Can Dogs Eat Provolone Cheese? 7 Facts Revealed

Is provolone cheese safe for dogs to eat? In very small quantities, provolone cheese is safe for dogs to eat.

Because it is produced from cow’s milk, provolone cheese is usually considered to be safe for canines. It has fewer carbohydrates and fats, but more protein and calcium.

Reduced calorie intake from a cheese cube doesn’t mean your pet won’t benefit from the growth of muscle and bone.

Provolone is a good option for smaller dogs or dogs with difficulty chewing because of its soft texture and tendency to fall apart when chewed.

Read on to learn about provolone cheese and whether or not it’s safe to give it to your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Provolone Cheese?

If your dog is lactose intolerant or has a dairy allergy, Provolone Cheese is not something you want to give them. In addition to being high in sodium and fat, Provolone cheese has a high calorie density.

A small piece of Provolone Cheese is a tasty treat for dogs that do not have lactose intolerance. You shouldn’t feed Provolone Cheese to your dog on a daily or even weekly basis.

What is Provolone Cheese?

The Provolone Cheese sold in stores and supermarkets today is produced with whole, cow’s milk. The flavor of this semi-hard cheese, wrapped in a smooth rind, varies with the amount of time it has been aged and whether or not a goat’s or a calf’s enzyme was used in the making of the cheese.

For example, the lipase (enzyme) from a goat produces a very sharp, piquant flavor in aged Provolone cheese (also known as provolone piccante), while the lipase (enzyme) from a calf produces a milder, sweeter flavor in aged Provolone cheese (also known as provolone dolce).

Although you can find Provolone Cheese made all over the world, its roots can be traced back to Campania, Italy. This is why Provolone is known as the Italian Cheese.

After the standard steps in making cheese are completed, this delicious product is aged using the pasta filata method, in which the plasticized curd cheese is kneaded in hot water and stretched. Consequently, the Provolone Cheese has a firm, fibrous structure.

What is Provolone Cheese made from?

The constituents of Provolone Cheese are as follows:

Ingredients in Provolone Cheese

• Normal milk that has been pasteurized.
• Cultures.
• Salt.
• This enzyme is certified as kosher.
• Authentic smoky taste.

Is there a safe dose or quantity of provolone cheese for dogs?

A dog’s treat shouldn’t account for more than 10 percent of its daily caloric intake, according to experts.

Those 35 calories would only be enough to make a tiny bit of cheese, which isn’t going to satisfy a dog that weighs around 35 pounds. Thankfully, low-fat provolone cheese options are low in calories (1 ounce = 45 calories).

The saturated fat in cheeses can cause potentially fatal pancreatitis or lead to obesity (also for humans; read more).

Is Provolone Cheese bad for dogs?

Dogs shouldn’t eat Provolone Cheese if the canine is lactose intolerant, allergic to dairy products, or has a food intolerance to these items.

Looking at the ingredients, it’s clear that some of the components of Provolone Cheese can be problematic for a dog’s digestive system.

Milk in Provolone Cheese is harmful to dogs that are lactose intolerant

The first ingredient is pasteurized milk, as we can see. The manufacturer used the most of the first ingredient, pasteurized milk, and it accounts for the majority of the total weight of the product.

Most adult dogs are lactose intolerant, making this situation dangerous for our canine companions. What gives?

Newborn puppies get their nutrition from their mothers’ milk. Newborn puppies typically have an abundance of the lactase enzymes to break down the lactose (sugar) found in their mother’s milk. A female dog’s milk has about 3% lactose concentration.

They eventually stop nursing and transition to solid food as the puppies mature. They develop lactose intolerance because their lactase enzyme production drops off during this time.

The severity of clinical symptoms triggered by consuming dairy products in dogs with lactose intolerance ranges from dog to dog.

