Can Dogs Eat Cheese Puffs
Can dogs have cheese-flavored snacks? Its so hard for humans to turn down bright-orange, crunchy snacks even though we know theyre not good for us! Imagine how much harder it is for a dog to walk away from the cheese puff you just dropped on the floor!
Cheese puffs and similar snack foods are very highly-processed foods, with high levels of sodium and other factors that are unhealthy unless eaten in strict moderation and even then, theyre just not that great for you! Ironically enough, cheese flavoring is often fairly skimpy on the actual cheese-related ingredients. That doesnt mean it doesnt taste good, but it does mean that, overall, cheese puffs are not a good choice for your dog.
Is Cottage Cheese Good For Dogs Can Dogs Eat Cottage Cheese
by Allison Shalla, Dogly Wellness Advocate& Canine Nutritionist
Cottage cheese is packed with nutrients and is an excellent source of protein. Cottage cheese is made from the curds of pasteurized cows milk, and it comes in varying levels of fat, including nonfat, reduced fat, and regular fat. It is among the dairy products that can offer probiotics . Dog owners often wonder if dairy products are suitable for their pooch because we often hear of people having lactose intolerance. This can be an issue for dogs, so before adding a lot of dairy products to their food, be sure your dog is not lactose intolerant. Lets see what health benefitscottage cheese offers and how to determine if it is a good addition for your dog.
More People Foods You Should Share With Your Dog
“Can my dog eat that?” To help you anser this question, we’ve put togethe a list of dog-approved foods. If you are looking to add a bit of excitement to your dogs mealtime or for new treat ideas for tasty treats, read on! Keep in mind that the people foods listed below should be fed as an extra treat in addition to or as part of a balanced diet. Extra foods shouldnt make up more than 25 percent of your dogs diet. Just be sure to try out new foods one at a time until youre certain that they dont upset your dogs stomach.
Rice
Squash, like pumpkin, can be added to bulk up his stool and is a good source of betacarotene . Hint: remove the seeds and then slice and freeze the squash to make it a fun, crunchy snack for your dog.
Popcorn that has been air popped with no butter or salt is a great low calorie treat for your dog. Popcorn contains potassium as well as the bone-building minerals phosphorous, magnesium, and calcium. So snuggle up and share that popcorn with your furry friend next time you watch a movie.
Lean meat with no visible fat and no added sauces or seasonings can be a great training treat or can add a bit of good-quality extra protein to your dogs diet. Lean meat is an excellent, balanced source of amino acids, the building blocks of muscle in your dogs body. Meat is also a great source of B vitamins . These vitamins are involved in energy metabolism in the body.
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How Much Cottage Cheese Should I Give My Dog
Anytime you make a change in your dogs diet, it is best to consult the vet. Your vet may believe that adding some dairy/probiotics to your dogs diet could be a great thing, and others will tell you to avoid it. Only you and your vet know the specifics of your dogs health and diet. If you do get approval for cottage cheese, then it is generally safe to give a spoonful or so of cottage cheese to your dog every day.
You may not want to get them started on a new routine like this. It may be best to save cottage cheese as a treat once a week instead. If you start putting cottage cheese in your dogs food every day, they may become dependent on the taste and give you a hard time should you suddenly take it away.
On a day when your dog is given some cottage cheese, make sure they get extra water as well. Cottage cheese is high in sodium and could cause your dog to get dehydrated. Although this is quite rare, you will likely just notice that your dog is a bit thirstier after eating cottage cheese. Leaving out a little extra water will help this problem.
Are There Other Advantages To Cottage Cheese
Weve established that cottage cheese is pretty good for your dog compared to a lot of the other stuff you could feed them. Is there anything else it has going for it?
You might find that your vet recommends feeding cottage cheese to your dog if they have gastrointestinal issues. When dogs get upset stomachs you shouldnt just feed them whatever they want or go on giving them their normal dinners. Certain foods will help to calm their tummies and make them feel better.
When a dog gets sick and has vomiting or diarrhea, its good to put them onto something bland and easy to digest. These foods avoid worsening the issue and help them get back on the right track.
As with everything, although cottage cheese has its benefits, you dont want to overfeed it to your dog. They can even have too much of the good stuff, so moderate those portions.
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Can My Dog Eat Cottage Cheese
This is a question thats been asked often, and theres a lot of information to be found online. Weve put everything you need to know in this comprehensive article.
Were glad to report that, yes, your dog can eat cottage cheese. It can be used as a treat or as something to bulk out their regular meals and has several benefits. While a lot of dogs may be partial to a bit of cheese every now and then, this is one that could actually help them as part of their diet.
So whats so good about cottage cheese, and are there any downsides? Read on to find out!
