When it comes to your dog’s diet, a lot of questions can come to mind. Every dog parent wants the best for their fur baby, and proper nutrition is crucial in doggie health.
So, can chihuahuas eat cheese? We researched to develop the best dietary tips possible when it comes to your dog and dairy consumption.
Can Chihuahuas Eat Cheese?
Chihuahuas can eat cheese, and many enjoy the taste of it. While some existing discourses on cheese consumption suggest digestion problems and constipation in dogs, it is low-fiber diets that link to this problem.
Combining cheese and other dairy products with high fiber ingredients should work together to provide a balanced diet for your chihuahua and eliminate issues like constipation. If your chihuahua loves cheese, you can safely add it into its diet without feelings of worry.
Benefits of Cheese
When it comes to feeding dogs cheese, several benefits present themselves. One benefit of adding cheese to your dog’s diet is its nutritional value. Cheese has contents such as protein, calcium, vitamin A, fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins that aid your chihuahua’s overall health.
Cheese can also be helpful when training. Many commercial dog treats contain cheese flavoring because of dogs’ attraction to it. Using real cheese with the reward system while training may better your dog’s progress or at least provide some extra motivation to listen.
Lastly, cheese can be beneficial when your chihuahua needs to take medicine. It is no secret that most dogs are not fond of taking pills. Hiding pills in cheese can make it easier for your chihuahua to be more accepting of the medicine.
Serving Suggestions When Feeding Chihuahuas Cheese
It’s true what they say about having too much of a good thing. So, how much cheese should you be feeding your chihuahua? This will largely depend on your dog’s tolerance level and size.
Here are some serving size tips:
- Check with your chihuahua’s veterinarian to determine what serving habits will best support your dog’s dietary needs and weight.
- Use cheese as a special occasion treat.
- Only use cheese in moderation when training.
- Add a small amount of shredded or cottage cheese to regular meals.
Kinds of Dairy to Add to Your Dog’s Diet
While researching if cheese is a good additive to your chihuahua’s diet you may think about the possible benefits of other dairy products. There are plenty of good cheese options that propose a nutritional value to your dog, but dairy overall can cross fine lines between being healthy and unhealthy.
It is good to keep in mind that certain lactose levels in dairy products can negatively affect your chihuahua’s digestive tract. You also want to stay away from any dairy products that have high fat and sodium quantities as these could have adverse effects on your dog’s overall health.
Cheddar
Cheddar is a good cheese choice for your chihuahua because it is relatively low in fat, salt, and lactose. Cheddar is not only a great source of calcium but phosphorus as well. Phosphorus helps the heart, liver, and kidneys stay healthy.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage Cheese contains a nutritional value that suits both puppy and adult chihuahuas. The best option when buying cottage cheese for your dog is to go for a low-sodium brand. Cottage cheese is high in protein and calcium and can be comforting to a chihuahua with an upset stomach.
Mozzarella
Mozzarella is an excellent low-fat cheese option. It also has low salt and lactose levels which are best suited for chihuahuas. Mozzarella servings should be shredded or in small pieces to avoid any choking hazard the sticky cheese can present.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is safe for chihuahuas to consume in moderation. Opting for low-fat cream cheese and serving it in small amounts only on occasion is a good option.
Goat Cheese
Soft goat cheese is safe for dogs to consume. This is an excellent low-fat cheese that will be supportive against excessive weight gain due to cheese consumption.
Other Dairy Products:
- Yogurt is high in protein and can act as a probiotic for dogs. Yogurt can counteract lactose intolerance due to a “good” bacterium called lactobacillus. It is best to avoid any yogurt with artificial sweeteners. Sticking to a small amount of plain yogurt is suggested.
- Ice cream is not generally compatible with your chihuahua’s digestive system. While they may enjoy the taste, it is best to stay away from this dairy product due to its high lactose content.
- Milk contains a very high level of lactose and can be disruptive to your dog’s digestive system. While milk is not toxic to dogs, it also is not an essential part of your dog’s diet.
Lactose Intolerance in Dogs
Similar to humans, not all dogs have the same tolerance levels to various foods. There is always a chance your chihuahua will have an intolerance to dairy products containing lactose.
The best step to take in finding out if your chihuahua is lactose intolerant or not is to be observant. Start with an initial, small serving size of cheese and watch for signs of digestive distress afterward. You can also visit your local vet with any questions regarding lactose intolerance in your chihuahua.
Overconsumption
Dogs are known culprits of food snatching. If your chihuahua gets into too much cheese, there are a few things you can do to help.
Feeding your dog its regular food after overconsumption of cheese can help ease the digestive tract from processing cheese alone. For any mild digestive side effects you observe, it is important to keep your chihuahua very hydrated. A 50/50 mix of Pedialyte and water is an excellent option for supporting hydration. If you observe any severe changes in stool or other concerning side effects, consult your veterinarian.
Final Verdict
So, can chihuahuas eat cheese? Our final verdict is yes. Chihuahuas can safely consume cheese. When deciding on any dietary changes for your dog, always consult your vet as well.
Cheese products low in fat, sodium, and lactose can be beneficial to your chihuahua’s overall health. Options like cheddar, cottage cheese, and mozzarella can provide appropriate levels of protein, calcium, vitamin A, fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins that will support your dog’s healthy lifestyle.
They are also helpful in rewards systems while training and attempting to give your dog medications it is not fond of. Cheese is not toxic to chihuahuas; however, consumption should be in moderation. Some great ways for including cheese in your chihuahua’s diet are using it as a special occasion treat or mixing small amounts in with regular food.