Getting your Pug to do something they don’t want, can be difficult. I used to use cheese as a training tool. Today, we’re going to answer your question “can Pugs eat cheese” and whether or not it can cause them any harm.
Can Pugs Eat Cheese?
The short answer is “Yes” most Pugs will be fine eating small amounts of cheese. As long as your pooch isn’t lactose intolerant, or have any types of allergic reactions, they will be fine eating small amounts of cheese.
If your Pug is anything like my black Pug was, you won’t have any issues getting her to eat it. Most dogs will love it, the important thing to remember is that it’s best fed in moderations.
Related: Fresh Cooked Dog Food For Pugs
What Is In Cheese?
Before we take a further look at giving your four-legged friend cheese, we should find out what it is in it. As you know, there are all kinds of different types of cheeses such as:
- Cheese Puffs
- Cheese Sticks
- Cottage Cheese
- Cream Cheese
- Cheddar Cheese
I could keep going on and on with all the different types of cheese and cheese products that your pooch will love. Instead, I’ll do my best to share which cheese products are best and worst for your dog.
It’s important to know that cheese is produced from fermented mild. It is a dairy product that is produced in a wide range of textures, flavors, and forms of coagulation of the milk protein casein.
Basically, the main ingredient in cheese is milk. This article will explain everything you need to know about milk and Pugs.
Depending on the type of cheese, it made by using sheep, cow, goat, water buffalo or a mixture of these kinds of milk.
Basically, it is a dairy product and should only be given to your pooch as an occasional treat.
Are There Any Benefits of Cheese for Dogs?
As humans, we eat it on crackers, salads, hamburgers, pizza, and etc. It not only tastes good but is a good source of calcium, and protein. Most of us really have no clue about the benefits cheese provides for us and our dogs.
As I mentioned, cheese contains Vitamin A, protein, essential fatty acids, calcium (from the milk it contains), and B-complex vitamins, phosphorus, Vitamin B12, zinc. It is one of the dairy products that can help with your dogs:
- Bone health
- Dental health
- Cardiovascular system and brain (thanks to the omega-3 fatty acids)
Just as it can be good for your pooch as an occasional treat, there are some downsides to feeding your dog too much cheese.
Some cheeses like cheddar contain probiotics that can be beneficial for dogs.
Feeding Your Pug Cheese: Possible Side Effects
I used to feed Mindy cheese if I had a pill I had to give her. In fact, it’s widely recognized on a method that works for giving dogs pills. (source) It’s a great way to get them to swallow a pill and not spit it back out.
However, feeding your Pug cheese can backfire if you give them too much. So let’s take a look at the worst that can happen if they eat a block of cheese or too much of it.
If your Pug gets diarrhea when they consume milk, then you should be aware that cheese can give them diarrhea, especially if your dog is lactose intolerant.
Some dogs are lactose intolerant and dairy products have the potential to upset their stomachs.
If your pooch suffers from pancreatitis, you should avoid giving them cheese. The fat content in this human food is known to cause pancreatitis because it causes it to produce extra fat-digesting enzymes.
Some cheeses, especially, processed cheese and cheese-flavored products contain high amounts of sodium. (which is not good for your Pug)
The final reason is your Pug’s waistline. By now you know that this breed is prone to being overweight.
If your Pug is not lactose intolerant and they love the taste of cheese, you should take into consideration the number of calories they are consuming per day.
It’s easy for a Pugs weight to get out of control. That’s why I put together a list of some of the best dog foods for overweight Pugs.
Cheese and Dogs
Take it from me, once your Pug tastes a piece of cheese, they’ll be hooked.
Let’s take a look at some of the different cheeses they will love eating. Not all cheeses are the same. Cottage cheese is lighter and contains less lactose, which makes it easier for your pooch to digest. However, cream cheese contains more lactose and cause an upset stomach.
It’s important to know which type of cheese you’re feeding your furbaby before you feed them anything.
Can Dogs Eat Cottage Cheese?
I personally love cottage cheese, especially, when mixed with fresh pineapple. However, it has a yogurt-like consistency that your dog may not love.
So is it actually good for your Pug? Well, it contains less sodium than other types of hard cheeses, and it seems to be easier on a dog’s stomach. (thanks to the fermentation process)
During the fermentation process, the lactose is removed.
A study that used cottage cheese (and other things) resulted in no negative results from treating colitis in dogs.
The downside is that you will need to weigh out the correct portion sizes for your pooch. Most cottage cheese containers are 8 ounces or more, which can make it easy to overfeed your Pug.
Can Pugs Eat Cream Cheese?
I love eating cream cheese, but this probably won’t be good for your Pug, because it contains high lactose content and cream. (aka extra fat and lactose)
You’ll probably want to avoid giving your pooch this one as it can cause an upset stomach, even if other cheeses do not upset their tummy.
Can Pugs Eat String Cheese?
String cheese is usually just mozzarella cheese that you can break apart easily in straight lines. This can be a great snack for your pooch because mozzarella usually does not contain high amounts of lactose or salt.
Just be aware that your Pug may have difficulty chewing the small strings you break apart from them. Keep an eye on them so they don’t choke.
I used to break the string cheese in half instead of small thin strings just so Mindy could chew the pieces.
What Age Can Puppies Eat Cheese?
I personally would avoid giving a puppy any cheese. As I mentioned, the lactose has the potential to upset their tummy.
If you want to give your puppy a small amount of cheese, that should be fine. However, I would personally consult with your veterinarian and ask them any questions you have about giving your puppy cheese or how to add it to your dog’s diet.
Should I Give My Dog Cheese?
Every pet owner is different. Some people only feed their dogs food that is made specifically for dogs. While others don’t mind giving them human food.
As I mentioned above, cheese is a good source of dietary calcium, which is can help your Pugs bones and teeth grow and stay strong and healthy.
Personally, I would use it as a reward or treat. It can be a great way to get your dog to do something they usually won’t do on their own.
Try feeding your Pug the aged cheeses that have probiotics. You can even try feeding your Pug sauerkraut which is another superfood with probiotics.
If you’ve never given your Pug cheese before, make sure you monitor them closely after feeding them some cheese. Pay attention for any change in behavior, or potty routines.
It’s best to introduce any new food slowly. If they don’t have any negative reaction, you can implement it occasionally.
If you notice they do have a reaction, stop feeding it to them and contact your veterinarian immediately.
How to Feed Your Pug Cheese?
Stick with the types of cheeses that have lower amounts of sodium and lactose. Avoid any types of cheeses that can be toxic for your dogs, such as the types that contain garlic, chives, or any other added ingredients your pooch shouldn’t eat.
Avoid giving your pooch any cheese flavored products such as cheese Puffs or Macaroni and Cheese.
Healthy Alternatives to Cheese for Pugs
If your Pug is lactose intolerant, take a look at some of these other healthy snacks that make great treats for dogs.
Final Word On Pugs and Cheese
As I mentioned, most Pugs can eat cheese. However, it really depends on the dog. If you know that your Pug suffers from allergies or is lactose intolerant, I’d personally avoid feeding it to them.
If not, then introduce it to their diet slowly and see how much they love it! They don’t care if they eat it raw or cooked.
References and Further Reading
Milk Facts – Cheese Production
Richard W. Nelson, DVM, Laura J. Stookey, DVM, and Evelyn Kazacos, DVM, Ph.D. – Nutritional Management of Idiopathic Chronic Colitis In the Dog