Is it safe to feed goat cheese to a dog? Adding goat cheese to a salad for lunch might make you wonder if Fido would like some, too. Is it safe for dogs to eat goat cheese if it’s okay for humans to eat?
There is no simple answer to the question of whether or not goat cheese is safe for dogs to eat. Unlike blue cheeses, which should be avoided in general, it is not technically considered to be toxic for dogs. On the other hand, dogs with lactose intolerance may experience discomfort after eating goat cheese.
Goat cheese is high in fat, so it’s best to treat it like a treat rather than a staple in your dog’s diet.
Inquire with your regular vet before giving your dog any human food, including cheese. What you must know about goat cheese and canines is detailed below.
Can Dogs Eat Goat Cheese?
Despite what you may read online, goat cheese is not safe for canines to consume. Although goat cheese is safe for dogs to eat, it does not provide the best nutrition for them.
As a result of its high fat content, goat cheese is harmful for dogs. Cheese is not suitable for some dogs because they are lactose intolerant.
Now, let’s take a closer look at this debate.
Why Is Goat Cheese Good for Dogs?
It would be a stretch to say that dogs can safely eat goat cheese. Cheese is a good source of several beneficial nutrients, but dogs can also get these nutrients from other, more species-appropriate foods. The benefits of feeding goat cheese to your dog are as follows.
Animal-Sourced Proteins
Dairy products are well-known for their high protein content. Proteins derived from animal sources are essential for a dog’s healthy development and upkeep.
Healthy Fatty Acids
Caprylic and caproic acid, two types of MCFAs, can be found in abundance in goat cheese. In addition to promoting healthy fat metabolism, the easily absorbed fatty acids found in this food do not contribute to weight gain.
Vitamins and Minerals
Multiple vitamins and minerals can be found in goat cheese. In addition to the B vitamins, minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium can be found in this food.
Sneaking Pills
Only one use for dogs and cheeses is universally recognized, and that’s for concealing pills and odoriferous medications. To conceal medications without drawing attention to themselves, goat cheese works wonderfully as a pill pocket. And if your dog is used to getting cheese treats on occasion, it won’t suspect a thing when you slip in the medication.
Can Goat Cheese be Bad for Dogs?
Overfeeding a dog with goat cheese, either frequently or in large amounts, is a bad idea.
Truth be told, the disadvantages and risks of giving goat cheese to dogs far outweigh the advantages. So, let’s examine the reasons why goat cheese is not a dog-friendly option.
Lactose Intolerance
The misconception that goat milk and other goat products are low in lactose persists. Goat milk has the same amount of lactose as cow milk, so this is not true. So, in a nutshell, lactose-intolerant dogs shouldn’t feed themselves goat cheese.
High Salt Content
You can expect a lot of salt in your goat cheese. Salt is beneficial in moderation, but too much of it can cause poisoning.
Too Much Saturated Fats
Goat cheese is a great source of healthy fats, as we’ve already discussed. Saturated fats, the unhealthy kind of fats, are abundant in it as well. Pancreatitis, an extremely painful and potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas, has been linked to high intakes of saturated fats.
The Casein Issue
Goat cheese, like other dairy products, is made with milk proteins. Casein, the primary protein in milk, is a well-established carcinogen due to its pro-inflammatory properties and facilitation of cancer at any stage. It’s also addictive, so the more of it you use, the more it makes you want to use it.
Weight Gain and Obesity
If eaten in sufficient quantities, almost any food can cause weight gain. A few goat cheeses can easily add up to several pounds. You should be aware that being overweight raises your chances of developing a variety of health problems.
How Much Goat Cheese Can my Dog Eat?
One bite-sized chunk of goat cheese is the recommended serving size for dogs (the size of the chunk will vary depending on the size of the dog, with larger dogs like Cane Corsos needing more cheese than smaller dogs like Bichon Frises).
As for how often to feed it, once a week is plenty when it comes to goat cheese for your dog. Keep in mind that the nutritional composition of goat cheese is not particularly beneficial for dogs, so there is no need to feed it to them on a regular basis.
Do not feed your young puppy goat cheese or anything else from the human diet. Just use the tried-and-true puppy method. Puppies have very particular dietary requirements and extremely delicate stomachs (and goat cheese is too much for them).
When Is Goat Cheese Okay For Dogs To Eat?
Canines are safe to eat goat cheese. When it comes to nutrition, it provides a little bit of protein and a few essential fatty acids that can aid in fat metabolism.
Magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, as well as several B vitamins, can all be found in goat cheese in relatively high concentrations.
If your dog is reluctant to take their pills, you can hide them in a piece of cheese and administer the medicine that way. Your veterinarian can instruct you on how to use a pill pouch.
To determine how much goat cheese is safe for your dog to eat as a treat, you’ll need to consider many factors, such as your dog’s age, weight, and general health.
If you want to know how much cheese is safe for your dog, talk to your vet about it.
When Is Goat Cheese Bad For Dogs?
The lactose in goat cheese makes it potentially harmful for dogs with lactose intolerance.
Generally speaking, if your dog has a negative reaction after consuming cheese or dairy, you should try to eliminate it from their diet.
Also, the high levels of sodium and fat in some varieties of goat cheese are bad for your dog’s health. It’s possible that overfeeding your dog goat cheese will lead to canine obesity, which can lead to a variety of other health problems.
Many commercially available goat cheeses may also contain additional herbs and spices that could be harmful to your dog.
Thus, you can probably feel safe giving your dog a small amount of plain goat cheese as a fun, occasional snack, but always remember to give only a small amount.
How to Prepare and Serve Goat Cheese for Your Dog?
There are undoubtedly healthier options out there for dog treats, but if you’re set on including goat cheese, please do so responsibly by using the appropriate goat cheese product and serving it at the appropriate frequency.
Goat cheese is the first ingredient, and it must be plain, without any coatings, herbs, or spices. Organic cheese made from the milk of grass-fed, free-ranging goats is always the best option.
When the cheese finally arrives at your house, it’s time to start serving. Dogs can be picky eaters, so you may want to break up the goat cheese chunk into smaller pieces. That way, you can savor the cheesy, savory moment for longer.
You can make homemade cookies for your dog by combining goat cheese with other ingredients that are safe for dogs. You can also add boiled carrots to the mixture and use the resulting puree as a tasty condiment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Eat Flavored Goat Cheese?
Dogs should not eat goat cheese with added flavorings. Some of the flavor enhancers used in dog food are outright toxic, while others may cause stomach problems. Not to mention the accumulation of pointless fat.
Can Dogs Eat Frozen Goat Cheese?
Frozen goat cheese, or any other type of frozen food, is toxic to dogs. Despite having strong teeth, dogs who chow down on frozen cheese run the risk of cracking their teeth or suffering other oral injuries. Not to mention that not all weather conditions permit the consumption of frozen treats.
Summary
In conclusion, goat cheese is not necessarily harmful to canines, but it also isn’t exactly beneficial to their health. Because of this, goat cheese is considered a treat rather than a staple food for canines.
It’s delicious, but it doesn’t add much to your health, so it’s best to limit your intake. As is the case with the vast majority of foods consumed by humans, moderation is key.