Can Dogs Eat Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese is a great breakfast accompaniment or snack that is tasty, flavorful, and full of healthy fats. But can you share its goodness with your dog? Will cottage cheese-like other cheeses cause gastrointestinal upset or constipate your dog? Can you feed your dog cottage cheese regularly?
Yes, generally, cottage cheese is safe for dogs and is even recommended as a soothing remedy for a dog with tummy upset. However, this is not the case for all dogs, and maybe yours too. Keep reading to find out if cottage cheese is a good food choice for your dog.
Is Cottage Cheese Safe for Your Dog?
Unlike other types of cheese, cottage cheese is safe for your furry friend as an occasional treat. It is easy to digest and, when combined with boiled white rice, is helpful for dogs with tummy upset. Cottage cheese is also lower in sodium and fat than other cheeses, thus helping reduce the risk of weight gain, obesity, and high blood pressure.
Additionally, it contains significantly lower lactose than other cheeses, so even if your pup is lactose-intolerant, they are less likely to experience severe digestive issues.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Cheese?
Is Cottage Cheese Good For Dogs?
Cottage cheese-like yogurt is a probiotic and supports the growth of good bacteria in the gut. Canines with digestive issues find it difficult to digest canned or kibble food regularly. If your canine companion struggles with digestive issues like diarrhea, you can offer him cottage cheese to soothe their tummy. It is bland, low calorie, and easy to digest.
Moreover, the cheese contains various nutrients, including vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus, B-complex vitamins, and essential fatty acids. They support metabolic functions, boost the immune system, enhance heart health, and strengthen your pup’s teeth and bones.
Cottage cheese is also high in selenium which is an antioxidant that prevents oxidative damage of cells. You’ll find some brands with live prebiotics which support optimal gut health.
Cottage Cheese and Lactose intolerance
Although cottage cheese is an excellent addition to Fido’s diet, there are a few things to keep in mind. Cottage cheese contains lactose in minimal quantities compared to other dairy products. Lactose is the sugar component in dairy products, but most dogs lack the lactase enzyme to digest it.
So, if your lactose intolerant canine feeds on dairy products, they can experience gastrointestinal distress, diarrhea, bloating, and vomiting.
The fermentation process in cottage cheese production breaks down lactose and reduces its quantity making it ideal for lactose-intolerant dogs. Regardless, offer your dog cottage cheese in small amounts and monitor how their system handles it before you can increase the dose.
Can Cottage Cheese Make My Dog Sick?
Cottage cheese is high in sodium compared to other foods and can lead to salt toxicity. Although sodium is essential for your pup’s metabolic processes, high amounts can cause blood pressure and organ damage.
The cheese is also high in fat which translates to high calories. Too much consumption of cottage cheese increases your dog’s risk of becoming obese, which is a precursor to other health problems such as diabetes, pancreatitis, and osteoarthritis. A low-fat version will keep your dog trim and healthy in the long run.
What Kind of Cottage Cheese Can I Feed My Dog?
Several types of cottage cheese are available with varying fat content, so you must choose the right one for your canine companion. We recommend you opt for 1% low-fat cottage cheese to ensure your dog gets all the nutritional goodness of cottage cheese without too much fat.
Also, consider buying low salt or salt-free cottage cheese, especially if your pup is on a special diet or has heart disease. Finally, pick a brand of cottage cheese with live and active bacteria culture for your dog’s gut health.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Mac And Cheese? Here’s All You Need To Know
Can Cottage Cheese Soothe My Dog’s Upset Stomach?
Yes, cottage cheese can be part of your dog’s temporary bland diet to soothe stomach upset and treat acute diarrhea. You can offer cottage cheese with other bland foods like low-fat meat, white rice, oatmeal, or boiled potatoes to soothe their digestive system.
Will Cottage Cheese Constipate My Dog?
Any sudden changes to your pup’s diet can cause gas or constipation. Your dog may experience diarrhea or gassiness for longer than a few days.
Cottage cheese is unlikely to constipate your dog, but if your pup hasn’t had bowel movements in more than 48 hours, you need to call your vet.
Is Low Fat Cottage Cheese Good for My Dog?
Yes, low-fat cottage cheese is healthy and safe for your dog, especially if you want to keep their weight in check. If your dog is already on the heavier side, it will benefit from this low-calorie snack.
What Quantity of Cottage Cheese Can I Feed My Dog?
Cottage cheese is not a balanced food and should only be offered as a snack or treat. Servings of cottage cheese should therefore not exceed 10% of your pup’s caloric intake. Although you may add cottage cheese to Fido’s diet long-term, we recommend you check in with your vet first.
Unless your vet disapproves of cottage cheese for your dog, stick to no more than a tablespoon per day. But you can start offering a smaller amount, like a teaspoon once weekly, until your dog’s system adapts to the new food. Also, give your pup plenty of water since cottage cheese contains high sodium and can dehydrate your dog.
How to Feed Your Dog Cottage Cheese
You can grate a little cheese over your dog’s kibble or offer it as a treat after mealtime. If your pup is recuperating from digestive issues and you want to reintroduce them to food, you can start them off with plain boiled rice and then add cottage cheese once your dog can keep down the rice.
Final Word
Cottage cheese is a nutrient powerhouse for calcium and protein and is an excellent probiotic. Cottage cheese is low in lactose and, therefore, a safer choice for lactose intolerant dogs but only in small amounts to avoid aggravating their stomach issues.
It is also a good recovery meal when combined with boiled rice or oatmeal for dogs rebounding from tummy troubles.
Avoid feeding cottage cheese to large-breed puppies, overweight dogs, or those with pancreatitis.
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