Cheese is a popular food for humans all over the world, and it’s easy to understand why: It’s packed with protein and other nutrients, and it’s a great low-cost option for adding flavor to meals.
That’s why many Bichon Frise owners wonder if cheese is safe for Bichon Frises to eat. And the short answer is: Yes, you can feed cheese to your Bichon Frises! But before doing that, there are lots of things you need to know about cheese. This article will answer every question you have about feeding your Bichon Frise cheese—starting with whether it’s safe.
Is cheese safe for Bichon Frises?
Cheese is safe for Bichon Frises to eat in moderation, and it can be a great source of protein and fat. However, you should always check the label to make sure there aren’t any harmful ingredients like xylitol or raisins added, as these can be toxic to Bichon Frises.
You should introduce cheese slowly to your Bichon Frise’s diet, serving it in small pieces at first. If you are feeding your Bichon Frise cheese for the first time, watch for any abnormal signs that may show a food intolerance or allergic reaction. If you observe any abnormal symptoms after feeding your Bichon Frise cheese, contact your vet immediately.
Benefits of feeding cheese in Bichon Frises
Protein: Cheese is an excellent source of protein, which is essential for the maintenance of healthy body tissues.
Essential fatty acids: Cheese contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are important components of a Bichon Frise’s diet. They can help support the immune system, skin and coat health, as well as joint function in Bichon Frises.
Calcium: Cheese is a rich source of calcium, which helps build bone strength in Bichon Frises. It also aids in blood clotting and muscle contraction.
Vitamins: Cheese contains a variety of vitamins that are beneficial to a Bichon Frise’s health. They include vitamins A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B12, D and K2. Vitamin A benefits your Bichon Frise’s vision, skin and coat; vitamin D aids in bone health; vitamin K2 helps with blood clotting; vitamin B1 (thiamine) supports your Bichon Frise’s nervous system; and vitamin B12 helps form red blood cells.
Training tools: Because Bichon Frises love cheese so much, you can use it as a training tool when introducing new commands or teaching your Bichon Frise new tricks.
Concealing pills: If your Bichon Frise needs to take a pill, but they don’t want to swallow it, try hiding the pill in a piece of cheese! The cheese will mask the smell and taste of the pill, making it more palatable for your Bichon Frise.
Do all Bichon Frises like cheese?
Unfortunately, not all Bichon Frises like cheese. But that’s okay! Just because your Bichon Frise doesn’t love cheddar doesn’t mean you can’t reward them with a tasty treat.
In fact, some Bichon Frises will experience digestive issues when fed dairy products. If you notice that your Bichon Frise experiences bloating, upset stomach, or diarrhea after eating cheese, it’s best to avoid it.
Instead, try other Bichon Frise-friendly treats like beef sticks or liver meatballs. You can also find many grain-free treats that are made with ingredients like sweet potatoes and chicken.
If you have any concerns about feeding your Bichon Frise cheese or other dairy products, always consult with your veterinarian before introducing a new food to their diet.
Can my Bichon Frises have cheese every day?
We recommend varying the treats you give your Bichon Frise, so that both of you are excited about it and not bored with the same thing all the time. Additionally, different treats can have different nutritional benefits for your Bichon Frise, and you want to make sure you’re giving them the variety they need to stay healthy.
Can Bichon Frise puppies eat cheese?
Yes, puppies can eat cheese, but you’ll want to be careful about when and how you introduce it. Puppies have a delicate digestive system, so wait until your pup is two months old before introducing cheese as a treat. During the first two months of your puppy’s life, he’s on a specialized puppy diet that doesn’t involve any food outside of his kibble, so his stomach will need time to adjust.
When you do decide to give your puppy a bite of cheese, make it just that—one bite. Cheese can make a great training tool for your puppy because it’s so rich and enticing, but portion control is key. If you’re not careful with the size of the treat you’re giving your pup, you might deal with an upset stomach or diarrhea. To be extra safe, consult with your vet before introducing any new food into your Bichon Frise’s diet.
How much cheese can Bichon Frises eat?
The amount of cheese your Bichon Frise can safely eat depends on a few things: the age, size, and lactose tolerance level of your Bichon Frise. But one thing is universally true: you should always ask your vet before feeding any food that is not specifically formulated for Bichon Frises.
