Can Dogs Eat Cottage Cheese? Is It Bad For Them?

Fat from real food sources is good for dogs as it helps them stay full longer and fat assists in more nutrient absorption. So, many dog lovers would like to know if it’s safe and beneficial to give cottage cheese to their furry friends too.

Can dogs eat cottage cheese? Yes, dogs can have cottage cheese.

Cottage cheese is a fresh, mild, soft, and creamy white cheese that has become increasingly popular as a nutritious and tasty human food for dogs. It can be made with either whole milk or lower-fat milk.

Cottage cheese is made by acidifying milk, which results in the curds separating from the whey. After the curds are formed, they’re rinsed and some salt may be added for taste and additional minerals.

Is Cottage Cheese Good For Dogs?

Cottage cheese is very nutritious for dogs and is loaded with a variety of essential vitamins and minerals including protein, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, Vitamin A and B vitamins, riboflavin folate, and B12.

Cottage cheese is also full of protein assisting in healthy muscles, teeth, nails, and strong bones.

As a matter of fact, cottage cheese is helpful in treating some of the most common ailments experienced by dogs including diarrhea and stomach aches.

It is recommended to consult your vet before you use any foods to treat an ailment.

Take a look at how adding cottage cheese to your pet’s diet is beneficial to their overall health.

• Protein:  Protein supplies amino acids or building blocks for healthy fur, skin, nails, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.  It also assists in creating hormones and enzymes that are needed for normal body functions and provides your dog with an energy similar to carbohydrates. If a dog’s protein levels are higher than the body requires, the excess will be stored as fat or will leave the body when through urination. . If you feed a diet with too little protein, over time the animal may show symptoms of weakness, weight loss, scaly skin, and an unhealthy coat
• Calcium:  Calcium is critical for healthy bones, joints, nails, teeth, a strong nervous system, and a full healthy coat. Ample calcium levels are essential for nutrients to be absorbed and processed by the dog’s body
• Phosphorus: Phosphorus is essential in the formation of bones and teeth and is important in processing carbohydrates and fats
• Selenium, Zinc: These are trace minerals that keep the dog’s immune system strong and healthy thyroid gland
• Vitamin A:  Vitamin A also found in carrots, is a fat-soluble vitamin responsible for fetal development in expectant dogs, overall immune system function, and cell growth and development
• Vitamin B, Folate, Riboflavin:  These vitamins assist in the dog’s overall health, nervous system, and help regulate energy and metabolism

How Much Cottage Cheese Can You Feed Dogs?

So as you can see, adding tasty cottage cheese to your dog’s diet can be a very healthy addition.

Start by adding a small amount to your pet’s regular food and slowing increasing the amount every other day or so so his digestive tract gets used to the new food.

Here are some easy ideas for introducing cottage cheese to your dog:

• Add cottage cheese to your dog’s regular food for a nutritional boost
• Scramble an egg and mix with the cottage cheese for a meal supplement
• Add as an ingredient for homemade dog biscuits. Combine cottage cheese, cooked sweet potatoes, and bake in the oven
• Mix cottage cheese with ground chicken, brown rice, an egg, and spinach or kale for nutritional homemade dog food

Is Cottage Cheese Safe for Dogs?

If your dog is lactose intolerant or allergic to milk and dairy products do not include cottage cheese or any dairy into their diet.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance and dairy allergies are bloating, gas, diarrhea, and stomach pain, excessive itching, eye seeping, and skin rashes.

Consult a veterinarian to discuss the proper amount of cottage cheese to add to your dog’s healthy diet.

Final Word

Cottage cheese provides both humans and dogs many great benefits. While there are some safety concerns that owners should be aware of, these problems are typically mild and cottage cheese is not poisonous to dogs.

The positives certainly outweigh the negatives when it comes to feeding your pet cottage cheese as well as other vegetables in moderation and as part of a healthy lifestyle.

So the answer to the question, “can dogs eat cottage cheese?” The answer is a dog wagging, four paws up,  “yes!”

image: Deposit Photos

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