It’s difficult to know what to feed your dog because you want to provide the best nutrition possible. And if you’re wondering if string cheese, in particular, is safe for your dog to eat, the answer is an easy “yes.”
Some string cheese is fine for your pet to eat, but only in small amounts. It’s possible, though, that there are circumstances where this isn’t the case. Cheese, even in small amounts, can cause negative reactions in your pet if it is lactose intolerant and has trouble digesting dairy.
If you’re curious about the safe and unsafe string cheese amounts for your dog, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of string cheese, and when it’s not good for your pet, keep reading…
What Is String Cheese?
String cheese, which is essentially processed mozzarella, is stringy because its proteins have been aligned during the processing. It’s easy to tear, so it’s great for snacking.
Moderate consumption of string cheese is likely to have no negative effects on your dog because of its low salt and lactose content.
The only risk associated with string cheese is that your pet could choke on it because of how stringy it is.
You can make string cheese safe for your pet by breaking it into chunks or cutting it into small pieces.
Is String Cheese Good for Dogs?
Feeding your dog a small amount of string cheese every now and then has been linked to numerous positive outcomes.
- Your dog will benefit from the protein, vitamins A and B12, minerals like zinc and phosphorus, calcium, riboflavin, healthy fats, and glutathione (an antioxidant) found in string cheese.
- String cheese’s high fat content is beneficial to your pet’s health because it helps fuel his daily activities and keeps him energized. Your pet’s skin and coat will benefit from the string cheese’s fatty acids as well.
- The calcium in the cheese can aid in the development of strong teeth and bones and the maintenance of a healthy blood pressure in your dog.
- Vitamin A: This crucial vitamin aids in the upkeep of your pet’s coat and skin, enhances muscle function, and provides a boost to the nervous system.
- Supports normal nerve and brain function, aids in maintaining a healthy digestive system, and is essential in making new red blood cells in the body.
- Zinc: It helps keep your pet healthy all around, especially with his immune system and thyroid.
- Along with calcium, phosphorus aids in the development of strong bones, teeth, tendons, and ligaments.
- Riboflavin is a coenzyme needed for the oxidation of fatty acids, proteins, and carbohydrates to produce energy in the body.
- Glutathione is a potent antioxidant that boosts the effectiveness of other antioxidants like beta-carotene, vitamin C, etc., is critical to healthy liver function, and improves the overall health of your cells.
- Unless your dog is lactose intolerant, string cheese won’t cause any stomach upset.
- The string cheese is easy to chew for both puppies and older dogs with tooth issues.
- Most dogs, even picky eaters like mine, can’t resist the irresistible aroma and flavor of cheese.
- The use of string cheese to conceal medication for your pet’s consumption is highly recommended. If your dog has trouble swallowing pills, try wrapping a piece of string cheese around the pill.
- String cheese is a great calorie-dense food that can help your pet put on weight quickly if it is underweight or malnourished.
- String cheese is a high-value treat that dogs will go crazy for. Because it’s so simple to break off little pieces and give them to your dog, many trainers recommend using string cheese as training treats. Your dog will do just about anything to get his paws on the tasty cheese.
Are Cheese Strings Bad for Dogs?
Dogs can safely eat occasional bits of string cheese. Indeed, string cheese isn’t all that dissimilar from other kinds of cheese, except that it’s sometimes more processed.
Although mozzarella is the most common cheese used to make cheese strings, the process of making string cheese technically does not necessitate any more chemical processing than making a ball of mozzarella.
Instead of rolling mozzarella into a ball, it is simply stretched until it can be peeled apart into thin ropes. This means that string cheese’s distinctive shape and texture can be achieved without the use of any additional chemicals.
However, some manufacturers prolong the shelf life of their cheese strings by adding chemicals and preservatives.
Most dogs can enjoy a few pieces of string cheese now and then without any ill effects. Except in the cases where your dog is lactose intolerant or extremely overweight.
Gas, bloating, and diarrhea are just some of the unpleasant side effects your dog may experience after eating cheese if he has lactose intolerance.
Even if your dog isn’t lactose intolerant, he may show these symptoms if he eats an excessive amount of string cheese, so it’s best to give him only a small amount, infrequently, as a treat rather than a nutritional necessity.
Are you unsure if your dog has a lactose intolerance?
In that case, you should definitely stop giving him any kind of dairy. Dogs have no nutritional requirement for dairy despite the fact that they can digest it.
