Can Dogs Eat Cheese?

So while cheese can be given to dogs as a treat - the saying is true - there can be too much of a good thing! Cheese is high in fat which can lead to certain health conditions, such as:

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis in dogs is a serious condition in which the pancreas becomes very inflamed and they can become very unwell. Pancreatitis is often triggered by high fat foods. 

While pancreatitis is typically associated with a single high fat meal, chronic high fat ingestion can lead to obesity. 

Obesity

Obesity is associated with a number of health issues such as arthritis. Obesity is also associated with a shorter lifespan and can decrease a dog's mobility and energy levels, diminishing their ability to enjoy activities. 

Diarrhoea & flatulence

Cheese is also high in lactose - lactose is a sugar that occurs naturally in milk and in order to digest this dogs need to have the enzyme Lactase. Puppies are born with the lactase enzyme however as dogs grow many lose the ability to digest milk properly. The inability to effectively digest lactose can lead to symptoms of lactose intolerance like flatulence and diarrhoea - which is no fun for your dog (or for you!)

Toxicity

Some cheeses can also contain ingredients which can be toxic to dogs like garlic or chives so it's important to check the ingredients of any cheeses before offering them to your dog too. 

Medication interactions

There are also types of cheeses that aren't recommended with certain medications - if your dog is on fluoxetine (a commonly prescribed anxiety medication) then they cannot be fed aged cheeses due to potential interactions with fluoxetine and Tyramine (a naturally occurring substance in certain foods).