Have you ever wondered if your golden retriever can eat cheese?
You’ve probably seen cheese on sale at the grocery store, and you’ve probably eaten some yourself. After all, it’s a popular food among humans.
But have you ever thought about what cheese is made of? It’s made from milk, and for that reason, many owners wonder whether their dogs should consume it.
If you’re one of those owners who wants to know whether your dog can eat cheese, this article is for you! We’ll tell you everything you need to know about feeding your pet this delicious dairy product.
Is it safe for golden retrievers to have cheese?
Your golden retriever has always been a good boy, and you love him very much. He’s kept your spirits up through breakups, moves, and the death of your childhood pet fish. And now you want to return the favor by giving him a little treat. But is it safe for golden retrievers to have cheese?
In moderation, yes.
Cheese is high in fat and low in nutrition for both humans and dogs. However, it can be an occasional treat for your pup (and a great way to hide their medicine). In fact, many dog food brands include cheese and other dairy products in their recipes.
If your dog has never had cheese before, start small. One or two bites should be fine. If there are no negative reactions—such as vomiting or diarrhea—it’s probably okay to give them more next time.
Benefits of cheese in golden retrievers
Cheese can be a great treat for your golden retriever.
Besides being delicious, cheese contains protein, calcium, vitamin A, essential fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins.
You can not only use cheese as a standalone treat for good behavior (or just because you love your pooch), but it can also be a training tool.
Many dogs will do anything for a little of cheese—you can use this to your advantage by rewarding your dog with cheese when he does something you want him to do, like come when you call him or sit when you tell him to. This way, he’ll understand that doing the things you ask will get him some delicious cheese.
Also, cheese is a good way to conceal pills for golden retrievers that require medication. It’s hard enough getting people to take their medicine; getting dogs to take their medicine is even harder.
Luckily, many dogs love cheese so much that they’ll eat it without realizing there’s medicine inside! Just wrap your dog’s medicine in a bit of cheese, and watch as he gobbles it right up without ever realizing he’s taking his medicine.
What are the risks of feeding cheese to your golden retrievers?
Cheese is a popular treat for many dogs- it’s delicious, and dogs love the smell, taste and texture. Cheese is also a popular ingredient in dog snacks and treats. However, it’s important to know that cheese can present some risks to your pet.
High fat content: Many cheeses are high in fat. While a small amount of cheese won’t likely cause problems, feeding your dog cheese regularly, especially as a large percentage of their diet, can lead to obesity and related health issues such as pancreatitis.
Lactose intolerance: Some dogs are lactose intolerant. If you feed your dog cheese and he has an upset stomach or diarrhea after eating it, he may be lactose intolerant and should avoid eating cheese.
Toxic herbs: Some cheeses may contain toxic herbs like onion or garlic. You should check the ingredients list before feeding any treats containing cheese to your dog to make sure they don’t contain these herbs.
How much cheese is OK for golden retrievers?
The answer to the question “how much cheese is OK for golden retrievers?” depends on a lot of things.
First, it depends on your dog’s lactose tolerance. Some dogs are fine with eating cheese, while others might get an upset stomach. If your dog doesn’t tolerate cheese well, then no amount of cheese is okay for them.
Second, it depends on your dog’s size. You should give a smaller dog less cheese than larger dogs. A small bite of cheese can go a long way for a small dog.
As a general rule, you can give your golden retriever only a few small bites of hard cheese each day (like cheddar or swiss).
It’s best to consult with your vet first for best serving size.
Always follow the rule below: Your golden retrievers need a complete balanced diet. All treats combinedly should not be over 10% of the total diet.
What kind of cheese can golden retrievers eat?
We know golden retrievers for two things: they’re great at retrieving gold, and they’re great at retrieving cheese.
But what kind of cheese can golden retrievers eat? And is there any cheese they should avoid?
Mozzarella and cottage cheese are lower in fat than many other cheeses, making them safe to give your golden retriever.
