Cheese is a popular food among humans. It’s nutrient-rich and low-cost, which is why many beagle owners like to feed it to their pets. But can you feed cheese to your beagles? The short answer is “Yes,” but there are lots of considerations to keep in mind. In this article, we’ll answer every question you might have about feeding cheese to your beagle. Let’s start with the most obvious question:
Is cheese safe for beagles?
Yes, cheese is safe for most beagles in moderation. The key is to ensure that it’s free of any harmful ingredients.
But even though cheese is safe for most beagles, you should always introduce it slowly, and you should always serve it in small pieces. This way you can make sure your beagle doesn’t have an adverse reaction. If it’s the first time you’re feeding cheese to your beagle, watch carefully for any abnormal signs or behavior. Although rare, some beagles can show a food intolerance or allergic reaction.
If you observe any abnormal symptoms after feeding cheese to your beagle, discontinue use immediately and consult with your veterinarian.
Benefits of feeding cheese in beagles
Many beagle owners are turning to cheese to supplement their beagles’ diets and provide extra vitamins and minerals. Cheese is also often used as a tool for training or concealing pills. If you want to try feeding your beagle cheese, make sure to first talk to your veterinarian and consider the following information:
Protein: Cheese is an excellent source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue
Essential fatty acids: Dairy products like cheese are high in essential fatty acids, which help keep your beagle’s skin healthy and coat shiny
Calcium: Cheese contains high levels of calcium, which helps build strong bones and teeth
Vitamins: Cheese is a good source of vitamins A, B2 (riboflavin) and B12 (cobalamin), all of which are important for your beagle’s health
Training tools: Many owners use cheese as a tool for training small beagles or puppies—a great way to ensure that your pup will obey commands
Concealing pills: Cheese can be used as a treat for getting your beagle to swallow pills.
Do all beagles like cheese?
Unfortunately, no. It’s common for beagles to have food preferences. Some beagles may not like the taste or texture of cheese. Others may be allergic or sensitive to cheese. And of course, some beagles may not like any human food, cheese included.
If your beagle doesn’t like cheese, don’t force your beagle to eat it. Instead, try other beagle friendly treats like carrots or peanut butter. Consult with your vet before introducing a new food to your beagle’s diet.
Can my beagles have cheese every day?
Cheese is a great treat for beagles, in moderation.
However, we don’t recommend letting your beagle eat cheese every day.
Variety is the spice of life, and this is especially true for beagles! If you let your beagle have too much cheese, he or she may become bored with it and not enjoy it as much.
Also, different treats contain different nutrients. For example, cheese is high in fat and low in fiber, so it’s great for a small treat but not good for everyday consumption. If you want to give your beagle a nice treat every day, consider using yogurt in moderation to provide protein and calcium.
Can beagle puppies eat cheese?
Yes, you can give your puppy cheese. In fact, it’s a good idea—puppies like cheese, so it makes for a great training tool.
But wait until they’re at least two months old before introducing cheese into their diet. Before then, they should be on specialized puppy food that has all the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.
When you do start giving them cheese, start with just a small bite. Puppies have a delicate digestive system, so you want to make sure their tummies are ready for new foods. If your puppy is lactose intolerant or has some other problem with cheese, symptoms will show up quickly after eating it—so watch out for diarrhea or vomiting. If that happens, stop feeding your puppy cheese.
If you’re unsure whether your beagle will digest cheese well, consult with your vet before introducing any new food into his diet.
How much cheese can beagles eat?
Cheese is a great source of protein for beagles, and most beagles love the taste. But how much cheese should you be giving your beagle as a treat? It’s important to remember that cheese is high in fat and salt. It should only be given in moderation, so you shouldn’t replace healthy treats with cheese.
The amount of cheese your beagle can eat depends on its age, size, and lactose intolerance level. Consult with your vet first for best serving size. Start out with a small piece and see how your beagle reacts. If there are no negative reactions, you can offer more.
Always follow the 90/10 rule: 90% of what your beagle eats should be healthy meals with little to no processed food, like cheese.
What kind of cheese can beagles eat?
1. Mozzarella is a good choice for beagles that are lactose-intolerant. It’s also low in fat and high in calcium, which can help with bone health.
2. Cottage cheese is also low in fat and high in calcium. It is soft enough to crush as needed, so it could be a good choice for beagles with teeth issues.
3. Swiss cheese is low in lactose and high in protein, which makes it a safe option for many beagles.
4. Cheddar has a strong flavor, so it may not be the best choice for some beagles, but it is lower in salt than other cheeses and has no lactose at all!
5. String cheese can be a good choice for some beagles because it’s low in both lactose and salt. However, its stringiness could cause trouble swallowing, so break it down before serving it to your beagle.
What types of cheese are bad for beagles?
Blue Cheese: Contains the fungus Penicillium roqueforti, which produces a substance called Roquefortine C. This substance can be toxic to beagles in high doses.
Goat Cheese: Contains more lactose than cow’s milk, so it is discouraged unless it is part of a well-balanced diet.
Cheesecake: Very high fat content, which increases the risk for pancreatitis in your beagle.
Cream Cheese: Also very high in fat, which can lead to obesity over the long term.
Parmesan Cheese: High in sodium and fat, so best avoided if you have a beagle with heart problems or high blood pressure.
How to serve cheese to your beagles?
Just like humans, beagles also love cheese so much. There are many ways to serve it to your beagle. You can serve it as it is in small pieces, as a food topper for beagles, or mix with rice.
To serve as it is, give your beagle small pieces of cheese and make sure he eats it slowly to avoid choking. For a food topper for beagles, you can chop up cheese into tiny pieces and put it on top of his food. If your beagle has a hard time chewing his food, you can mix the chopped cheese with some sauce and pour over his harder foods. You can also mix equal parts cooked white rice and cottage cheese if your beagle has an upset stomach.
What are the risks of feeding cheese to your beagle?
Feeding your beagle cheese is a risky proposition.
It’s important to keep in mind that many cheeses contain high levels of fat, which can lead to pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a life-threatening disease that can require hospitalization.
Some cheese may contain high lactose that can cause diarrhea.
Cheese also may contain toxic additives like garlic and onion, which are toxic to beagles.
Other human foods Beagles can eat
What other human foods can beagles eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your beagles can eat.
So, can beagles eat cheese?
Yes, beagles can eat cheese.
It is a very rich food and should be fed to them in moderation, particularly if they are overweight.
Cheese is rich in calcium and protein, making it an excellent treat for beagles.
However, be sure to choose the safer cheese from the list above.
You should also only feed your beagle cheese as a treat and not as a substitute for their normal diet.
The 90/10 rule is recommended: 90% of their diet should be their normal healthy food and treats should only make up 10% of it.