Health Benefits Of Eating Cottage Cheese
There are presently no scientific research papers discussing the health benefits or risks of feeding dogs cheese.
Some cheese brands may include probiotics, which are sure to make your dog crave this treat even more.
A number of canine studies have demonstrated the benefits of probiotics, though more research is needed to confirm whether this applies to dogs.
Its important to remember that probiotics tend to have a short shelf life, so only mix up a batch that your pet will consume within a week or so.
In the event that you are considering include probiotics in your dogs food, it is advised that you consult your veterinarian. Some dogs may have sensitivity to certain probiotics.
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How Much Cottage Cheese Can I Feed My Dog
Dogs may safely consume cottage cheese on a daily basis, as long as the amount consumed is kept to a minimum. Cottage cheese should not account for more than 10% of a persons total daily calorie consumption, according to the American Heart Association. This translates to around a couple of teaspoons each day on average.
Selecting The Right Brand
Keep in mind the type and amount of cottage cheese you share with your dog. Cottage cheese can have a high sodium content, which can lead to high blood pressure. Its better to choose a low-fat variety and low-sodium brand, if possible.
Cottage cheese that contains flavoring agents such as onion, chives, and garlic can present a toxicity risk. Avoid feeding your dog anything but plain, low-fat cottage cheese.
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Can Dogs Eat Cottage Cheese Every Day
As stated earlier, dogs usually like the bald taste of cottage cheese. With its complementary advantages of protein, calcium, and vitamins, you may give it daily to your pooch.
Yet, considering the fat and lactose value of this dairy product. You need to be cautious about the amount of cottage cheese, youre feeding to your doggo.
According to the diet preference of dogs, cottage cheese, or any other dairy product should not constitute more than 10% of the daily dietary intake of your dog.
As in general, you can feed 1 to 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese to a medium-sized hound. The quantity served to an elder dog, should be less than this.
However, instead of regularly feeding cottage cheese to your hound, you may try other protein sources too.
As suggested by many veterinarians, cottage cheese should be a sick treat for dogs. This means, preferably, you should feed cottage cheese to dogs when theyre sick and are not willing to take their regular protein diet.
What To Feed A Dog With Diarrhea
In the same way that humans who are feeling unwell are often referred to the BRAT diet, there are a few foods that can help alleviate your pup’s tummyache and diarrhea.
All of these foods should be served plain and unseasoned. Please read the preparation sections below closely, as they contain critical information that could affect your dog’s health if ignored.
Plain white rice is a good food to offer a dog with diarrhea or an upset stomach.
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Health Benefits Of Cottage Cheese
- Anorexic or ill dogs tend to have depressed appetites. Cottage cheeses great taste and texture can help stimulate food intake during clinically critical periods. This could help your pet recover faster.
- Dogs can be lactose intolerant and dont always digest dairy well, but cottage cheese is fermented and contains very little lactose. This means that dogs with digestive challenges can still tolerate cottage well, especially the low-fat varieties.
How Should I Feed My Dog Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese can be a bit messy to eat, so be prepared to have to wipe down your dogs face after the meal. Most dog owners will add the cheese directly to the feed or put a small amount in the bowl after your dog is finished with their meal. If your dog has been suffering from some stomach issues and you want to use cottage cheese to start reintroducing a mild food, you may start with some rice first and move on to cottage cheese once the rice has been held down by your dog.
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How Much Can You Give Your Dog
Despite the fact that cottage cheese offers several health advantages for canines, it is still not the best option in an emergency situation.
It should only be used in certain situations, such as to treat your dogs diarrhea or constipation. If possible, keep it to an amount that wont upset your dogs regular diet.
For example, medium-sized breeds should only be fed cottage cheese if their food is otherwise lacking.
Keep cottage cheese as a special treat or for days when your pet is not consuming other food types.
Because cottage cheese is high in fat, you should monitor your dogs weight carefully. If your dog is overweight and you feed them cottage cheese every day, this may help them lose a few kilos.
Precautions For Feeding Cottage Cheese
While cottage cheese might seem like the perfect snack for your puppy, there are still some precautions you should take into notice before giving it to them. There are some situations where cottage cheese might be unsuitable or even damaging to your pups health. Due to this, we recommend that you rule out all of these factors before you feed them this cheese:
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What Benefits Does Cottage Cheese Have
It is a curd cheese with a mild flavor and a smooth texture that is made from curds. Numerous nutrients, such as protein, B vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, selenium, and phosphorus are abundant in this food source. For those who want to reduce weight or gain muscle, cottage cheese is one of the most helpful meals they may eat to achieve their goals.
Can Dogs Eat Cottage Cheese The Risks And Benefits
While mozzarella is Americas favorite cheese, did you know that USDA averages that each approximately eats two pounds of cottage cheese yearly?