The same goes for cheddar cheese, which has a relatively low level of salts.
Swiss cheese is also safe for golden retrievers to eat, as it is low in lactose.
However, some dogs are allergic to cow’s milk, so if you see them having an allergic reaction after eating Swiss cheese (or any other cheese), stop giving it to them immediately.
Can golden retrievers’ puppies eat cheese?
We don’t recommend feeding cheese to golden retrievers puppies unless your vet approves it for certain reasons.
Puppies have a delicate digestive system and should be on a specialized puppy diet during the first few months of life. This specialized diet is designed to meet their nutritional needs and help them grow strong and healthy. It also helps prevent digestive problems, so adding in foods like cheese, which can cause diarrhea in puppies, should only be done with your vet’s approval.
If your vet has given you the green light to add some cheese to your puppy’s diet, stick to plain white cheeses like American or Swiss that are lower in fat than cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella, which may be harder for the puppy to digest.
If you want to treat your puppy but don’t want to give them cheese, consider giving them fresh or frozen vegetables instead.
How to feed cheese to golden retrievers?
Is your golden retriever begging for a taste of your cheese plate? No need to refuse! Cheese is safe for golden retrievers, but there are a few caveats.
First, choose a low-fat cheese: Cottage cheese and mozzarella both fit the bill. Avoid spicy cheeses like Pepper Jack or Siracha Cheddar—the spices could upset your golden retriever’s stomach.
Second, start small: Give your golden retriever just a small amount and see how it reacts. If you notice an upset stomach or diarrhea, save the rest of the cheese for later and try again in a day or two.
Third, mix it with your golden retriever’s regular food: A sprinkle of cheese makes a nice food topper for golden retrievers—or you can use it to hide medication or supplements that might otherwise be refused.
Do all golden retrievers like cheese?
Unfortunately, no, your golden retrievers may not like cheese. While all golden retrievers are wonderful and noble creatures, they are also individuals and will have different preferences regarding food.
Golden retrievers have food preferences and cheese may not be on your golden retriever’s “like” list.
Therefore, if you want to introduce a new food to your golden retriever’s diet (and especially if your dog has certain health issues), always speak with your veterinarian before introducing a new food to your golden retriever’s food list.
Can my golden retrievers have cheese every day?
Yes, you can feed your golden retrievers cheese every day if they like it. There is no rule on how often golden retrievers can have cheese.
But you should vary the treats because your golden retrievers can get bored with cheese. Also, different treats contain different ingredients, which means they provide different nutrients.
For instance, a single slice of mozzarella contains approximately 78 calories and 22.4 grams of fat. And a cup of shredded cheddar has 456 calories and 37.4 grams of fat. That’s why we recommend you to give your golden retrievers cheese in small quantities and only occasionally.
Cheese is a great treat for your golden retrievers because it is rich in calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and zinc. These nutrients are necessary for good health and strong bones. However, cheese also contains saturated fats, sodium and cholesterol which can cause weight gain if eaten in large quantities.
Can golden retrievers eat blue cheese?
Blue cheese contains many components that are hazardous to your dog. It is important to know what foods your dog can and cannot eat and avoid giving them any human food.
Blue cheese contains many components that are hazardous to dogs such as:
Stilton fungus (Penicillium roqueforti) – Can produce a substance called roquefortine C which is toxic to dogs and cause severe neurological damage in humans. Roquefortine C can also cause vomiting, diarrhea and even death if ingested by humans or animals. Stilton fungus can cause allergic reactions such as asthma attacks or hives when touched or breathed in (inhalation).
Molds – These molds produce toxins known as mycotoxins which are harmful to both humans and animals alike. Molds produce various types of toxins including: trichothecenes, ergot alkaloids, aflatoxins, erythrosin B glycosides etc. Molds also contain protein allergens called allergens found in dust mites’ feces. These proteins induce an immune response known as hypersensitivity.
Can golden retrievers eat blue cheesecake?
