Can Dogs Eat Gouda Cheese? 9 Tips You Wish You Knew
Your Guide To: Can Dogs Eat Gouda Cheese?
Fact checked and reviewed by:
Dr. Joseph Menicucci, DVM, MBA
With its creamy textures and tantalizing flavors, cheese is a staple in most dog parents’ diets. Therefore, the temptation to slide a slice of gouda cheese to your furry companion as you prepare your charcuterie board can be overwhelming – let’s find out, Can Dogs Eat Gouda Cheese?
However, before succumbing to the doleful, begging eyes, you may wonder if gouda cheese is safe for dogs.
Gouda cheese is a safe dog treat, but only if fed in moderation. Too much gouda cheese significantly stresses your dog’s digestive system. Like any other cheese, gouda contains a significant amount of lactose—and most dogs are lactose intolerant.
Dogs struggle to digest cheese and other milk-based products because they have limited amounts of lactase. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk. Dig in as we explore if you should share this tasty delight with your furry companion.
Can Dogs Eat Gouda Cheese? Can Dogs Have Gouda Cheese?
Gouda cheese is a safe dog treat, but only if you make an occasional treat. Like any other cheese, gouda is high in fat and calories and is best fed to dogs in moderation.
Too much of this delicacy may overwhelm your dog’s digestive system. That may lead to digestive problems such as upset stomach or diarrhea.
Additionally, some furry companions are lactose intolerant—they cannot digest lactose, a sugar found in milk-based products such as gouda cheese. A lactose-intolerant dog may become distressed after consuming a chunk of cheese. Symptoms of lactose intolerance in dogs include diarrhea, bloating, vomiting, flatulence, and decreased appetite.
Unfortunately, you can’t be sure if your furry companion is lactose intolerant until you offer them gouda cheese or other milk-based products. Start with a tiny piece of gouda cheese and watch keenly for signs of digestive distress. It could take minutes or hours for the signs to manifest.
If your dog gobbles the chunk and shows no distress, you may introduce gouda cheese as a treat. But not as a regular feature but an occasional treat—too much cheese is unhealthy for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Smoked Gouda Cheese?
Regular gouda cheese is safe for dogs, but smoked gouda cheese not so much. Smoked cheese isn’t safe for dogs because it contains an unhealthy amount of salt. High salt content is harmful to dogs as it may lead to increased thirst and dehydration. Excessive sodium consumption may lead to electrolyte imbalances in your furry companion.
Secondly, smoked cheeses often contain additional flavorings, seasonings, and ingredients that may be potentially harmful to your dog. Onion or garlic powders, which are highly toxic to dogs, are a staple in smoked cheeses. Therefore, you’re better off not offering smoked gouda or any other smoked cheese to your furry companions.
Is Gouda Cheese Ok for Dogs? Is Gouda Cheese Good for Dogs?
Gouda cheese is good for dogs—but only if fed in moderation—because it contains proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It’s also high in fats and calories, making it a tasty and nutritious delight.
Since dogs love gouda’s delicious taste, it makes an excellent treat or reward.
Gouda cheese is also a nutrient-dense dog treat jampacked with the healthy goodness essential to your dog’s health and development. However, gouda cheese is, at best, an occasional treat, not a regular feature in a dog’s diet. Too much of the tasty delight may lead to digestive issues and weight gain.
Like in humans, obesity triggers a host of health issues that may endanger your dog and lower its quality of life.
Is Gouda Cheese Bad for Dogs?
Gouda cheese isn’t inherently bad for dogs if offered in moderation. Too much gouda cheese or any other cheese is terrible for your dog. If a dog overindulges in cheese, they may experience digestive stress characterized by stomach upsets, diarrhea, vomiting, and gas.
Gouda cheese is a high-fat and calorie-dense dog treat. 6 Too much of it can lead to several health issues. Your dog may struggle to digest the high-fat content, leading to digestive problems. Worse still, some dogs develop pancreatitis if they consume too much cheese.
Due to the high-calorie content, indulging in gouda cheese may lead to excessive weight gain in dogs. Obesity in dogs leads to various health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems.
Can I Give my Dog Gouda Cheese?
You may give your dog gouda cheese, but only after ascertaining they’re not lactose intolerant. But even then, you should offer gouda cheese in moderation as a special treat.
