Can my dog have cottage cheese?

Most dog owners enjoy sharing dinner scraps with their pup or giving them people food as an occasional treat. While some human foods are a definite no-no for dogs, cottage cheese is not one of them. In fact, cottage cheese is full of nutrients that are good for dogs and may particularly help dogs with an upset stomach.

According to the ASPCA, a small amount of cottage cheese can be safely added to your dog’s regular diet of canned and dry dog food. However, it should not constitute more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet. Also, dogs with certain health conditions or food allergies should avoid cottage cheese. Be sure you exercise caution when introducing a new food to your dog. It’s usually a good idea to check with your veterinarian first.

Compared with other cheeses, cottage cheese is a low fat cheese and contains less sodium, which helps reduce the risk of obesity in dogs. Because cottage cheese has undergone fermentation, its lactose content is lower than that of other milk-based products. This means the likelihood of upsetting your pup’s tummy is lower. Most importantly, cottage cheese provides essential nutrients dogs need to be healthy. These nutrients include: 

• Protein. This supplies a dog’s body with energy and helps them build and maintain body tissues. 
• Calcium: Cottage cheese is rich in calcium. This crucial element in your dog’s health works as a digestive aid, helps bones store calcium, and helps your dog’s heart function efficiently.
• Magnesium: This key mineral staves off heart disease. Without sufficient  magnesium, dogs may suffer heart arrhythmia, fatigue, and GI issues, among other problems. 
• Vitamin A: Benefits include support for healthy eyes and skin, the formation of organs and structures in growing animals, and immune function. 
• Amino acids: Protein is made up of amino acids. Of the 20 amino acids that dogs use, 10 essential ones must come from food.
• Fatty acids: An important part of a dog’s meal because fatty acids are responsible for regulating their body temperature and cushioning their internal organs. They also play an important role in skin and joint health, too.
• Probiotics: Probiotics support your dog’s gut health by introducing healthy bacteria into the system. Probiotics are most beneficial to dogs that have recently been on antibiotics or are recovering from an illness.
• Potassium: This important electrolyte is vital for normal function of muscles and nerves.

Cottage cheese is also a healthy way to help your underweight dog pack on a few needed pounds. It’s a wiser choice than giving a skinny dog more treats because too many treats can cause them to vomit or have diarrhea. That would totally defeat the purpose of giving your pup extra calories with treats.

Keep in mind the type and amount of cottage cheese you share with your dog. Cottage cheese can have a high sodium content, which can lead to high blood pressure. It’s better to choose a low-fat variety and low-sodium brand, if possible. 

Cottage cheese that contains flavoring agents such as onion, chives, and garlic can present a toxicity risk. Avoid feeding your dog anything but plain, low-fat cottage cheese.

Many dogs are lactose intolerant but they can usually tolerate cottage cheese. However, some dogs may have adverse reactions to any type of cheese, even in small quantities.  Examples include dogs with milk allergies and pancreatitis. Interestingly, lactose intolerance, food allergies, and even pancreatitis have similar symptoms, such as bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. If your dog eats cottage cheese and begins to suffer any of these symptoms, stop feeding them cottage cheese and schedule an appointment with your vet. 

Food intolerance is something else to watch for, which differs from a food allergy. While the two may present themselves in a similar fashion, food intolerance occurs with an initial exposure to the problem food or food additive compared with food allergies, which generally require several exposures before signs appear.

You don’t have to just give Fido cottage cheese straight from the carton. You can get creative and create some dog-friendly treats with cottage cheese. Here are just a few recipes that integrate cottage cheese and should be tasty for your dog! 

There are a range of foods that are safe for dogs — from oatmeal to pumpkin. Even vegetables,  such as cucumbers, green beans and carrots, are safe and many dogs can’t get enough of them. Rice is included in some dogs foods, and you can safely give your dog a little cooked rice off your plate. “Superfoods” that we humans are encouraged to eat for their high nutritional value, such as blueberries, salmon, and sweet potatoes, are also a great choice for your dog. You can combine some of these foods with cottage cheese to make a delicious homemade dish for your dog.