A female dog’s milk has a low lactose concentration of about 3%, as was mentioned earlier. If you consider that cow’s milk contains a lactose concentration of 5%, you’ll understand why nursing puppies, especially very young ones, simply cannot produce enough lactase enzyme to digest cow’s milk.

In addition, the lactose content of Provolone Cheese ranges from 0% to 2.1%.

You may be wondering how to tell if your adult dog is lactose intolerant.

There are a few telltale symptoms of lactose intolerance in canines:

• Urinary and fecal incontinence accidents at home.
• Abdominal distress.
• Discomfort in the belly area.
• Depression caused by a lack of food.
• Dropping pounds.
• Experiencing severe gas and bloating.
• Defecation or diarrhea.
• Lack of water intake, to the extreme.
• Vomiting.
• Dehydration.
• Weakness.

It is strongly advised that if you suspect your dog has lactose intolerance, you have it confirmed by your dog’s veterinarian. Your canine companion may have an intolerance or allergy to dairy products like Provolone Cheese.

The best way to ease Fido into this mild, smoky cheese is to start with a very small piece.

For the next 12 to 24 hours after your dog has consumed the Provolone Cheese, keep a close eye on him in case he develops any adverse reactions or unusual behavior. You should stop feeding him Provolone cheese if you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms of lactose intolerance.

If your dog appears to be doing well after eating the Provolone Cheese, you can gradually increase his intake.

However, we warned against feeding him daily or even multiple times a week of Provolone Cheese due to its high calorie count, high sodium content, and high fat content.

High salt content in Provolone Cheese can lead to sodium poisoning in dogs

Nutrition facts for 1 ounce (or 28 grams) of Provolone Cheese reveal that it has 210mg of sodium. For us humans, this may not seem like a lot, but for our beloved dogs, this is quite a bit of sodium.

Analysis of the Nutrient Content of One Ounce (or 28 Grams) of Provolone Cheese

Salt is an essential part of the main meal for all dogs. When ingested by your dog, salt is converted into ions and serves an electrolyte function. As a result of the ions, the following canine cellular processes are kept running smoothly:

• Indication of nerve signaling.
• Equal amounts of acids and bases.
• Control blood pressure and volume.
• Rein in your stomach’s urges.
• Do your best to keep your fluid levels stable.

On the average, the sodium and chloride requirements of our canine companions are 0.06% and 0.09%, respectively. It has been determined by the National Research Council (NRC) that our canine companions require 13.3 mg of sodium per kg of body weight. A Chihuahua of 10 pounds needs only 60.33mg of sodium per day.

His main course should provide the necessary 60.33mg of sodium. An excess of 210mg of sodium is delivered if you feed your small Chihuahua just 1 ounce (28 grams) of Provolone Cheese.

Sodium poisoning occurs when dogs take in excessive amounts of sodium. Dogs with salt poisoning will show symptoms like:

• Tongue swelling.
• Severe dehydration.
• Urination occurring frequently.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Stomach ache.
• diarrhea with a lot of water.
• Dehydration.
• Lack of hunger.
• Rapid heartbeat, also called tachycardia.
• We are having trouble breathing.
• Convulsions.
• accumulation of fluid in the body.
• Fever.
• Confusion.
• Headache.
• Spasms in the muscle tissue.
• Frailty of the body.
• Having no juice left in the tank.

We urge you to consult a veterinarian immediately if you think your dog has salt poisoning. In cases of sodium toxicity, prompt medical attention is essential.

There may come a time when your dog’s veterinarian requests that you bring him in for a checkup. During the first phase of a full physical examination, they will check your dog’s vitals, including his or her blood pressure, breathing, temperature, pulse rate, and reflexes.

In order to determine your dog’s sodium levels, the vet will also need to perform the following procedures:

• Urinalysis.
• Absolute blood count.
• Science of the blood.
• The gases in the blood.
• The electrical activity of your dog’s heart can be measured with an electrocardiogram (EKG).
• Ultrasound.
• X-rays.
• CT scan.
• MRI.

