Last Updated: 24/09/2026
Can Dogs Eat Cheese?
Can dogs eat cheese? Yes, in small amounts. Our vet covers pancreatitis risk, the safest cheese types, and why mouldy cheese and Cheezels are best avoided.
Author: Dr Samantha Wycherley BVSc
Reading Time: 4 minutes - short read
Yes – in small amounts, most healthy dogs can enjoy cheese as an occasional treat. It’s nutritious in moderation, but the fat and salt mean it should never be a daily habit, and mouldy or blue cheese should be avoided altogether.
It is a scene every pet parent knows well: you open a packet of cheddar, and suddenly, your dog appears out of thin air with their most persuasive "begging eyes." While it is tempting to share a slice of your snack, it is important to understand how dairy affects our canine companions. Cheese can be a high-value reward for training or a handy way to hide medication, but for some pups, it can lead to more than just a bit of flatulence. Understanding the balance between a nutritious treat and a potential health risk is key to keeping your dog’s tail wagging and their tummy happy.
Cheese has real nutritional upsides in small doses: protein for muscle growth and repair, calcium for strong bones and teeth, and vitamins A, B-12 and D for overall health. Dogs also find it highly palatable, which is why it works so well as a training reward or a way to hide a tablet or pill.
Can cheese cause pancreatitis in dogs?
Yes. Cheese's fat content is one of the everyday triggers we see for pancreatitis, a serious, painful inflammation of the pancreas - a genuine risk, not just a "cheese is a bit fatty" caveat. It matters especially because cheese is such a popular training treat: small pieces add up fast across a day of rewards.
Pancreatitis can strike suddenly or build gradually with regular high-fat feeding. If your dog has had it before, or is a prone breed, cheese is best avoided entirely - a vet-recommended low-fat diet with the occasional low-fat treat if your vet approves, is a safer option.
What other health risks does cheese pose for dogs?
Regular cheese feeding can also contribute to:
- Obesity, linked to arthritis, reduced mobility and a shorter lifespan.
- Diarrhoea & flatulence: Cheese is high in lactose too - puppies produce the lactase enzyme needed to digest this, but many dogs lose that ability with age, leading to flatulence and diarrhoea after dairy.
Two risks are easy to miss:
- Some flavoured cheeses contain garlic or chives, among the toxic foods for dogs - check the ingredients list.
- If your dog takes fluoxetine or another prescription medication, ask your vet before offering aged cheese, as there are potential interactions with fluoxetine and Tyramine (a naturally occurring substance in certain foods).
What's the best cheese for dogs?
Lower-fat, lower-salt options like cottage cheese, mozzarella, bocconcini and soft goat’s cheese are the safest everyday choices; cottage cheese is also lower in lactose, so it’s easier on the stomach. Aussie block "tasty cheese," a fridge staple here, is on the higher end for fat and salt - fine as a rare treat, not a daily one.
Cheezels and similar cheese-flavoured corn snacks aren’t really cheese – they’re a processed, high-salt snack with cheese flavouring only. An occasional piece won’t harm most dogs, but it offers none of cheese’s protein or calcium and shouldn’t become a regular snack or training reward.
Can puppies eat cheese, and how much is too much?
Puppies can try a small taste once weaned, but their digestive systems are still developing - keep portions smaller than an adult dog’s and watch for tummy upset. For dogs of any age, treat cheese as an occasional reward or pill-hider - a few small cubes, a couple of times a week at most - rather than a daily habit or meal topper.
Choose low-fat, low-lactose varieties and keep portions small and occasional. If you’re wondering what else is safe from the table, our guide to human foods safe for pets covers the full list.
If cheese is your go-to training reward, cheese-flavoured treats give you the same appeal without the fat load, a much safer way to keep treating without the pancreatitis risk. Check out our range of cheese-flavoured dog treats and our best dog training treats for some lower-fat options.
FAQ
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Thu 24 Sep 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Samantha Wycherley BVSc
Contributing Author, BVSc
Dr Samantha works as a companion animal veterinarian in Melbourne. Graduated from Massey University in New Zealand in 2015. I have worked in NZ, across the UK and in Australia. Special interests include wildlife and senior pet medicine.
