Cheese is one of the most popular and universally loved foods. It’s an ancient food, dating back to the Neolithic period, and today there are over 1,000 types of cheeses from different locations around the world. Cheese is nutrient dense and relatively inexpensive, which makes it a popular food for people with all kinds of dietary restrictions and who have different budgets.
Since so many of us love cheese and eat it regularly, it’s only natural that we want to share it with our Maltese. But can you feed cheese to your Maltese? The short answer is “yes,” but there are lots of caveats that you should keep in mind before giving your Maltese cheese. In this post, we’ll answer every question you could have about feeding cheese to your Maltese—is it safe? What kind should I give them? And how much is okay? Let’s start with the most important question:
Is cheese safe for Maltese?
So, is cheese safe for Maltese? The short answer is yes. Cheese can be safe for Maltese as long as it’s eaten in moderation, and they have added no harmful ingredients to it.
The best way to introduce cheese into your Maltese’s diet is slowly—give him just one or two small pieces at first and watch for any abnormal signs. It’s rare, but some Maltese can show a food intolerance or allergic reaction to a new food. If you observe any abnormal symptoms—like vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy—it’s best to bring your pup to the vet.
If your Maltese has done well with cheese in the past, you can up the frequency and amount of cheese you give him as a treat or reward. You should still only give him small amounts of cheese (only 10% of his daily caloric intake).
Benefits of feeding cheese in Maltese
The Benefits of Feeding Your Maltese Cheese
Cheese is a great addition to your Maltese’s diet. Here’s why:
Protein: Cheese is rich in protein, which your Maltese needs to maintain healthy muscles and bones.
Essential fatty acids: Cheese contains essential fatty acids that help your Maltese maintain a healthy heart, brain, and coat.
Calcium: Cheese is high in calcium, which helps keep your Maltese’s bones and teeth strong.
Vitamins: Cheese is high in vitamins A and B, which are essential for growth, energy production, and long-term health.
Training tools: Because Maltese love cheese so much, it can be a great training tool. Not only can you give it to them as a treat or reward while working with them on commands or tricks, but you can also use it to get them interested in things like new toys or new places. For example, if you’re trying to get your Maltese used to the crate, put some cheese inside the crate and give it to them after they go in there on their own.
Concealing pills: Because Maltese love cheese so much, it can be a great way to conceal pills that need to be administered.
Do all Maltese like cheese?
Unfortunately, no. While many Maltese do like cheese as a treat, others don’t like it at all.
If your Maltese doesn’t seem to like cheese, there are a couple of things you can try:
First, make sure that your cheese isn’t too smelly or sharp. Maltese have different food preferences—just like people—and sometimes even the most delicious cheese can be a little too pungent for certain Maltese. If the smell is especially strong, you might not give your Maltese the cheese at all, as some Maltese will reject food based on its smell alone.
Second, if you do offer your Maltese some cheese and he or she doesn’t take it, don’t force it. Instead of trying to get your Maltese to eat the cheese by hand-feeding it or putting it in his or her mouth yourself, try feeding your Maltese other Maltese-friendly treats instead.
Finally, if none of these steps seem to work, talk to your vet about introducing new foods into your Maltese’s diet and if they have any other recommendations for getting him or her to accept new foods.
Can my Maltese have cheese every day?
No, we don’t recommend it because cheese contains high amounts of fat and lactose, which can cause your Maltese to develop stomach issues, like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. We would suggest varying the treats you give your Maltese so they don’t get bored with the same thing every day.
Also, different treats contain different nutrients that are important for your Maltese’s health (for example, calcium is good for their bones), so we think it’s important to make sure you’re switching out the treats you give them regularly.
Can Maltese puppies eat cheese?
Yes, Maltese puppies can eat cheese! In fact, it’s a great training tool.
But don’t give your puppy cheese until they are at least two months old, and while they are under two months old, they should only eat a specialized puppy food designed by their vet.
Once they hit that two-month mark, you can give them a little cheese as a treat! But be careful, puppies have delicate digestive systems—be sure to consult with your vet before introducing any new food to your puppy’s diet.