Your veterinarian can use the results of these exams to determine the extent to which your dog’s heart, brain, and lungs have been affected by salt poisoning.

The vet might recommend an overnight stay at the animal hospital if the salt poisoning is particularly bad.

That’s because lowering the salt content back to normal takes time (sometimes days).

Brain swelling (cerebral edema) and even heart attacks have been linked to sudden changes in salt levels.

If you don’t want to rack up a huge bill at the vet’s office, it’s probably best to keep your dogs away from the Provolone cheese.

Provolone Cheese is calorie-dense and can lead to canine obesity

One ounce (28 grams) of provolone cheese has 80 calories, according to a nutritional analysis. Those are some serious calories for man’s best friend.

The 90/10 rule applies when it comes to rewarding our canine and feline companions. This means that only 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake should come from treats and the remaining 90% should come from a complete and balanced diet.

There can be serious consequences for our dog’s health if we deviate from the 90/10 rule. That’s because giving your dog an excessive amount of treats can cause them to gain weight quickly and eventually lead to obesity.

High-fat content in Provolone Cheese can lead to diabetes and arthritis in dogs

Provolone Cheese has about 6 grams of fat, 4 grams of which are saturated fat. Dogs shouldn’t eat saturated fats because they’re hard for their bodies to process.

High-saturated-fat foods, such as Provolone Cheese, can be very taxing on a dog’s digestive system and internal organs like the pancreas and liver.

Provolone Cheese may raise your pet’s risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, heart disease, and pancreatitis if fed on a regular basis.

Dogs, especially older ones, should not be overfed Provolone Cheese due to the link between obesity and heart disease.

Is Provolone Cheese good for dogs?

It’s okay to give your dog some provolone cheese every once in a while as a special treat.

The nutritional facts for Provolone Cheese reveal that it is rich in protein in addition to calcium and vitamin A. Carbohydrate counts won’t skyrocket thanks to provolone cheese.

Protein in Provolone Cheese provides dogs with healthy and strong muscles, skin, and hair

Protein is essential for the development and maintenance of strong muscles, skin and hair, and normal bodily functions in all dogs. Provolone cheese has 7 grams of protein per ounce.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which are then used to construct a dog’s skin, hair, nails, muscles, tissues, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

Dogs can get the protein-rich benefits of Provolone Cheese if you give them a very small piece (less than 1 ounce).

Simply put, protein benefits your dog in a number of ways, including:

• Mend broken tissues (such as skin, hair, and bone) and regain healthy skin, hair, and muscle.
• Keep your cells alive.
• Help maintain a strong defensive mechanism.
• Generate the anti-bodies, enzymes, and hormones you need.
• Give your furry friends a boost of vitality.

Calcium in Provolone Cheese supports proper bone development in dogs

To complement the protein, Provolone Cheese also contains calcium for your dog. Calcium is essential for the development of strong bones and muscles in dogs of all breeds.

Pregnant or nursing female dogs need extra calcium to help their developing puppies and to produce enough milk for their mothers.

Extra benefits of calcium in Provolone Cheese for your dog’s health:

• Your dog is able to get around, go on walks and runs, and engage in active play because of muscle contractions.
• Helps strengthen the muscles that control the body’s internal organs.
• Help the heart pump blood throughout your dog’s body by providing support for the cardiac muscle.

Calcium deficiency, also called hypocalcemia, can manifest in dogs that do not get enough calcium in their diet on a daily basis.

Calcium deficiency symptoms include:

• An impairment of muscle strength.
• A twitch in the muscle.
• The trembling of muscles.
• Convulsions.
• Lack of hunger.
• Vomiting.
• He’s staggering around like a drunk or a complete klutz.
• Discomfort with breathing.
• Panting.
• Face rubbing against household items.
• Extremely high temperature.
• Epileptic seizures.