You could also see if your dog has any reaction by giving him a very small amount of milk or cheese. In case of intolerance, try withholding string cheese from him for a while and monitoring his behavior.
However, if your canine companion is overweight, string cheese is something you should stay away from giving him. Because of the high levels of fat, sodium, and calories in cheese, feeding it to an overweight dog may make his condition even worse.
Do Cheese Strings Have Any Benefits for Dogs?
Cheese has many health benefits, and even dogs can enjoy them in moderate amounts. In addition to protein and healthy fats, calcium, vitamins A and B-12, and other nutrients, string cheese is a great source of these vitamins and minerals. There are, therefore, better treats you could be giving your dog than human food.
You can also give your dog his or her medicine by hiding it in a slice of cheese. Try wrapping a pill or chewable medicine in a piece of string cheese and giving it to him that way.
If the medication’s taste can be adequately masked by the cheese, he may even begin to anticipate taking it.
How Much String Cheese Can My Dog Eat?
Your dog’s age, size, weight, and level of activity are the most important factors in determining how much cheese he can safely consume. You shouldn’t make string cheese a regular part of your pet’s diet, but it is acceptable as a treat on occasion.
Treats shouldn’t account for more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake, and adult dogs need about 25 to 30 calories for every pound of weight to maintain health.
If your dog is between 45 and 50 pounds, he needs 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day, and treats like string cheese should only account for about 125 to 150 of those calories.
One or two pieces of string cheese are fine if they are the only treats you give your pet, as a single serving typically contains 80 to 90 calories.
What if My Dog Ate a Few Too Many Cheese Strings?
String cheese is not toxic for dogs, so it’s highly unlikely that your dog will suffer toxicity or permanent damage from eating too much in one sitting, despite the fact that he may get sick if he eats too much.
Cheese isn’t poisonous, so inducing vomiting isn’t necessary; furthermore, depending on where the cheese is in your dog’s digestive tract, doing so may cause him additional discomfort.
Keeping a close eye on your dog to make sure he doesn’t show any severe symptoms is your best bet. It’s likely that he’ll be lethargic, bloated, and gassy as a result of diarrhea and an upset stomach.
Let nature take its course with the cheese and give him lots of water to drink to help his body flush it out.
Until his digestive system returns to normal, try feeding him bland foods like plain white rice and boiled ground chicken.
Can Dogs Eat Cheez Whiz Instead of String Cheese?
Perhaps you’re wondering if string cheese is the only cheesy treat you can give your dog.
For instance, Cheez Whiz can be used as a medication disguise or as a treat that will hopefully occupy your dog for longer than a cheese stick because of its thick consistency.
Cheez Whiz can be fed to a dog in the same manner as string cheese (using the same rules of calorie counting to know how much you can safely feed your dog), but you should keep in mind that it is a more highly processed and less healthy cheese product.
KONG, a popular brand of dog toys, also produces a cheese treat that goes well with their interactive toys.
Unlike Cheez Whiz, the KONG Bacon and Cheese Easy Treat is specially formulated for dogs and packaged in a convenient canister that makes filling a Kong a breeze. In my opinion, nothing can replace the real thing.
I mean no offense.
You can’t go wrong with Himalayan yak sticks as a special reward for your dog. If you stick to the calorie limits, this is a much better option.choice!
Tips for Feeding Your Dog String Cheese
- Make sure string cheese is given to your dog occasionally and in moderation.
- Reduce the amount of treats given to your pet if you feed him string cheese.
- Start with a tiny piece and keep a close eye on your pet to make sure he’s not allergic to the cheese or lactose intolerant.
- If you want to give your pet some string cheese, select one that is low in fat and has no salt or a very low amount of salt, as giving your pet too much salt can lead to sodium poisoning.
- If you’re going to buy string cheese for your dog, make sure it’s plain and free of any potentially poisonous additives like onions, garlic, chives, etc.
- If you want to give your dog string cheese, make sure it’s okay to do so by consulting with your vet first.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that most dogs can safely enjoy an occasional piece of string cheese. On the other hand, if your dog has a lactose intolerance or is already overweight, you shouldn’t feed him string cheese because of the fat and calories it contains.
It’s okay to give your dog a little bit of string cheese or other cheese treats like Cheez Whiz or KONG Bacon and Cheese Easy Treat, but less processed treats like Himalayan yak sticks are much better.