You may not be able to ignore your dog’s pleading face for long and be tempted to share your cheese and crackers with them. It is a common dilemma that many pet guardians face on a continual basis. Pet parents believe that since dairy products make healthy snacks for humans, it will surely be wholesome for canines too. But, that is not always the case.
It’s obvious to everyone that the sheer variety of cheeses available on the market makes the matter further confusing for many pet guardians. There is little evidence to be found that most cheese is toxic for dogs. However, there are certain kinds of cheese such as blue cheeses like Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and Stilton that can produce roquefortine that is toxic for canines.
So, can dogs eat provolone cheese? Most dogs are lactose intolerant, so cheese may bring on flatulence, bloating, vomiting or loose stools. It also contains too much fat for your dog to eat it too often. But, your dog can enjoy a tad bit of provolone cheese as an occasional snack.
So, without further ado, let’s take an in-depth look at the matter of how safe it is to feed your fluffy friend provolone cheese and how often your dog can eat provolone cheese without facing any health concerns.
Can Dogs Eat Cheese?
Cheese of all kinds is popular across the globe but, when you think about offering cheese to your dog, you need to consider several factors.
As mentioned earlier, you can’t give blue cheese of any kind to your pet. Nor is it wise to present cheese with spices or condiments such as cheese with herbs or garlic to your pooch.
Similarly, some cheeses have additives and preservatives to give them a longer shelf-life. Such kinds of cheeses you should never allow your pet to ingest without taking a good look at the full list of ingredients.
Also, you have to realize that most types of cheese such as goat cheese, brie, or feta are pretty high in caloric content, so if your dog doesn’t have regular exercise, cheese can be the cause of obesity for your four-legged friend.
Not to mention, many kinds of cheese have a high salt content too. So, if your dog suffers from kidney problems, then you don’t want your pet to have much cheese.
With this said, cheese does contain calcium, essential fatty acids, protein, vitamin A, and vitamin B-complex. The amino acids your dog gets from protein will enhance your dog’s healthy skin and hair growth, muscle development, and tissue repair.
Vitamin B complex acts like a coenzyme, promoting biochemical reactions to change carbohydrates into glucose that gives your dog the energy it needs. As you must already know, calcium supplies ample health benefits too. The vitamin A present in cheese will aid your dog in development of skin, muscle, and nerves.
Some cheese such as provolone is entirely safe for your canine. Provolone is fundamentally Italian aged cheese that comes in smoked varieties as well. Smoked provolone isn’t for dogs but regular, unseasoned provolone makes an excellent treat for dogs.
Provolone cheese is a low carbohydrate cheese as 1 oz. of provolone cheese contains only about 0.5 g of sugars. Furthermore, the process of making provolone cheese knocks off the lactose and results in glucose and galactose. Provolone is well-tolerated by most dogs.
Moreover, there are many lactose-free provolone options available for you in the market that allow you to feed your pet without fear of diarrhea or stomach upset.
And when you take into account the health benefits associated with feeding your dog certain types of cheese, it does make sense to delight your faithful companion with cheese as an occasional snack. Many professional dog trainers make use of hardened cheese or chewy cheese sticks to train dogs.
Pet parents claim that providing their pets with a chewy cheese stick works like a charm to satiate their pets hunger pangs and ease their boredom. In comparison to soft cheese, hard and chewy cheese such as provolone lasts longer, and so your dog will have a longer time to munch and chew on it.
How Often Can You Feed Your Dogs Provolone?
If you are giving your dog provolone or any other kind of cheese for the first time, make sure to give only a little and then monitor your dog.
If your pet does not seem to suffer from any ill effects such as bloating, tummy aches, or diarrhea, then you know that they are okay with having a little bit of cheese from time to time.
As much as your dog may love the pungent smell of a provolone cheese stick, you can’t make cheesy treats a part of your furry friend’s daily diet.
Canines need to have a low-fat, low-sodium meal, and even if you go with a sodium-free, fat-free, and low in calories provolone cheese, you still need to ensure that you offer no more than one or two cubes or sticks once a month.
According to animal nutritional experts, the treats that you provide your dog should not exceed more than 10% of their recommended daily calorie intake.
So, if your pooch weighs around 35 pounds, then the treat should not have more than 35 calories. One slice or cube of cheese can contain up to 90 calories. One ounce of low-fat provolone cheese is 45 calories. So, even with a low fat choice, you are giving them a boost of saturated fat which can be unwholesome in the long run.
Excessive cheese can give your pooch pancreatitis and heighten their risk of cardiac disease, hypertension, and diabetes. In an older dog, the heart risk is worsened with obesity. With little form of exercise and advancing years, older dogs need to have their diet regimented quite thoroughly to promote longevity and fitness.
If your dog is on antibiotics, then the absorption of antibiotics such as Doxycycline is reduced with the consumption of dairy products. Consequently, you want to take care with how much cheese, even provolone cheese, you grant your doggie.
What Other Kinds Of Cheese Are Safe For Dogs?
Cottage cheese has the lowest amount of sodium and fat. Cottage cheese can be found salt-free, low-fat, free of preservatives or additives. If you prepare a home-cooked cottage cheese treat for your pup, you will be doing them a favor.
Additionally, cottage cheese is quite high in proteins so your dog’s snack will go a long way in ensuring stronger and healthier bone, dental, and heart health. Moreover, there are many different kinds of cheeses that are low in lactose due to the way these cheeses are made.
Low lactose cheeses include:
- Cheddar
- Mozzarella
- Swiss
- Pepper jack
- Parmesan
It can be good for dogs to have a taste of cheese once in a while. Many times, dogs are administered medications through slipping pills inside a cheese treat. What’s more, training your dog becomes an easier task with a stick of hard cheese close at hand.
Final Thoughts
Being a pet parent of a canine can mean a lot of fun. Canines are ever loyal, affectionate, and playful. They love their humans dearly and truly. But, being a pet guardian also means being responsible for a life. This means you will need to pay special attention when it comes to the diet of your pet.
Offering your doggie cheese isn’t unhealthy at all if you practice control. Random bites of cheese, particularly provolone or cottage cheese, can actually be beneficial. The added protein, calcium, fatty acids, and vitamins will prove beneficial for your dog’s well-being. You just need to steer clear of blue cheese, cheeses with herbs or spices, and high caloric content cheese.
Giving your pet provolone cheese to make them take their medicine, teach a trick, or follow simple training instructions and even relish a snack for longer will not just work to your benefit but for the overall health of your dog too.
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