Can Dogs Eat Cheese?

NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any new foods, especially people food. What might be OK for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on veterinary diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet unless your veterinarian tells you it’s fine to do so. 

Dogs love to be part of a party with their family of humans—especially when cheese is being served as a snack. But can dogs eat cheese? And if so, how much is considered too much? 

Dogs can eat cheese in moderation. Here’s what to know about safely serving cheese to dogs.  

Can Dogs Have Cheese?

Yes, dogs can have cheese and they generally tolerate many varieties.  

However, most dogs are lactose-intolerant, so they may have a negative reaction to too much cheese. Processed cheese products, like American cheese, are also not an ideal part of a dog’s balanced diet but can be safe to serve in small amounts.   

Here’s a breakdown of types of cheese and if they’re safe for dogs: 

It’s a better option to give dogs food that is made for them, and there are plenty of cheese-flavored dog treats, like: 

Is Cheese Good for Dogs?

Cheese can be a good source of protein for dogs, but because dogs can be lactose-intolerant, dairy products are not the best snack for them.  

Is Cheese Bad for Dogs?

Dogs can handle small amounts of cheese before having possible reactions to it, such as diarrhea or other digestive disturbances. Too much of a good thing—even their favorite thing—may give them tummy problems. 

The calories in cheese can also have a negative effect on your dog’s balanced diet and cause them to gain weight.  

How Much Cheese Can Dogs Eat?

It’s recommended to give your dog cheese only as an occasional treat. Keeping the treats as a small bonus while maintaining a balanced diet for your dog is the safest and healthiest way to give your dog cheese.   

Remember the 10% rule: Ninety percent of your dog’s diet should come from dry or canned food that has been specially formulated for your dog’s age and health. The other 10% can come from treats used in training, extra snacks, dental treats, food additives, and human foods. 

The chart below outlines how much and how often you can feed your healthy-weight dog cheese.   

Discuss with your veterinarian how much cheese your dog should have and how often.  

For example, some dogs may be able to tolerate lower-sodium, lower-fat, lower-lactose cheeses more often, such as to use as pill pockets for daily medications. However, other dogs may be more sensitive to lactose or have medical conditions, like pancreatitis, that require them to be restricted to once a week, once a month, or even just a few times per year.  

How To Safely Feed Cheese to Dogs

Here are some tips for prepping and serving cheese to dogs: 

• Start slow. If you’re introducing cheese to your dog for the first time, start with small amounts and watch your dog for adverse reactions, including vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and gas. If even small amounts give your dog the runs, cheese may not be the best snack for them. 

• Serve small pieces. Cut cheese into small cubes or shred it.  

• Serve as an occasional treat. Remember the 10% rule. 

• Use it to hide pills or medication. If your dog has a hard time taking pills—or spits them out—you can hide a pill in a small amount of cheese. You can also use cheese-flavored pill pockets, like Greenies Pill Pockets, or a pill paste like Pet MD Wrap-A-Pill Pill Paste. 

However, the safest way to feed your dog cheese is to give them cheese-flavored dog treats that are made just for them, like Pupford Cheddar Crunchies or Cloud Star Tricky Trainers with Cheddar.