It has recently come to light that the blue cheesecake, a dessert created in the 1950s and widely popularized by the 1980s, is potentially harmful to golden retrievers.
Why it’s a bad idea:
The blue cheesecake’s high fat content puts golden retrievers at risk for developing pancreatitis, an extremely painful condition that occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed. Symptoms of pancreatitis include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and fever.
Pancreatitis can be fatal if not treated quickly; therefore, it is important that dog owners keep their dog’s diet as healthy as possible.
A healthy diet limits or eliminates treats like blue cheesecake and focuses on lean meats and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Can golden retrievers eat cheese sticks?
Golden retrievers can eat cheese sticks, but you should give them low-fat cheese sticks. The cheese sticks can also be broken up and given as a small treat instead of eaten whole.
Cheese is high in fat and calories and is not a necessary part of your golden retriever’s diet. Cheese sticks are also very salty, which is bad for dogs’ kidneys. Cheese sticks can cause your golden retriever to gain weight or develop pancreatitis if given frequently or in large quantities.
If you want to give your dog cheese, use it as an occasional treat instead of a daily snack.
Can golden retrievers eat cream cheese?
It might seem like a good idea to feed your golden retriever some cream cheese, but it can actually be bad for them.
Cream cheese is high in fat, and that can lead to your dog becoming overweight or obese.
Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy and safer options for your dog to snack on.
Can golden retrievers eat cheese puffs?
The short answer is no. Cheese puffs contain a lot of fat and sodium, neither of which are good for your golden retriever. In fact, they can be downright dangerous.
Fat causes pancreatitis in dogs, and sodium can cause a condition called sodium ion poisoning. Both conditions have symptoms that include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and lack of appetite. If left untreated, they can lead to death.
It’s best to avoid feeding your dog cheese puffs altogether. But if you catch them eating some off the floor or out of the trash, don’t panic—just monitor them for any signs of distress. If you notice something wrong and aren’t sure what it is, take them to the vet immediately.
What happens when your golden retrievers eat too much cheese?
It depends on the dog and the cheese. A dog that eats too much cheese can expect to experience:
Discomfort: The biggest issue is that dogs don’t have the enzymes in their digestive systems to break down lactose, which means they’re likely to experience bloating and gas.
Upset stomach: This includes vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration if it goes on for too long.
Weight gain: Cheese has a lot of fat, so if your retriever is only eating this food item, he could get fat.
What to do if your golden retrievers eat too much cheese?
First, get any remains of cheese away from your golden retrievers.
Then, don’t panic. Your actions will determine how your golden retrievers react. If you keep calm, it will help them be in the same mood and encourage them to think clearly.
If your golden retrievers are showing any abnormal sign such as vomiting or diarrhea, contact your vet immediately.
Find out if your golden retrievers can eat other treats
- Can golden retrievers eat bananas
- Can golden retrievers eat strawberries
- Can golden retrievers eat apples
- Can golden retrievers eat pineapple
- Can golden retrievers eat raw meat
- Can golden retrievers eat blueberries
- Can golden retrievers eat watermelon
- Can golden retrievers eat grapes
- Can golden retrievers eat carrots
- Can golden retrievers eat oranges
- Can golden retrievers eat chicken
- Can golden retrievers eat avocado
- Can golden retrievers eat eggs
So, can golden retrievers eat cheese?
The short answer is yes, golden retrievers can definitely eat cheese. Cheese is rich in protein and calcium, so it can be a good treat for your pal. However, you should never let him eat too much at once.
Your golden retriever will love the rich flavor of cheese. But while the occasional slice of cheddar is okay, refrain from giving him too much cheese. Why? Well, cheese is high in fat and salt content. One ounce contains about 100 calories—that’s about seven times as many calories as a dog biscuit!
Besides being high calorie, cheese may also cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems in your pup. If he has any of these symptoms after eating cheese, stop feeding it to him immediately.