How much cheese can Maltese eat?
The amount of cheese that a Maltese can eat depends on the age, size, and lactose tolerance level of the Maltese. You should consult with your vet to determine the best serving size for your pup.
It’s also important to remember that treats are only intended to be 10% of your Maltese’s diet. If you give your Maltese cheese as a treat, make sure you don’t exceed this amount.
Portion control is also a factor in how much cheese you should give your Maltese. Start out with a small piece and if there are no negative reactions, you can offer more.
If your Maltese has an upset stomach or diarrhea after eating cheese, maybe they have trouble digesting dairy. We know this as lactose intolerance and it is common in Maltese. In this case, stop feeding them cheese to avoid any other digestive issues.
What kind of cheese can Maltese eat?
You love your Maltese, and you want to show it. And what better way to express your affection than with cheese?
Before you think of that soft, creamy brie in your fridge, though, let’s think twice. Maltese are lactose-intolerant, so milk products are not a great choice for them. This isn’t true for all Maltese, but before you dive into the cream cheese, please consult with a veterinarian—especially if you’re worried about any health issues your Maltese may have.
The good news is that there are some cheeses that are perfectly safe to feed a Maltese! Here are five:
Mozzarella cheese is low in fat and sodium and has a pretty high level of protein. If you give it to your Maltese in small amounts occasionally, it can be a great treat!
Cottage cheese is also low in fat and sodium, so it’s another good choice to give your pooch every once in a while.
Swiss cheese also has low levels of lactose and sodium—and it’s easy for Maltese to chew and swallow!
Cheddar cheese is an excellent source of protein for Maltese (as well as calcium and vitamins A and B). It’s also low in salt content.
What types of cheese are bad for Maltese?
Blue cheese contains Stilton fungus, which produces a substance called Roquefortine C that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and seizures.
Goat cheese, while it’s not toxic like blue cheese, contains more lactose than cow’s milk, which makes it more difficult for Maltese to digest.
Cheesecake is high in fat content which can lead to pancreatitis.
Cream cheese is also high in fats that can lead to obesity in Maltese.
Parmesan cheese is high in sodium and can cause an upset stomach and even sodium ion poisoning in small Maltese.
Cheese puffs are full of fat and sodium that are dangerous for Maltese.
How to serve cheese to your Maltese?
Cheese, when served in small pieces, is a good snack for Maltese. You can mix it with your Maltese’s regular food to add flavor and nutrition. A sprinkle of cheese makes a nice food topper for Maltese. You can also pour cheese sauce over harder Maltese foods (like kibble) to make them tastier.
A good option for older Maltese with sensitive stomachs is mixing equal parts of cooked white rice and cottage cheese. This can relieve your Maltese’s sensitive stomach.
What are the risks of feeding cheese to your Maltese?
Cheese can be a great snack for people, but it’s not always a healthy choice for Maltese.
For one thing, cheese tends to have a high fat content. This can lead to stomach problems in Maltese—especially if they’re not used to eating dairy products.
In addition, some cheeses contain a lot of lactose, which may cause diarrhea and other digestive issues in Maltese that are lactose intolerant.
And finally, even if your Maltese is fine with the fat and lactose content of a particular type of cheese, there may be other dangerous ingredients in the cheese. Some types of cheese contain herbs or spices, like garlic or onion, that are toxic to Maltese.
Other human foods Maltese can eat
What other human foods can Maltese eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Maltese can eat.
So, can the Maltese eat cheese?
Yes, Maltese can eat cheese. In fact, cheese is a great treat for pups. As long as your Maltese isn’t lactose intolerant or has other food allergies, you should be good to go with small servings of safe cheeses.
You just want to avoid giving your pup processed cheese, which often contains preservatives and other ingredients that make it more difficult for a Maltese to digest.
Cheese is rich in vitamins, protein, and fatty acids, making it an excellent treat for Maltese. Just don’t overfeed—if you follow the 90/10 rule of only giving treats in moderation (10 percent of their diet), you should be fine.