are two conditions that can affect canine patients. Somewhat surprisingly, the symptoms of lactose intolerance, food allergies, and pancreatitis are all very similar.
Stop giving your dog cottage cheese if it shows any of the symptoms listed above.
The symptoms of food intolerance are similar to those of a food allergy but can manifest in different ways. While both can have similar symptoms, food intolerance develops after just one encounter with the offending food or additive, whereas food allergies typically require multiple encounters with the offending substance before symptoms appear.
Cottage cheese doesn’t have to come straight out of the carton when you feed it to Fido. Cottage cheese can be the base for a variety of canine-approved treats. The following are a few recipes that use cottage cheese and should be enjoyed by your dog.
Homemade dog food with cottage cheese
This homemade dog food is delicious and good for your pet.
Ingredients
- One pound of chicken meat
- 1 Tablespoon of Virgin Coconut Oil
- One Cup of Brown Rice, Cooked
- Cottage Cheese, One Cup
- 1 egg
- One serving size of spinach
- Peas, frozen, 1/2 cup
Directions
- In a large skillet, melt the coconut oil over medium heat.
- The chicken should be browned in a skillet over medium heat.
- While the chicken is in the oven, prepare the rice in a separate saucepan.
- Prepare about a half a cup of dry brown rice in accordance with the package directions. A cup after cooking should be the result.
- Combine the browned chicken with the rice, egg, and vegetables. Cover the pan and simmer the chicken on low heat for 5 minutes after you’ve added everything but the cottage cheese.
- When done cooking, add the cottage cheese and stir to combine.
- Cottage cheese dog food can be fed to your pet once it has cooled down. About 1/2 cup of this recipe should be used for every 20 pounds of body weight. Because some dogs have higher calorie needs than others, it’s best to check with your vet to determine the appropriate portion size.
Frozen yogurt cups
Both humans and canines will enjoy the flavor of these frozen yogurt cups. Most canine palates are fond of pumpkin, and this low-fat treat is perfect for dogs who could benefit from an increase in fiber. Yogurt can be used in place of cottage cheese.
Ingredients
- Ingredients: 1 cup of canned pumpkin
- 1 cup of low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese
Directions
Combined 1 cup of pumpkin and yogurt. Use a spoon to transfer the mixture to individual paper cups, then place them in the freezer. The paper should be removed just before serving.
Other foods that are safe for dogs
Oatmeal and pumpkin are two examples of dog-friendly foods. Vegetables are also perfectly safe for dogs to eat, and many canines can’t get enough of things like cucumbers, green beans, and carrots. Some commercial dog foods contain rice, and you can also safely feed your dog a small amount of cooked rice from your own plate.
Foods like blueberries, salmon, and sweet potatoes, which are called “superfoods” for their exceptionally high nutrient density, are also excellent options for your dog. You can make a healthy and tasty homemade dish for your dog by mixing some of these ingredients with cottage cheese.
There are plenty of good things to feed your dog, but there is also a long list of things you should never give your dog. Although chocolate is widely known to be poisonous to dogs, many people don’t realize that grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic also pose a threat.
Frequently asked questions
What does cottage cheese do for dogs?
Cottage cheese is a nutritious treat for canines because it contains protein, fat, and other essential nutrients. Due to its high calcium content and the presence of other compounds, cottage cheese can also help a dog with stomach problems.
How much cottage cheese should I give my dog?
Cottage cheese is a healthy treat for dogs, but they shouldn’t eat more than a few tablespoons at a time. Cottage cheese is fine as a treat, but it shouldn’t make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily calories.
Why is whole milk not recommended for dogs?
Due to its high fat and sugar content, this drink is not suitable for canines. Obesity and pancreatitis are serious conditions that can result from feeding your dog a diet high in fat. Dogs that are lactose intolerant may also be adversely affected.