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Dairy

Can Dogs Eat Cheese?

check_circleSmall amounts for most pets
verified_userReviewed by Clawmate Vet TeamUpdated January 2026

Quick Answer

Tiny amounts of cheese are usually safe, but many pets are lactose intolerant.

🐕Specifically for Dogs

Many dogs love cheese! Great for training or hiding pills. Use low-fat options.

The Full Story

Hard cheeses are lower in lactose and often tolerated by pets in small amounts. Cheese can be useful for hiding pills. However, cheese is high in fat and can cause pancreatitis if overfed. Some pets are quite sensitive to dairy — test with small amounts first.

✓ Safety Tips

  • checkHard cheese has less lactose
  • checkHigh in fat - use sparingly
  • checkGreat for hiding pills
  • checkWatch for digestive upset

restaurantRecommended Serving for Dogs

Pea-sized amount as occasional treat or for hiding medication

Nutritional Benefits

ProteinCalcium

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat cheese?
Small amounts for most pets. Tiny amounts of cheese are usually safe, but many pets are lactose intolerant. Many dogs love cheese! Great for training or hiding pills. Use low-fat options.
Is cheese safe for dogs?
Hard cheeses are lower in lactose and often tolerated by pets in small amounts. Cheese can be useful for hiding pills. However, cheese is high in fat and can cause pancreatitis if overfed. Some pets are quite sensitive to dairy — test with small amounts first.
How much cheese can I give my dog?
Pea-sized amount as occasional treat or for hiding medication
What are the health benefits of cheese for dogs?
Cheese provides: Protein, Calcium. Hard cheeses are lower in lactose and often tolerated by pets in small amounts. Cheese can be useful for hiding pills. However, cheese is high in fat and can cause pancreatitis if overfed. Some pets are quite sensitive to dairy — test with small amounts first.

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