Cheese is a popular food among humans. It is nutrient-rich and low cost, making it a staple in many American households. That’s why many Akita owners think cheese is a good treat to give their Akitas. But can you feed cheese to your Akitas?
The short answer is “Yes,” you can feed cheese to your Akitas. But there are lots of precautions you need to take before feeding your Akita cheese. Thankfully, we’ll answer every question you have about feeding cheese to your Akita, so you can feel confident that you’re making the best decision for your pet.
Let’s start with the first question:
Is cheese safe for Akitas?
Yes, cheese is safe for Akitas in moderation.
But ensure they added no harmful ingredients to the cheese like raisins, macadamia nuts, or chocolate.
Introduce slowly and always serve in small pieces.
If you are feeding for the first time, watch for any abnormal signs. As rare as it is, some Akitas can show a food intolerance or allergic reaction.
If you observe any abnormal symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting remove from diet and contact your vet.
Benefits of feeding cheese in Akitas
Protein: Did you know that cheese is one of the top sources of protein for humans and Akitas alike? That’s right! When it comes to helping your Akita build lean muscle mass, cheese is a great option that tastes great.
Essential fatty acids: Cheese is also rich in certain kinds of fatty acids that support brain health, so your Akita can learn new tricks easily.
Calcium: If you’re looking to help your Akita maintain healthy bones, cheese can be part of a well-rounded diet that includes plenty of calcium.
Vitamins: Cheese is also loaded with vitamins A and B12, which boost the immune system and protect overall health.
Training tools: While it may not be good to overindulge your Akita with treats, cheese actually makes a great training tool for teaching your Akita some manners. Whether you just want your pup to sit or more advanced tricks like shaking and rolling over, cheese can make all the difference between an obedient pet and an unruly one.
Concealing pills: Finally, if you need to give your Akita medication but he’s a particularly choosy eater, hiding the pill in a small chunk of cheese.
Do all Akitas like cheese?
Unfortunately, no. Your Akita may not like cheese as much as you do.
Akitas have food preferences just like humans. If your Akita doesn’t like cheese, don’t force him to eat it. Instead, try other Akita friendly treats like carrots, peanut butter, or yogurt.
Consult with your vet before introducing a new food to your Akitas diet.
Can my Akitas have cheese every day?
Akitas can have cheese, but we don’t recommend it every day.
Akitas need to eat a balanced diet, just like humans do, and too much cheese (or any treat) can lead to health problems like weight gain, diarrhea, or even deterioration of teeth. Cheese is also high in fat, which can lead to pancreatitis.
Also, it’s best to vary the treats you give your Akita so they don’t get bored.
Instead of feeding your Akita cheese every day, try mixing it up with other low-calorie treats like apples or bananas (just make sure you remove the peel and seeds). These can also provide valuable nutrients that are missing from some commercial Akita food brands. Also, different treats contain different amounts of vitamins and minerals that your pup needs, so you’ll want to mix their diet up as much as possible to ensure your Akita gets everything he or she needs to thrive.
Can puppies eat cheese?
Yes, cheese can be a great training tool for your puppy, but it’s important to wait until they’re two months of age before introducing them to cheese. During their first two months, only give puppies specialized puppy food that is tailored to their delicate developmental needs.
Once they’re over two months old, you can give them just a small bite of cheese as a treat during training sessions. However, it’s important to always consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new foods into your puppy’s diet, as puppies have very sensitive digestive systems.
How much cheese can Akitas eat?
Akitas love cheese, but how much is ok to feed your Akita?
It’s a good question and one you should consult with your vet. They will give you a better idea of the serving size that’s right for your pooch.
The answer also depends on the age, size, and lactose tolerance level of your Akita. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), portion control is important for your Akitas diet and treats. They suggest starting out with a few small pieces and if there are no negative reactions, you can offer more.
The AKC also suggests always following the 90/10 rule: 90% of their food or treats should be nutritious, healthy options, and 10% or less can be a special treat.
What kind of cheese can Akitas eat?
We’ve compiled a list of cheeses that are perfectly safe for your canine companion, starting with the easiest to digest—and ending with the most difficult.
Mozzarella is the best choice for Akitas who have trouble digesting lactose. It’s low in fat, low in lactose, and tastes great!
Cottage cheese is another good option for pooches who have trouble digesting lactose. It’s also low in fat and has no salt.
Swiss cheese is a great choice for pups who have difficulty swallowing large pieces of food. They’ll be able to easily break it down into tiny bite-sized bits before they eat it.
Cheddar is not only great tasting but also has a low level of saltiness (so it won’t dehydrate your Akita). Cheddar is best served on crackers or fruit slices because it can be quite hard when eaten by itself.
String cheese is low in lactose and salt, making it an ideal snack for active Akitas. The stringiness may cause trouble swallowing if not broken down first, so break it up.
What types of cheese are bad for Akitas?
Blue Cheese: Contains Stilton fungus, which produces a substance called Roquefortine C. Roquefortine C is a mycotoxin (a fungus-produced toxin) that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in Akitas.
Goat Cheese: Goat’s milk naturally contains more lactose than cow’s milk—while Akitas can digest lactose in small amounts, feeding them large quantities of dairy products like goat cheese can lead to upset stomachs.
Cheesecake: They usually make Cheesecake with a high fat content, which can put your Akita at risk for pancreatitis.
Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is also high in fat and can lead to obesity if fed in excess.
Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese contains a high amount of sodium, which can increase your Akitas risk of developing heart disease.
Cheese Puffs: Cheese puffs are typically loaded with fat and salt, neither of which is good for your Akita’s health in the long run.
How to serve cheese to your Akitas?
Some Akitas are sensitive to lactose and will experience an upset stomach if they eat too much cheese. If your Akita has trouble digesting dairy products, you might feed them lactose-free cheese or cottage cheese instead. Cottage cheese has less lactose than regular cheese, so your Akita will process it more easily.
When serving cheese as a treat, break it up into small pieces. You can also mix it with your Akitas regular food—a sprinkle of cheese makes a nice food topper for Akitas. You can also create a cheesy sauce by mixing grated cheese and water together and pouring over harder Akita foods like kibble or biscuits. Or you can add some grated cheese to equal parts of cooked white rice for a delicious meal that will relieve your Akita’s sensitive stomach.
What are the risks of feeding cheese to your Akita?
The risks of feeding cheese to your Akita are high fat, lactose intolerance and the possibility of toxic additives.
Cheese has high fat content that can lead to pancreatitis in Akitas. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, which is a large organ behind the stomach that produces digestive enzymes and hormones. Pancreatitis can be mild or it can be very serious and life threatening.
Some Akitas are lactose intolerant, meaning their bodies cannot digest lactose properly. Cheese may contain high levels of lactose that can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. Symptoms usually occur 30 minutes to two hours after ingestion and can last for several days.
Some cheese may contain other toxic herbs like garlic, onion or salts that can cause gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage or anemia in Akitas.
Other human foods Akitas can eat
What other human foods can Akitas eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Akitas can eat.
So, can Akitas eat cheese?
Yes, Akitas can eat cheese. Cheese is rich in animal protein and fat, making it an excellent treat for Akitas. However, don’t overfeed! You should always follow the 90/10 rule when you’re feeding your Akita something that isn’t from their regular diet. This means that 90% of what your Akita eats should be from their regular diet (like their morning kibble), and only 10% should be treats like cheese.
As far as what kind of cheese is safest for your Akita, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Choose the safer cheese from the list above (these are all safe).
- Avoid cheeses that are heavily processed and high in sodium.
- Choose a cheese that doesn’t contain ingredients that aren’t Akita-friendly.