Can Border Collies eat cheese?
Yes, Border Collies can eat cheese, but some types are better than others.
Cheese is a popular food among humans and is nutrient-rich and low-cost. That’s why many Border Collie owners wonder if they can share their favorite snack with their furry friends. And the answer is yes—you can feed cheese to your Border Collies. But there are lots of questions you might have about the safety of cheese for your Border Collie. Let’s go over all of them!
First, let’s talk about whether cheese is safe for Border Collies. Then we’ll go into which types of cheese are best, and finally we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about feeding your Border Collie cheese.
Is cheese safe for Border Collies?
Cheese is safe for Border Collies, but moderation is key.
Border Collies can eat cheese in moderation, but it’s better not to feed them any cheese that has been processed with chemicals or harmful additives. Also, introduce it slowly, and only serve small pieces at a time. In rare cases, some Border Collies may have an intolerance to lactose or an allergic reaction to cheese. If you notice any abnormal symptoms after feeding your Border Collie cheese, consult a veterinarian immediately.
Benefits of feeding cheese in Border Collies
Why you should feed cheese to your Border Collie:
Protein: Cheese is a great source of proteins and amino acids.
Essential fatty acids: Cheese is an excellent way to add Omega-3 fatty acids to your pet’s diet, which supports their immune system, brain function, and skin health.
Calcium: Cheese is a great source of calcium for Border Collies. It helps build strong bones, but also helps with muscle contractions and nerve transmissions.
Vitamins: Cheese contains vitamins A, B2 (riboflavin), B12, D and K2—all of which are necessary for a healthy and happy Border Collie. Vitamins A, B2 and B12 help your pup’s eyesight, their metabolism and their energy levels. Vitamin D helps them absorb calcium while K2 helps blood clotting and keeps the heart muscles strong.
Training tools: Use cheese as a way to reward your pet while they’re training (or just as a treat) so they learn that good things happen when they are good Border Collies!
Concealing pills: If you need to hide medication in something tasty for your pooch, cheese is a great option because it’s just about the tastiest thing on earth!
Do all Border Collies like cheese?
As much as we wish it were true, not all Border Collies love cheese. While cheese can be a great treat for your Border Collie, there are some Border Collies that do not like cheese at all. Some Border Collies are lactose intolerant, just like people. This means that cheese is hard for them to digest and will cause stomach upset such as gas, diarrhea or vomiting.
If you have a Border Collie that you think may not like cheese, there is no need to force them to eat it. Instead, try other Border Collie-friendly treats like cooked chicken or rolls of low-sodium deli meat.
Can my Border Collies have cheese every day?
Some people think their Border Collie will get bored with the same treat every day, and that’s probably true. It’s a good idea to vary your Border Collie’s treats so they have something to look forward to.
Cheese is high in fat, so we recommend keeping it as an occasional treat. There are lots of other healthy snacks your Border Collie might enjoy. Try some baby carrots, or maybe a spoonful of peanut butter (make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol).
Can Border Collie puppies eat cheese?
Yes, puppies can eat cheese—but it’s important to wait until they’re at least two months old.
Young puppies have delicate digestive systems, so they need to be on a specialized puppy diet during their first two months of life. (Check with your vet before introducing any new food to your puppy’s diet.) After that, you can introduce cheese as a training tool or treat, but start with just a small bite.
Cheese is a great source of calcium and protein, but some types of cheese are high in fat. So be careful not to go overboard: too much cheese can cause health problems in older Border Collies, including weight gain and even pancreatitis.
How much cheese can Border Collies eat?
Many people ask us, “How much cheese can Border Collies eat?”
The answer is that you should consult with your veterinarian for specific serving sizes since it depends on the age, size and lactose tolerance level of your Border Collie. We recommend you start out by giving your Border Collie a small piece of cheese to make sure there are no adverse reactions. If nothing happens, you can give them more.
As a rule of thumb, we follow what we call “the 90/10 rule” so 90% of the food your Border Collie eats is regular food while 10% can be treats like human food or cheese.
What kind of cheese can Border Collies eat?
1. Mozzarella: This cheese is low in fat and is a great option for a pup that needs to lose weight or maintain their current weight.
2. Cottage Cheese: Also low in fat and makes a good treat for your furry friend.
3. Swiss Cheese: Low in lactose but full of flavor!
4. Cheddar: With low levels of salt, this cheese is a great addition to a snack for your pooch!
5. String Cheese: A low-lactose, low-salt option that will give your Border Collie some stringy fun! Just be sure to break it up so they can swallow easily.
What types of cheese are bad for Border Collies?
1. Blue cheese: Contains Roquefortine C, which causes vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea in Border Collies.
2. Goat cheese: More lactose than cow’s milk, and therefore discouraged.
3. Cheesecake: Very high fat content—risk for pancreatitis.
4. Cream cheese: High in fats—can lead to obesity in Border Collies.
5. Parmesan cheese: High in sodium, can cause heart problems in Border Collies.
6. Cheese puffs: A lot of fat and sodium—risk for obesity and heart problems and gastrointestinal distress
How to serve cheese to your Border Collies?
Cheese is a high-value treat for Border Collies, and we can also use it to reward your Border Collie for good behavior. But you shouldn’t feed it to your Border Collie regularly. Cheese may be safe for Border Collies in moderation, but too much can cause digestive upset or even lead to obesity. If you want to feed cheese to your Border Collie, use small amounts (only an ounce).
How you serve the cheese is also important. You don’t want to give your Border Collie large pieces of cheese, as they are difficult for her to chew and swallow. Instead, cut it into small pieces or crumble it up. You can also mix it into her regular food or pour some melted cheese sauce over her kibble. Use only low-fat cheeses like cottage cheese or mozzarella, and avoid any varieties that contain garlic or onion powder, which are toxic to Border Collies.
What are the risks of feeding cheese to your Border Collie?
Cheese is a great treat for most Border Collies, but there are some considerations you should keep in mind before sharing your snack with your canine companion.
For one thing, cheese is high in fat, and feeding too much to your Border Collie regularly can cause weight gain and lead to obesity. Obesity can have serious consequences, including diabetes, heart disease, joint pain and arthritis, respiratory disorders, and even cancer.
Cheese also contains high levels of lactose (milk sugar), which some Border Collies don’t tolerate well. If your Border Collie is lactose intolerant, giving him cheese can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems.
Finally, many cheeses contain toxic additives like garlic, onion or salt that can make your Border Collie sick if he eats even a little. If you do feed your Border Collie cheese as a snack or reward, it’s important to use small portions and avoid these types of cheeses altogether.
Other human foods Border Collies can eat
What other human foods can border collies eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Border Collies can eat.
So, can Border Collies eat cheese?
Yes, Border Collies can eat cheese. That doesn’t mean that all cheese is good for them, though. Choose the safer cheese from the list above, like cheddar or mozzarella, and make sure it doesn’t have any additives like garlic or onion. Cheese is rich in protein, calcium, and phosphorus, making it an excellent treat for Border Collies. However, don’t overfeed. It’s best to follow the 90/10 rule: 90% of your Border Collie’s diet should be their regular food, while treats like cheese should comprise only 10%.