Cheese is one of those staples that we all find in our fridges. Be it vegan, dairy, or lactose-free, we’ve seen it all. But is this cheese safe for german shepherds to eat? The answer is yes! German shepherds can safely consume cheese.
However, the decision of whether or not you should give cheese to your german-shepherd depends on the specific conditions that it has. Hence there is no generalized answer as to whether all german shepherds can eat cheese or not.
To have a deeper understanding of this, you need to learn first about the types of cheese available in the market and whether your dog can eat that type or not. Along with this, learning about the advantages and disadvantages of eating cheese for german shepherds is also very important.
What are the different types of cheese, and can german shepherds eat each type?
All cheese types have different nutrient makeup, distinguishing them from each other. This is the reason why we need to know about each different type and whether that is safe for your german-shepherd or not. The following list contains several different types of cheese.
- American Cheese: American cheese is a cheese composed of a mixture of milk, milk solids, lipids, and whey protein that is commonly sold in individually wrapped yellow-orange slices. When fed in moderation, your german-shepherd will have no problems consuming American Cheese.
- Cottage Cheese: Cottage cheese is a form of unprocessed cheese similar to yogurt but contains less sodium than most hard cheeses. Because it is frequently not matured, it has a higher lactose content than other cheeses. Some brands increase the lactose level of Cottage Cheese by incorporating full milk into the manufacturing process. Cottage Cheese is normally mild on your german shepherd’s stomach, so unless your german-shepherd is lactose sensitive, there’s no reason they shouldn’t consume it.
- Parmesan Cheese: Crumbly and Hard Parmesan is one of the most popular cheeses in the United States. Parmesan cheese should be avoided when it concerns your german-shepherd. Because parmesan cheese is heavy in sodium, it could be harmful to your german-shepherd.
- Cheddar Cheese: This is, without a doubt, the most loved cheese on the planet. In the manufacture of cheddar, up to 1/3 of the fat is routinely eliminated. Cheddar is safe to consume and is frequently sliced into little slices as a pleasant training reward for dogs.
- Goats Cheese: Although goat cheese has less lactose than its bovine counterparts, the price makes it unaffordable for dogs. Your german-shepherd is safe to consume goat’s cheese.
- Blue Cheese: Based on where you’re in the world, blue cheese is prepared from cow, sheep, or goat milk. Penicillium cultures are responsible for the veins’ bluey-green color. Blue cheese includes a chemical called Roquefortine C, which is extremely harmful to dogs. Diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, and seizures are symptoms of Roquefortine C poisoning in dogs. If your canine has eaten blue cheese, get medical help right away.
- Limburger Cheese: Limburger is a Wisconsin-made cheese with a reputation as one of the world’s worst-smelling cheeses, despite its German-sounding name. Despite the smell, German shepherds generally enjoy the flavor of Limburger Cheese, which is safe for canines to eat. The cheese can be used as a reward for their dogs.
- Feta Cheese: Feta is originally manufactured from a combination of goat and sheep’s milk, although cow’s milk is increasingly being used in its production. Feta is a brine-cured, salty cheese. Although technically safe, feeding your German-shepherd Feta is not recommended because of its extremely high sodium, lactose, and fat content.
- Monterey Jack Cheese: Monterey Jack is a real American cheese first created in Monterey, California, back in the 1700s. Monterey Jack cheese is a safe treat for your german-shepherd, and many of them enjoy it.
- Pepper Jack Cheese: Pepper Jack cheese is Monterey Jack cheese with mild and moderate peppers. When feeding Pepper Jack cheese to your dog, you need to be cautious. Some people enjoy the heat, while others claw and paw at their mouth, leading to problems. The peppers’ heat is also likely to induce digestive problems, including diarrhea. Although it is possible to feed Pepper Jack cheese to your german-shepherd, it is not recommended.
- Swiss Cheese: Swiss cheese is an American cheese inspired by Swiss Emmenthal and therefore is popular throughout the United States. Swiss cheeses are often low in lactose and salt, making them suitable for consumption by your german-shepherd.
