Blue Cheese: Is it Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Are you enjoying having blue cheese and thinking of sharing some of it with your canine buddy? Well, as a responsible dog owner, you should research if blue cheese is safe for dogs to consume.
We have done all the research to save your time and have crafted this article to let you know the pros and cons of feeding blue cheese to dogs. So, stay here and walk through this article to know if you should share some blue cheese with your furry friend!
As a dog owner, you might be aware that dogs never refuse food. They love having meals and enjoy snacking at any hour of the day. Dogs are big foodies, and if it were up to them, they would probably indulge in food 24/7. Being a dog mom/dad, you must know dogs are huge fans of all sorts of cheese! Be it string, mozzarella, cheddar, or even blue cheese, your dog will be obsessed with all of them and will have them any time of the day.
Today, we will talk about blue cheese and the effects of its consumption on dogs. Dogs love to sniff everything and follow their noses. Since blue cheese is extremely flavorful and fragrant, dogs get attracted to it because of its smell. If you have kept a slice of blue cheese on the table, your dog will most likely be the first one to have that piece!
As a dog owner, you should also ensure your dog doesn’t go near trashcans because they usually have food dumped in them. Since dogs are attracted to cheese, it is highly likely that they might pick up a food item with cheese and have it!
However, you should not let your dog have blue cheese in any case! Blue cheese is extremely dangerous for your dog’s health because of the following reasons:
Roquefortine can cause poisoning in your dogs.
Blue cheeses like stilton and Roquefort contain fungus, which produces a substance called roquefortine C; It is usually developed in cheeses that have gone bad. Some dogs are sensitive to this substance because it causes vomiting, diarrhea, high body temperatures, and seizures, too, in the worst case. This is the primary reason why blue cheeses are strictly kept away from dogs.
But if your dog takes blue cheese in moderation, they are less likely to experience these symptoms, unlike dogs who consume it every other day! Blue cheeses are high in fats too, and any sort of high-fat cheese is detrimental to your dog’s health because they cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Your dog might have lactose intolerance.
Your dog might be lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy. In such cases, don’t give blue cheese to your dog, even in moderation. Such dairy products cannot be easily digested by dogs and have adverse reactions.
Dogs shouldn’t have too much salt.
Blue cheese contains high salt contents, which is why it shouldn’t be given to dogs. But if you want to treat your dog, you can offer him a small piece of blue cheese.
Blue cheeses are high in cholesterol.
A single serving of blue cheese provides 5 grams of saturated fats to your body. Giving this much fat to your dog every day is an open invitation to obesity!
My dog ate too much blue cheese. What will be the consequences?
When your dog has consumed spoiled blue cheese, you will most likely see him vomiting, diarrhea, or restless. Your dog might even experience high fever, seizures, tremors, and abdominal pain in the worst cases.
In such cases, it is a life-threatening emergency for your dog, and you should take your dog to the vet immediately because he is in dire need of medical attention! The vet will prescribe some medicines that will help alleviate your dog’s pain and provide him with a quick recovery.
FAQs
Can cheese upset a dog’s stomach?
Some dogs are lactose intolerant, and when these dogs have cheese, they experience diarrhea and vomiting.
How much cheese can you give a dog?
Cheese is a good source of vitamin B and fatty acids, but dogs are consuming these in their diets anyway, so there is no requirement to feed them cheese. If you are giving them cheese, make sure it is on an occasional basis.
You need to consider your dog’s weight and size before giving him cheese. If your dog is overweight, you should avoid him giving cheese. Similarly, don’t give cheese to overweight dogs or dogs with kidney problems. Go for low-calorie and low-fat cheeses, so your dog doesn’t get obese.
What are some healthy dog foods?
Eggs, dry dog foods, cooked carrots, and grain-free dry foods will provide complete nutrition to your dogs. These food items will not harm your dog’s health and will keep him healthy and happy! You can also ask your vet about some healthy treats for your dogs!
Conclusion
So, all in all, blue cheeses are not healthy for your dogs. Unlike other cheeses, blue cheese should not be given to them even in moderation because they contain Roquefortine, which can cause poisoning. If the dog consumes spoiled blue cheese, he might have to deal with adverse effects like vomiting, restlessness, and even tremors and seizures in worst-case scenarios. It would be best to feast your dog with healthy dog treats as they are good alternatives to cheese and don’t have high amounts of calories and fats.