Talk to your vet about calcium supplementation options if you think your dog may be deficient. If you want to supplement your dog’s diet with some calcium, try giving him a small amount of Provolone cheese.

Vitamin A in Provolone Cheese supports bone growth and good vision in dogs

Vitamin A is crucial for the development of organs in puppies, as well as for the health and development of their eyes, bones, skin, and immune systems.

If you insist on giving your dog some Provolone cheese, limit the amount to no more than 1 ounce (28 grams). This is a safe way to give them vitamin A without compromising their well-being.

Should you consider cheese as a snack for your dog?

Would you share your favorite cheese and crackers with your dog if he dropped by while you were munching on them? Or, what about feeding your furry friend a piece of your leftover pizza?

Many dog owners wonder if it’s okay to give their canine companions a snack of cheese because of its pure, unadulterated, and nutrient-rich nature.

Since the amount of lactose present in some cheese varieties is extremely low when compared to traditional dairy products like milk, it has been observed that cheese is generally a well-tolerated snack in most dogs. The issue of lactase insufficiency is thus resolved.

Other considerations, however, are not to be overlooked:

• The calories in cheese are high (find them all here). The 98 calories in just 1 ounce, or 1 slice, of cheese is quite a lot for a dog treat.
• Fats (mostly saturated) account for 70% of the cheese’s calorie content.
• Some medications, like Doxycycline, may be less effective if given with cheese because it may interfere with the body’s ability to digest the drug.

So, if you want to treat your dog with some cheese occasionally, do so in moderation.

My dog, however, goes absolutely nuts for this song.

What other kinds of cheese are good for dog?

Cottage cheese, which is low in fat and contains a lot of protein, is another type of cheese that dogs can tolerate.

Cheeses with a lower lactose content are generally well tolerated by most dogs, and these varieties are among the safest.

• A wedge of sharp Cheddar
• Parmesan
• Jack pepper
• The Swiss cheese
• Another lactose-free cheese

Pet owners will hide pills in cheeses like these for their canine companions if they can’t get the dog to eat the pills any other way.

What may happen if you give cheese to a lactose -intolerant dog?

Cheese can cause serious problems for your lactose-intolerant dog.

• Diarrhea that is very frequent
• Irresistible urge to vomit
• The risk of dehydration
• Sickening, putrid flatulence

What types of cheeses to avoid absolutely?

It’s best to stay away from any and all cheeses that contain potentially poisonous additives like avocado, onion, or garlic. Cream cheese is similarly not a good option as a pet snack because it contains additives and preservatives that could be harmful to dogs.

Furthermore, stay away from the following kinds of cheese:

• Small dogs shouldn’t snack on string cheese because a single traditional stick has about 90 calories.
• In addition to potentially harmful additives, Havarti cheese also contains onion and garlic.
• There is more lactose in cottage cheese.
• Toxins, such as roquefortine, are produced during the ripening process of blue cheeses (like Roquefort and Stilton) and other ripen cheeses, which can be fatal to dogs.
• Feta and Brie cheeses (higher lactose and fat content).
• cheeses infused with herbs

Observe the following indicators. Immediately consult a veterinarian if you notice any of the following symptoms in your dog after he has consumed cheese.

• Experiencing trembling or shaking
• diarrhoea with a lot of fluid loss
• Indifference or fatigue
• violent spasms or movements that cannot be controlled
• violent puking
• Lack of energy; sluggishness
• Anxiety, hostility, confusion, etc.)

If you can’t find provolone, though, it’s simple to make at home.

Conclusion

It’s best if we didn’t give our dogs any Provolone cheese. The fact that we have an innate desire to share our food with our four-legged friends makes this a challenge.

However, the wellbeing of our dogs should always come first. Assuming your dog is in good health, you can look forward to many happy, active, and playful years together.

Do not feel guilty if you do not wish to share your Provolone cheese. Every once in a while, sharing less than 1 ounce of Provolone Cheese is acceptable, but making it a regular practice is not recommended.