If your Bichon Frise can tolerate hard cheeses, portion control is important. Start out with a small piece and if there are no negative reactions, you can offer more.
Hard cheeses have a low lactose content—a type of sugar that many Bichon Frises have trouble tolerating—and usually get the green light from vets. However, some Bichon Frises still have sensitivities to dairy products, so you should always consult with your vet prior to giving your Bichon Frise cheese and be careful about how much you feed them.
We often recommend Cheddar cheese as a safe option for Bichon Frises because it contains less than 1% lactose (depending on the brand). You should also keep in mind that all cheeses come with an associated fat content—some brands of cheddar cheese can be quite high in fat, making this an unsuitable treat for overweight pups or those with sensitive stomachs.
What kind of cheese can Bichon Frises eat?
1. Mozzarella: low in fat, but high in cheese, good for Bichon Frises who need a quick snack.
2. Cottage cheese: also low in fat and high in cheese, good for Bichon Frises who need to take their time eating.
3. Swiss cheese: low in lactose, good for Bichon Frises with lactose intolerance.
4. Cheddar: low level of salts, but salted enough to keep your Bichon Frise coming back for more (and more and more)
5. String cheese: low levels of lactose and salt, so it’s great for the stomachs of most Bichon Frises; make sure you break it down into pieces if your Bichon Frise has trouble swallowing.
What types of cheese are bad for Bichon Frises?
Blue cheese: Contains Stilton fungus, which produces a substance called Roquefortine C. This substance can cause vomiting and diarrhea in Bichon Frises.
Goat cheese: contains more lactose than cow’s milk, therefore it should be avoided.
Cheesecake: Very high fat content, so it poses a risk for pancreatitis.
Cream cheese: High in fats that could lead to obesity if consumed regularly.
Parmesan cheese: high in sodium, so it should be avoided.
Cheese puffs: A lot of fat and sodium, so they are not recommended
How to serve cheese to your Bichon Frises?
Cheese is a fantastic treat for many Bichon Frises, and you can use it in several ways to make sure your Bichon Frise is getting the most out of its nutritional benefits. If you’re serving your Bichon Frise cheese as a snack, try cutting it into small bite-sized pieces that your Bichon Frise will eat comfortably. You can also mix your Bichon Frise’s favorite cheese with its regular food, which can help make its meals tastier while providing it with extra nutrients.
Another way to serve cheese to your Bichon Frise is by using it as a food topper. Sprinkling bits of your Bichon Frise’s favorite kind of cheese over its regular food is a great way to stimulate its appetite, and it will help you make sure that your Bichon Frise eats every meal thoroughly. To make things even easier, try pouring some of your Bichon Frise’s cheese over harder foods like kibble or canned foods.
If you have trouble feeding cheese directly to your Bichon Frise, try mixing equal parts cooked white rice with cottage cheese before serving. This combination will give your pup something flavorful yet easy on its stomach, which can help relieve any discomfort associated with eating too much cheese at once.
What are the risks of feeding cheese to your Bichon Frise?
There are some risks to feeding cheese to your Bichon Frise.
First, cheese is high in fat, which can lead to weight gain and pancreatitis.
Second, Bichon Frises don’t produce enough lactase, the enzyme needed to break down milk sugars like lactose. This means that if your Bichon Frise consumes too much lactose from cheese, he or she may experience diarrhea and flatulence.
Finally, some cheeses contain toxic additives like garlic, onion and salt which are harmful for Bichon Frises.
Other human foods Bichon Frises can eat
What other human foods can Bichon Frises eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Bichon Frises can eat.
So, can Bichon Frises eat cheese?
Yes, Bichon Frises can eat cheese. Cheese is rich in fat, calcium, and protein, making it an excellent treat for Bichon Frises. However, you should be careful about how much cheese you feed your Bichon Frise. Cheese is also very high in fat, and feeding too much to your Bichon Frise regularly can cause weight gain and lead to obesity.
You should only feed your Bichon Frise cheese as an occasional treat. A good rule of thumb is the 90/10 rule: your Bichon Frise’s regular Bichon Frise food should make up 90% of its diet, while treats like cheese should only ever account for 10% or less.
If your Bichon Frise is lactose intolerant, you should not feed it cheese at all. Some Bichon Frises are perfectly fine eating any kind of cheese, but others will get an upset stomach or diarrhea if they eat too much.