Too much of these doggy treats may trigger compounding health issues that range from mild stomach upsets to severe conditions such as pancreatitis.
If your dog is lactose tolerant and enjoys gobbling chunks of gouda cheese, you should also offer the treat in moderation. Making gouda cheese a regular feature in your dog’s diet may lead to weight gain and obesity.
Can Dogs Eat Gouda Cheese And What Are The Health Benefits?
There are numerous health benefits to adding gouda cheese to your dog’s diet as an occasion treat. Like all cheeses, gouda is jampacked with proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
Protein is essential to your dog’s muscle development, repair, and overall health. With its rich profile, gouda cheese is a one-stop shop for your dog’s vitamin needs. A chunk of this tasty delight delivers vitamin C, D, E, K, and B12 complex to your pup.
Vitamin D helps with teeth health and bone development and regulates calcium and phosphorus levels.
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects against free radical damage while giving your furry companion a healthy skin and shiny coat. Vitamin K improves blood clotting, while the B12 complex ensures proper nerve function and blood transportation.
Gouda cheese is a mineral-rich delight brimming with calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and zinc. These minerals play a multifaceted role in keeping your furry companion in excellent health—from building strong bones to maintaining proper heart function. Enjoying our article on Can Dogs Eat Gouda Cheese? There’s plenty more to come!
Can Dogs Eat Gouda Cheese And How Should I Serve It To My Pet?
Always serve gouda cheese to your dog in moderation. Proceed with caution to establish if your furry companion is lactose intolerant. You may offer cheese as chunks or mix it into regular dog food.
Always cut gouda cheese into small bite-sized pieces when offering it as a stand-alone treat. Never offer a whole block of cheese, and avoid large chunks, as that’s crossing into overindulging territory.
Since lactose-tolerant dogs love gouda chess, you may use it as a training reward. Cut a small chunk into smaller pieces and offer them as rewards during obedience training. You can use it to reinforce positive behavior. Cheese bits make for enjoyable training sessions for your dog.
Alternatively, you occasionally spruce up regular dog food with small amounts of gouda cheese to add flavor. Use the cheese as an occasional topping, not as the main dish or a significant portion of the meal.
Can Dogs Eat Gouda Cheese And How Much Should I Give My Dog?
Remember that moderation is key when offering cheese to your furry companion. Dogs, even those with no lactose intolerance, can suffer severe health consequences if they consume large amounts of cheese.
A general rule of thumb is that dogs shouldn’t consume gouda cheese that exceeds 10% of their body mass. 8 So, if your dog weighs 10 pounds, you could offer 1 ounce of cheese.
However, considering that 1 ounce of gouda cheese contains about 90 calories, it’s simply too much. Your dog may struggle to digest it, leading to digestive distress.
Can Puppies Eat Gouda Cheese?
As a dog parent, the urge to introduce this tasty delight as soon as your puppies transition into a solid diet is understandable. However, is gouda cheese safe or healthy for puppies?
Puppies can safely eat small amounts of gouda cheese with no adverse effects. However, it would help if you exercise caution when introducing cheese into your pup’s diet. Ideally, ensuring your pup isn’t lactose intolerant would be best before offering cheese. Like adult dogs, lactose-intolerant puppies will experience diarrhea, gas, and bloating after consuming cheese.
After establishing that your pups can safely consume cheese, you should offer gouda as an occasional treat. Practice portion control and never provide too much in one go. Always cut gouda cheese into small pieces when presenting it as a treat. Mix it into your pup’s regular feed to heighten the flavor.
Looking For Some Healthy, Homemade Dog Food Recipe Inspiration?
So, Can Dogs Eat Gouda Cheese? What’s the Verdict?
Yes, dogs can safely eat gouda cheese, but in moderation. Gouda cheese is a high-fat and calorie-dense dog food. The high-fat content may overwhelm your dog’s digestive system and may lead to digestive distress.
Offering too much cheese can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and, in extreme cases, pancreatitis. Can Dogs Eat Gouda Cheese?
Some dogs are lactose intolerant, so ingesting even the smallest gouda cheese can trigger digestive issues within minutes.
All said gouda cheese is a safe, tasty, and delicious doggie treat—but only if offered in moderation as an occasional treat. If you’re looking for more nutritional advice for your pet, The American Canine Club is a great starting point for all things canine health.