- Brie: Brie is the fifth most common cheese in the United States, yet your dog should avoid it. Although not harmful, Brie is a very high-fat, highly rich cheese that can create health problems in your German Shepherd. It is, therefore, best avoided.
- Camembert: An additional soft cheese For your dog, Camembert is in the same category as Brie. Camembert is a very high fat, highly rich cheese that can create health problems in your german-shepherd. It is, therefore, best avoided.
- String Cheese: String cheese is a popular addition to family picnics and school lunchboxes across the United States. String Cheese is often made of mozzarella or provolone and is low in sodium and lactose, making it an excellent treat for your german-shepherd. The stringiness of cheese is the only potential hazard, so make sure you cut it up into tiny chunks before feeding it to your dog.
- Mozzarella Cheese: This is the most used cheese in America, which should come as no surprise to anyone who has ever purchased a pizza! Mozzarella is a cheese with high-fat content. As a result, mozzarella is a cheese to avoid if you have a dog. Mozzarella is okay to feed your dog, but only in little amounts.
Now that we have explained a few types of cheese let’s look at the benefits of consuming cheese for your german-shepherd.
Benefits of consuming cheese for german shepherds
Like many dairy products, cheese is high in protein, vitamins A and B12, calcium, zinc, riboflavin, and phosphorus, among other nutrients (B2). If a slice of cheese is prepared with grass-fed cows, Healthy Fats and Vitamin K-2 are also present in cheese. All of these things are important for your dog’s health.
The following are the nutrients present in cheese and how they help your german-shepherd.
Vitamin A
A few nutrients that keep your german shepherd’s coat appearing bright, healthy, and alive are vitamin A. It is one of those vitamins that aid in your dog’s vision. It’s the vitamin in carrots that helps you see from the dark, and it’s why you’re instructed to eat them!
Finally, it’s one of those vitamins which are required for your german-shepherd to thrive! As a result, it’s very beneficial for pups.
Vitamin B12(Cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 is a B vitamin that helps the brain and neurological system work properly. It’s also involved in blood cell production and proliferation. Finally, vitamin B12 is required for your dog’s digestive health.
Protein
Protein is, without a doubt, one of the most important aspects of your german shepherd’s diet. It’s very beneficial for both healing and growing muscles. Protein is a calorie-dense food. If you’re attempting to lose weight with your german-shepherd, it’s occasionally best to feed them extra proteins and less fat.
Furthermore, it will aid in the maintenance of your german shepherd’s immune system. Finally, it aids in the production of hormones in the body that keep your german shepherd’s body in good working order.
Calcium
As we all know, it aids in the development of strong bones. It’s also vital for your german shepherd’s bones and teeth to remain healthy and in optimal shape. When your German shepherd’s blood needs to thicken, it’s also used.
It also helps with muscle contraction, which includes the heart-pounding of your german-shepherd. Calcium is also beneficial to your german shepherd’s eyesight. Finally, it’s involved in hormone and enzyme metabolism.
Phosphorus
Phosphorous mixes with several enzymes in the dog’s body to keep things running smoothly. It’s also used in all of your german shepherd’s muscular contractions, including their heartbeat. It not only aids in the contraction of your german shepherd’s heart, but it also aids in keeping it steady while exercising.
Phosphorus is frequently used in the kidney functioning of your german-shepherd. It aids in the removal of poisons from their bodies through their kidneys. Finally, it assists the body by converting stored energy into usable energy.
Zinc
Zinc prevents your german shepherd’s immune system from being overly or under reactive. It not only aids their immune system, but it also aids thyroid function. Finally, it aids in the proper functioning of your german shepherd’s digestive system.
Fatty Acids
The fatty acids aid in the health of your german shepherd’s skin and coat. They also aid in the maintenance of a healthy immune system. Finally, they encourage cell growth, which is essential for all creatures!
