As a dog owner, I know it’s always a concern to understand what your dog can eat and what should be avoided. So can German Shepherds eat cheese? The answer to that question simply is yes, they can eat cheese. Many people and trainers even use cheese as a treat to train their dogs. But that’s not where it ends. There are many types of cheese, and the question extends to “can dogs eat all types of cheese?”. The answer to that depends on the type of cheese and the individual dog because, like humans, some dogs can also be lactose intolerant.
Benefits of cheese for German Shepherd
Cheese is a source of protein, calcium, vitamin A, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamin B12. However, cheese also has fat and fatty acids, which is not necessarily bad depending on the amount consumed and the dog’s health.
Proteins
Proteins are an essential part of a German Shepherd’s diet, it helps with muscle mass, are a source of energy, beneficial for nails and hair, and boost immunity.
Calcium
It is well-known that calcium is essential for bones to keep them strong and sturdy. It helps with the functioning of the heart and is good for teeth.
Vitamin A
It improves vision and reproductive abilities and is good for your German Shepherd’s skin and coat.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus aids in energy storage. It is also important for the normal functioning of their kidneys and to maintain their heart rate.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that is required for effective wound healing and for the function of the thyroid.
Vitamin B12
Zinc is crucial for brain health and the proper functioning of a German Shepherd’s nervous system. It is also necessary for the healthy growth of their cells.
Fat and fatty acids
Fats also provide energy. An adult German Shepherd requires about 5% of fat in their diet. Meanwhile, the younger ones require 8% of fat in their diet. Fatty acids are also necessary for joint health.
Types of cheese that your german Shepherd can eat
Mozzarella cheese
Mozzarella cheese has a high amount of fat and is not necessarily dangerous for German Shepherds, but feeding it in high amounts can cause obesity. It should be given in small amounts.
Cottage cheese
Like yogurt, cottage cheese is an unprocessed type of cheese. It has less amount of sodium comparatively. However, the lactose level in this cheese is a bit higher, so it should be avoided if your German Shepherd is lactose intolerant. Other than that you can feed it to your German Shepherd.
Parmesan cheese
This type of cheese has a high level of sodium in it, and feeding it to your German Shepherd can be dangerous. It has high sodium content in it.
Cheddar cheese
Cheddar cheese has low amounts of fat, so you can easily feed it to your German Shepherd.
Goat cheese
It has a relatively lower amount of lactose in it, so it is safe to feed your German Shepherd.
Blue cheese
This type must be avoided at all costs since it has a chemical called “roquefortine C,” which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.
Feta cheese
Feta cheese has a high amount of fat, sodium, and lactose. You can feed it to your German Shepherd, but it is not advised to do so. Avoiding it is better.
String cheese
It is usually derived from mozzarella cheese and does not have too much lactose or sodium, so it is safe for your dog. However, since the cheese is stringy, it can be dangerous, so it is advised that string cheese should be cut into small pieces and then fed to your German Shepherd.
Swiss cheese
It has a low lactose content and less sodium content, so it is fine if you feed it to your German Shepherd.
How to safely feed cheese to your dog
It is always better to be safe and introduce something new in small amounts, and if your dog is used to eating cheese, it is still better to give them cheese in moderate amounts. Moderation is the key. Feeding large amounts of cheese to your dog might result in them gaining weight. The cheese itself might not be harmful to your German Shepherd, but if they eat too much, they might have diarrhea and vomiting. If you newly introduce cheese to your dog and they show some type of reaction then you should stop feeding them cheese and if the reactions are severe, then contact your vet.
When to avoid feeding cheese to your German Shepherd
If your German Shepherd is lactose intolerant
Cheese is a dairy product and has lactose in it. In dogs with lactose intolerance, it can cause a reaction.
The answer is simple if you are wondering how to know if your dog is lactose intolerant. Suppose your German Shepherd has pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, vomiting, or lack of appetite after you feed them any sort of dairy product. In that case, it is highly likely that your German Shepherd is lactose intolerant and cannot digest lactose.
If your German Shepherd has kidney problems
Since some types of cheese have high levels of sodium, it is not advisable to feed them cheese. Even if you want to, you can feed them cheese with really low amounts of sodium to avoid any problems.
If your German Shepherd is obese
So if your German Shepherd is already overweight, it is not ideal for you to feed them cheese since it has a high amount of calories and fats. It is better to avoid feeding them cheese.
If your German Shepherd have an allergy
If your German Shepherd is allergic to cheese or dairy products, you should avoid giving them cheese. Food allergy symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, skin infections, ear infections, and itchy and red eyes.
It is better to introduce cheese to them in small amounts, and if you see any type of reaction, then you should stop feeding them cheese or anything they might be allergic to.
My experience
I sometimes treat my dog with cheese and he absolutely loves it. It might be one of his favorite treats. I give it to him in small amounts and opt for cheese with low fat and sodium like goat cheese or cheddar cheese, he has had no problems digesting it, but I still like to be safe and feed it in small amounts.
FAQs
Can German shepherds eat all types of cheese?
Not really. While some types of cheese have low amounts of fat and sodium, not all of them do. Also, some types are highly processed and might have chemicals added to them that are not safe for your dog and might cause seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Are all German Shepherds allergic to cheese or dairy?
No, not all German Shepherds are allergic to cheese or dairy items, but some might be, and it is better to introduce dairy items in small amounts to them.
How to know if your dog is allergic to a certain type of food?
If your dog is allergic to a certain type of food, it might develop a skin infection, ear infection, itchiness in the eyes, or red eyes. They might also have diarrhea or vomiting.
