Can Dogs Eat Blue Cheese, Cottage Cheese and Brie?

Say cheese! For some of us, dairy rarely brings a smile to our faces. It's the same for dogs. If your pet is lactose intolerant, trust me, you will soon know. 

Symptoms can vary from mild to severe so when your dog eats cheese for the first time, be cautious. 

can dogs eat blue cheese

Symptoms:

  • Diarrhoea
  • Seizures
  • Upset stomach
  • Vomiting

If your dog starts to have an allergic reaction, avoid all dairy products until you can determine it really was the cheese. I recommend getting your vets to advise you to avoid any future problems. 

Is there a difference, then, between cheeses?

Cottage cheese - It's fermented and lower in lactose. However, it's sometimes mixed with additional milk products, so check the label. This particular cheese is also high in fat and calories, so give sparingly. 

Blue cheese/French cheeses - Blue cheese can be toxic for dogs when it's overripe. It produces a substance called roquefortine, a toxin that's potentially fatal for dogs. It's also got a high fat and sodium content. 

Saying that, if your dog eats a small amount by accident, they should be fine. Monitor them for the next few hours and if you notice any symptoms, contact your vet. 

Brie, feta and goat's cheese - Avoid these. Whilst delicious in human food, they contain some of the highest saturated fat levels amongst the cheeses. 

When should you avoid cheese?

'Cuddly' dogs - cheese isn't the most healthy treat option for plus-sized pooches. Leaner alternatives like chicken would be better. 

Lactose intolerant -  It's obvious, but I'll say it anyway. Any dog that's lactose intolerant or has an allergy should avoid cheese. You don't want to clean up the consequences. 

Upset stomachs - If your dog has an upset stomach, or is sensitive to foods not in their regular diet, avoid cheese.

Kidney problems - Since most cheeses have a high salt content, if your dog suffers from kidney disease, then this is one treat that you should avoid.

lactose intolerant dogs eat cottage cheese

Top Tips:

  • Start small - only give your dog a little bit of cheese to see how they handle it.
  • Too many fatty cheeses in your dog's diet can increase the risk of pancreatitis, which can often be life-threatening. 

Treatment Plan

I recommend speaking with your vet before feeding your dog new food. However, unless your dog is lactose intolerant, cheese isn't poisonous to dogs. I would avoid the ones mentioned in this article though, and any that are high in fat or sodium. 

Cheese should only make up 10% of your dog's daily calories, alongside fruit, veg and treats. Too much, will cause weight gain and other health conditions.