Disadvantages of eating cheese for german shepherds
Although cheese has many benefits for your canine, it can also be harmful to the dog. Several components of cheese could turn out to be dangerous. To give you a better understanding of this, we will be explaining several different disadvantages.
Lactose intolerance
If your german-shepherd is lactose intolerant, one of the most prevalent reasons to avoid giving them cheese is because they are lactose intolerant.
German shepherds, like humans, can have problems digesting dairy. They develop an enzyme known as lactase while they’re puppies, which aids in the digestion of lactose. Lactase production declines as people age, and lactose intolerance develops.
Even little amounts of dairy, such as cheese, can result in severe stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and nausea.
Check how your german-shepherd reacts the first moment you feed them cheese. If they have a negative reaction, you should take them to the veterinarian to see if they are lactose intolerant.
Weight Gain
Cheese, in addition to lactose intolerance, increases the likelihood of your german-shepherd putting on weight. As you may be aware, cheese is incredibly fatty, so use it carefully if you intend to feed it to your german-shepherd.
A big amount of cheese can lead to medical problems.
If your german-shepherd puts on too much weight as a result of eating cheese, their risks of contracting diseases and illnesses rise as well.
And it isn’t always the case when people acquire weight. Your german-shepherd may appear healthy on the surface, but they may be ill on the inside.
As a result, make sure you’re not overfeeding your german-shepherd!
Pancreatitis
A higher risk of pancreatitis is one concern associated with feeding your german-shepherd a lot of cheese. If they have pancreatitis, they will experience a slew of unpleasant symptoms, including vomiting, nausea, and an elevated heart rate. It can even be lethal in some situations.
Cheese is high in salt.
Certain cheeses (typically harder, older cheeses) have a high salt content, which can cause sodium overdose if consumed in excess. Although your german-shepherd would likely get enough to neutralize the sodium in their diet, it still is a good idea to keep an eye on them if they eat a lot of different things.
Excessive thirst, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea are signs of salt poisoning. High-salt diets have also been linked to renal disease in dogs.
This is the best time to know about how exactly you can feed cheese to your german-shepherd to be 100 percent safe.
How to feed cheese safely to your german-shepherd?
As a Reward for Training
Cheese cubes in small pieces are a nice treat for your german-shepherd. You may cut up a little bit of Cheddar or Swiss Cheese for special occasions and use it instead of a typical dog treat. To keep your GSD motivated, don’t use cheese as a training treat all of the time; instead, use it rarely.
Keeping Medicine Hidden
Getting medicine in our German Shepherds was a complete problem, so we turned to cheese as a last resort. A soft, spongy cheese masks the scent and flavor of the tablet and serves as an excellent vehicle for administering the medication to your german-shepherd.
As an addition to their meals
A delightful modification with a health boost can be added to your german-shepherds supper by shredding some cheese or combining it with a liquid cheese as a treat.
Final Thoughts
You now understand that german shepherds can safely consume cheese. You must, however, ensure that you can only give it to them in small amounts.
If you’re not sure whether or not to give them cheese, talk to your veterinarian first.
Here are some key considerations to keep in mind.
- Cheese includes vitamin A, vitamin B12, calcium, protein, phosphorus, fatty acids, and zinc, which are beneficial to german shepherds.
- Overfeeding your German shepherd with cheese can cause lactose intolerance, excess weight, pancreatitis, and other health problems.
- If you observe your german-shepherd vomiting, having diarrhea, or being bloated, that’s a good indication that they’ve eaten too much. However, keep in mind that this could indicate lactose intolerance.
- You can feed your german-shepherd cheeses in a variety of ways, as a good return, in their meals, as medicine, in puzzle feeders, and heated.
- Stick to cheeses like cheddar and Monterey Jack, which are low in calories and saturated fat. Also, steer clear of flavored or blue cheeses, heavy in calories and fats.
Hence you should feed your german-shepherd this yummy treat but always be wary of all the effects and talk to the vet before feeding it to your german-shepherd.
