Can Dogs Eat Parmesan Cheese? Explained!

So, can dogs eat parmesan cheese? You might have stopped to think about whether or not your dog should eat Parmesan. Parmesan is a hard, aged cheese that comes from Italy’s Reggio Emilia and Parma regions. It’s a hard cheese, so it doesn’t have as much lactose as soft cheeses like mozzarella and brie.

It has also been aged for up to 12 months, which means it has more salt than cheeses that haven’t been aged. It’s important to know that in the United States, “real” Parmesan cheese is usually called Parmigiano-Reggiano. Even though the pre-grated Parmesan you can buy in plastic shakers is technically Parmesan cheese, it has additives that aren’t in real Parmesan.

Can Dogs Eat Parmesan Cheese?

So, can dog eat parmesan cheese? Most dogs can’t handle some lactose, but not all of it. Dogs can’t break down the milk sugar lactose because they don’t have the enzyme lactase. A healthy dog might be able to handle up to 2 g of lactose per kg of body weight.

There are 2.2 lbs in 1 kg, so if you know how much your dog weighs in pounds, you can easily figure out how much they weigh in kilograms by dividing by 2.2. Grated Parmesan cheese can have anywhere from 2.9% to 3.7% lactose, while fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese can have anywhere from 0% to 3.2% lactose. Since Parmesan is a hard cheese with less lactose than some softer cheeses, it may be easier for your dog to digest.

Because it has been aged, it will naturally have more sodium than other types of cheese. When Parmesan was first made, salt was the most common natural way to keep it from going bad, so it still has a lot of salt. This can be bad for a dog’s health, even if the dog is healthy, but especially if the dog has heart or kidney disease. If your dog has a problem with its heart or kidneys, you shouldn’t give them Parmesan because it can get too much salt.

Side Effects Of Parmesan Cheese For Dogs

Now, can a dog eat parmesan cheese? Parmesan is easier on your dog’s digestive system than some other cheeses because it has less lactose. But if your dog eats a lot of it, it can still make its stomach upset. If your dog can’t handle the lactose in Parmesan, any of the following could happen:

• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• A lack of appetite
• Flatulence

Since the amount of salt in Parmesan is higher than the amount of lactose, signs of salt toxicity may occur more often than signs of lactose intolerance. If a dog eats too much salty Parmesan, he or she will show the following signs:

• Disorientation
• A lack of appetite
• Muscle spasms,
• Nausea/vomiting
• Weakness/ataxia
• Lethargy
• Excessive drinking and urinating

Related: CAN DOGS EAT SAUSAGE?

What If My Dog Eats Parmesan Cheese

If your dog eats Parmesan, you should first try to figure out how much it ate. Whether this is easy or hard to figure out depends on whether you have grated Parmesan in a shaker bottle or in a block. If they ate a lot of cheese, the effects will depend on how big your dog is.

For example, a 5 lb dog that eats a whole shaker bottle of Parmesan will have different effects than a 55 lb dog that eats the same shaker bottle of Parmesan. You can call your vet or Pet Poison Control to find out if you need to take them to the vet right away or if you can wait and watch for symptoms.

If the hotline tells you to go to the vet, they’ll give you a case number to give to the vet. This is helpful for your vet because they can call the hotline and ask the veterinary toxicologist for specific advice for your dog.

Most vets know what is poisonous for your dog to eat and what isn’t, but there are so many toxins your dog can get into that there is a different treatment for each, and treatment plans can change based on a dog’s medical history and how they are responding to therapy. When it comes to poisoning, the vets who work at pet poison control centers are basically poisoning specialists.

Even though most dogs can eat small amounts of cheese without getting sick, not all cheeses are the same. Because it has a lot of salt, Parmesan cheese isn’t the best dog treat or food topper. Choose something like cottage cheese instead. This is a lot better for your dog to eat as a snack.

FAQs: Can Dogs Eat Parmesan Cheese

Is Parmesan Cheese OK To Give To Dogs?

Your dog’s organs could be damaged if you feed it too much salt or sodium. Blue cheese, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, feta cheese, and other grilled and pizza cheeses are quite salty, therefore it may be best to avoid feeding them to your dog.

Is It OK To Sprinkle Cheese On My Dog’s Food?

​ Cheese is safe for canine consumption. As a matter of fact, cheese can be an excellent instrument for training, especially with puppies.

What Kind Of Cheese Can Dogs Eat?

Dogs can enjoy low-fat cheeses like mozzarella and cottage cheese as a snack because of their lower fat content. Because of its low lactose content, Swiss cheese is a good choice for your pet. Cheddar is a popular type of cheese found in kitchens everywhere, and its low sodium content means that it poses no health risks when consumed in moderation.