Can Dogs Eat Parmesan Cheese?

Dog owners have a habit of sprinkling parmesan cheese on their pet's meals as a way of encouraging them to eat. If you've been doing that, but you're suddenly wondering, can dogs eat Parmesan cheese? You're not the only one.

Parmesan cheese is described as a hard cheese. It features minimal lactose levels, unlike softer cheeses, and the aging process lasts up to a year, so you expect high sodium levels. People buy the original Parmesan cheese or purchase the store-bought version which has already been granted. But, can dogs have Parmesan cheese? Let’s find out.

Can You Give Your Pup Parmesan Cheese?

The answer to this question is determined by the size of your dog and the amount of cheese you're giving. It's vital to remember that these pets are averagely intolerant to lactose because they can't break down milk sugar lactose. Thus, it would be best if you fed your pooch as many slices of cheese as they can tolerate.

Averagely, a dog can handle two grams per kilogram of weight when looking at lactose. So, you can find out how much your pooch weighs in kilograms and calculate the amount of cheese they can consume. The amount of Parmesan cheese depends on the type you buy, but luckily, it is always lower than what you get in soft cheese.

If you're using fresh cheese, it can have lactose amounts as high as 3.2 percent. In the case of the packaged Parmesan, it is between 2.9 and 3.7 percent.

You should also keep in mind that Parmesan cheese contains a lot of sodium because of the aging process, which means there’s a lot of salt and is harmful to dogs. It particularly becomes threatening with pets that have special health conditions. Only give your dog 1mg per kilogram of body weight daily to prevent salt toxicity, regardless of the food they are having.

So, when it comes to parmesan cheese for dogs, you should feed them in moderation and infrequently, considering their health conditions and body weight.

Health Consequences of Eating Parmesan Cheese in Dogs

It's easier for your little friend to break down hard cheese than soft types because of the minimal lactose levels, but this doesn't mean they should consume it in significant amounts. When wondering is Parmesan cheese bad for dogs, you shouldn't feed them with it a lot, or it leads to a gastrointestinal upset.

Here are some effects you might notice on your dog’s health if they take too much Parmesan cheese. These can be caused by excess salt or lactose.

• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• No appetite.
• Bloating.
• Flatulence.
• Weakness.
• Disorientation.
• Seizures and muscle spasms.
• Lethargy.
• Too much drinking and urinating.
• Quick heart rate.
• Watery diarrhea.
• Fever.

If you recognize these signs, primarily caused by salt toxicity, you should immediately take your dog to the vet.

Steps to Take if Your Dog Consumes Parmesan Cheese

Since we have established the answer to, is Parmesan ok for dogs, depends on a wide range of factors, you need to take specific steps when they take the cheese while you're not looking.

If you notice or suspect your pooch ate Parmesan cheese that you didn't give to them yourself, then figure out how much they took. This might be difficult to identify, except you’re aware of how much cheese you had, whether in blocks or the grated versions in the bottles. If there's a lot of cheese missing, contact your vet immediately.

Also, call Pet Poison Control to ask questions about whether your dog needs immediate attention. If you're not noticing signs, you can still take your pup to the nearest vet for a checkup. Taking your dog to the vet after they eat something wrong helps to know how much they consumed, what time they ate it, and other specific information.

Conclusion

With knowledge on the amount of Parmesan cheese to feed to your dog, add just a little to their food once in a while. You should also keep the cheeses away from them and contact the vet if they ever get to it. After reading this article, I hope you understand whether Parmesan cheese is ok for dogs.

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