Quite underrated but it has been becoming quite popular in your fruits, salads, toasts and even pasta.
If you happen to be enjoying its soft, creamy and mildly salty cheese, you might have wondered if its safe to share some cottage cheese for your dog. Lets find out.
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Cottage Cheese: A Good Choice For Dogs
Lots of pet owners choose cottage cheese for their dogs. And its a good choice. Cottage cheese is a source of calcium and its lower in fat and sodium than other cheeses. Its also lower in lactose.
But you still want to be careful with dogs who have severe intolerances. And you should stillcheck the label. Cottage cheese can have added milk products and ingredients that arent good for dogs.
How Can I Feed My Dog Cheese
When buying cheese for your dog, look for lower sodium options and other than cottage cheese, stick to plain, hard cheeses. Cheddar and Swiss are good options. Please note that some ingredients commonly added to cheese can be toxic for dogs, so avoid any cheese with added ingredients, especially chives, garlic or onion. Of course, the piece of cheese you feed your dog should be of a size and shape that wont pose a choking hazard.
If you would like to make homemade dog treats that involve cheese, we recommend such recipes as this one for Cheddar Dog Treats.
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Can Dogs Eat Cottage Cheese
Is it okay for dogs to eat cottage cheese? While cheese can be safe to feed to your dog, there are some things to remember. Dogs eat cottage cheese in moderation. If you do want to give your dog cottage cheese, look for brands that are made with skim milk or low fat cottage cheese that has been cultured to reduce the lactose content.
Why Is Cottage Cheese For Dogs A Healthy Option
Dogs normally like the bland flavor of cottage cheese. Thus, theyll never say no to the few spoons of this nutritious dairy incorporated into their diet.
Although, its not only the flavor that is good. But also, the positive effects that cottage cheese lay on a dogs health.
Lets first see what nutrients do a regular low-fat cottage cheese provides in your buddys meal. These are:
- Riboflavin, and
Additionally, cottage cheese also contains minor benefits of Phosphorus, sodium, selenium, choline, zinc, copper, and folate. Yet, its better to opt for unsalted cottage cheese as excess sodium may cause detrimental health issues for your pooch.
Apart from that, cottage cheese helps in regulating blood sugar levels, nurtures the heart health of your doggo, strengthens bones, and also aid in balancing his weight.
Moreover, its not a high-calorie food. Thus, this cheesy treat will not contribute much to the daily calorie intake of your pooch.
Can dogs have cottage cheese then? Yes, accordingly, you can feed a decent quantity of cottage cheese to your dog on a regular basis.
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Bad Cheese For Your Dog
Harder, aged cheeses often contain a high salt content, making them bad choices. Some cheeses also have things added to them for flavor, such as garlic which dogs should never eat. If there is anything extra in the cheese make sure you know what it is and whether your dog is okay to have it.
Blue cheese should never be an option when it comes to dogs. This is because of a substance which can have serious adverse effects on dogs, ranging from vomiting to seizures, or even death in the worst cases. If you like some gorgonzola or stilton every now and then, keep it away from your furry friend.
Some consider goat cheese to be a good option for dogs, but a lot of it is actually still fairly high in fat and as such may not be best for them. Cheddar is also not great because of the saturated fat content.
Be Careful Of Added Ingredients
Many cheeses have ingredients in them to add to their flavor. Some ingredients like cranberries, rosemary or mango are safe for dogs. But others are not.
One common additive is glutamic acid, which can be dangerous for your dog. Glutamic acid is another name for monosodium glutamate or MSG. And MSG can alter your dogs brain response among other risks.
You also want to watch for is cheese thats smoked. Smoking with heat can cause substances called PAHs polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. And PAHs can be carcinogenic. Most cheeses are cold smoked. But if youre not sure, its better to find a different treat.
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What Dogs Should Not Eat Cottage Cheese
If you are thinking of giving your dog some cottage cheese, you must first make sure they are not lactose intolerant. Cottage cheese is a dairy product with much less lactose than something like milk, yet it does contain lactose. If you give a product with lactose to a lactose intolerant dog, the results will not be good. If you have already given your dog some cottage cheese and they have an upset stomach and diarrhea, chances are they may be lactose intolerant.
It is also not recommended to give cottage cheese to large breed puppies. Large breed puppies grow at an extremely fast rate, and that is why they need food explicitly tailored to their growth rate. Filling too much of their diet with cottage cheese could result in some negative health benefits.
Cottage cheese is not a high-calorie food however, if your dog is overweight, it is likely not necessary to be giving them cottage cheese. This is just extra calories in addition to their regular dog food that they dont need.
