Can Puppies Eat Cottage Cheese?
Can Puppies Eat Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese is used across a wide variety of recipes! And why not? It’s yummy! Plus, it’s low in calories and has a mild flavor. And it’s often recommended as part of a healthy diet for us. But what about our dogs and puppies? Can they eat cottage cheese?
What is Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese is soft, white and creamy. It’s the part of the cheese that doesn’t go into the aging or ripening process as do other types of cheese. Cottage cheese also has a mild flavor, which means it goes with everything.
Cottage cheese is made from the curds of cow’s milk. You may have noticed there are different sizes of curd including small, medium, and large. Plus, it’s available as creamed, lactose-free, reduced sodium, sodium-free, and whipped.
Did you know that cottage cheese is really good for you? The reason is that’s filled with plenty of nutrients. These include phosphorous, vitamin B12, selenium, riboflavin, calcium, folate, vitamin B6, zinc, and copper.
Because it’s extremely healthy and has a mild flavor, cottage cheese can be used in all types of recipes including:
- Salads
- Pancakes & waffles (use instead of milk)
- Fruit
- Granola
- Dipping sauces
- Smoothies
- Baked goods
- Mayonnaise substitute
- Scrambled eggs
- Lasagna
This is a very versatile, healthy ingredient!
Can Puppies Eat Cottage Cheese?
Yes! Puppies (and adult dogs) can safely eat cottage cheese. In fact, it’s a healthy snack for them if the puppy is on a balanced diet.
What About Lactose Intolerance?
It is possible that some puppies will be lactose intolerant. Lactose is a type of sugar found particularly in dairy foods. In most people (and dogs), lactose is broken down by the body. The substance that breaks down lactose in the body is called lactase.
If a puppy is lactose intolerant, it means the puppy’s body isn’t able to properly break down the lactose. The puppy doesn’t have enough lactase in his system, then he will be lactose intolerant.
Dogs, in general, don’t produce much lactase in their bodies. Puppies have a higher level of lactase in their system just before they reach the weaning phase. Once past this point, though, dogs will have lower amounts of lactase as they age.
So, in general, most puppies should be able to safely enjoy cottage cheese! It’s best to begin gradually introducing cottage cheese to a puppy’s diet.
You might start out by giving them a bite or two, no more. Then monitor your puppy for any symptoms that indicate he’s lactose intolerant. You may notice symptoms such as diarrhea and/or bloating. However, if the puppy seems OK, then you can slowly go ahead and add a little more cottage cheese to your puppy’s diet.
Just be sure to monitor your puppy and watch for any concerning symptoms. If you note any type of reaction, then stop the cottage cheese immediately and let the vet know. And remember, cottage cheese should be no more than 10% of your puppy’s diet.
