Can Dogs Eat Provolone Cheese? 4 Important Facts

Reviewed & Fact Checked Dr. Joseph Menicucci Veterinarian DVM, MBA

Dog beside on a plate of provolone cheese

Your Guide To: Can Dogs Eat Provolone Cheese?

Written by

Keenan Farrell

Fact checked and reviewed by:
Dr. Joseph Menicucci, DVM, MBA

With its smooth texture and rich, slightly tangy flavor, provolone cheese is a beloved staple in Italian cuisine. Whether enjoyed in a hearty sandwich, melted atop pasta, or paired with fruits and meats on a cheese platter, provolone adds a delightful touch to any meal. Its versatility makes it a favorite for many cheese lovers.

The enticing aroma of this savory cheese can easily lure your canine companions into the kitchen, their tails wagging in anticipation. Dogs often love the taste of cheese, making it a popular treat for training or rewarding good behavior. However, as tempting as it may be to share your provolone, it’s essential to consider your dog’s dietary needs and any potential health risks.

Before you offer your furry friend a bite, it’s crucial to understand whether provolone cheese is safe for dogs. While some dogs can enjoy small amounts without issue, others may have lactose intolerance or sensitivities. Always consult with your veterinarian and introduce any new food gradually to ensure your pet’s safety. So, can dogs eat provolone cheese? Let’s dive into the details!

Can Dogs Eat Provolone Cheese? Can Dogs Have Provolone Cheese?

The delicious, melty goodness of cheese is irresistible to humans and dogs alike. Cheese turns each meal into a delectable feast with its creamy texture and savory taste. Naturally, you’d wish to share some of this nutritious goodness with your furry companion because dogs adore cheese.

But not all cheese is created equal. While some varieties are dog-safe, others pose a severe health risk for your pooch. Drizzling the wrong cheese variety into your dog’s food can subject them to digestive distress or, worse, send them to the ER. But where does provolone cheese lie on the dog-safe scale?

Can Dogs Eat Provolone Cheese

Dogs can eat provolone cheese in moderation if they’re not lactose intolerant. ¹Provolone is an aged cheese with a low lactose level, but that’s no reason to overindulge your pooch. Dogs have a touch-and-go relationship with cheese because they struggle to digest lactose—the milk sugar. ¹

Offering too much of this aged cheese may overwhelm their digestive system, subjecting your pet to upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, and flatulence. Portion control is essential when making provolone cheese part of your dog’s diet because it’s high in fat. ²

Subjecting your dog to a high-fat diet poses an obesity risk and may trigger other weight-related issues such as canine diabetes and arthritis. Even worse, your dog may develop pancreatitis or pancreas inflammation, a painful and potentially fatal condition.

Still, provolone cheese has higher sodium levels than other cheese varieties. A 100 piece of provolone cheese contains 750 mg of sodium ^3.That’s 7.5x the recommended daily intake for dogs. As such, dogs that consume too much of this delight stand the risk of sodium poisoning, a potentially fatal condition.

Enjoying a small piece of provolone cheese as a treat

What Cheese is Safe for Dogs

Some dog-safe cheese includes provolone, mozzarella, ricotta, cheddar, and cottage cheese. ⁴ While these cheese varieties are low-lactose, you should only offer them in moderation.

It’s best to avoid feeding your pooch fatty, rich cheeses and those with added herbs, spices, and condiments. Blue cheeses are a no-go for dogs because they contain roquefortine C, a toxin that induces vomiting and seizures. ⁵

Is Provolone Cheese Bad for Dogs

Provolone is a dog-safe cheese. ¹You can offer this tasty, low-lactose delight to dogs that aren’t lactose intolerant. Moderation is vital when offering provolone to dogs because too much can trigger digestive problems. Making this cheese a staple in your dog’s diet may pose a health risk as it may lead to obesity.

Avoid offering provolone cheese with additional ingredients, such as spices and condiments, as they may endanger your dog’s health and well-being. ⁶

Can Dogs Have Processed Cheese

Processed cheese is not recommended for dogs.⁷ Processed cheese products like cheese spreads or slices often contain high salt levels, additives, and preservatives, which can harm dogs. High salt content may lead to sodium poisoning, a life-threatening condition characterized by excessive thirst, tremors and seizures. Artificial additives and preservatives are problematic for dogs because they cause allergic reactions and digestive distress. Instead of processed cheese, stick to dog-safe, low-calorie cheeses such as mozzarella, cheddar, and cottage cheese.

What Health Benefits Does Provolone Cheese Have?

Provolone’s nutritional profile makes it a nutritious treat for your pooch. Like most cheeses, it’s high in proteins, vitamin A and B complex, and essential minerals such as potassium, calcium, and sodium. These nutrients confer a diverse range of health benefits, including:

Supports bone health: Like most cheeses, provolone is calcium dense—100 grams of this delight contain 756 mg of calcium. ³Puppies need calcium for proper bone and teeth formation in puppies, while adult dogs need it for proper skeletal development. Adequate calcium in a dog’s diet lowers the risk of bone-related disorders as they age.
Healthy muscle development: Provolone cheese is rich in protein—100 grams contain 26 grams of protein. ³ Dogs need adequate protein in their diet for healthy muscle development. Provolone cheese is also rich in fatty acids—omega-3 and omega-6—that help improve joint and heart health and support brain development and cognitive functioning in adult dogs.
Improved immune function: The vitamin A in provolone helps strengthen your dog’s immune response. ⁹It stimulates white blood cell production and maintains the integrity of the mucous membrane in the lungs to help dogs ward off pathogens. It’s found in every cell in the body and improves cellular function to keep your pooch in excellent health.
Energy metabolism: Provolone contains phosphorous, which supports a dog’s ability to convert food into energy. ¹⁰That ensures your pooch has high energy levels to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Phosphorous also improves a dog’s endurance and coordination by supporting nerve signaling.
Proper nerve and muscle function: Provolone cheese is rich in sodium, which is crucial in helping dogs maintain a healthy fluid balance in the body. ¹¹ It also ensures proper transmission of nerve impulses, allowing the dog’s brain to communicate efficiently with all the other body parts.

What’s the Best Way to Serve My Dog Provolone Cheese?

If introducing provolone or any other cheese for the first time, ensure your dog isn’t lactose intolerant. Offer a small piece of cheese and observe for adverse reactions such as diarrhea, vomiting, or flatulence. You may safely offer the cheese if your dog shows no discomfort.

A dog sitting in a kitchen, gazing at a slice of provolone cheese on a plate

That said, always serve provolone cheese to your dog in moderation as an occasional treat. Offering too much or too frequently may trigger weight problems in your pup, leading to obesity and the associated problems. While provolone is a low-lactose cheese, it is high in fat—which may lead to obesity or trigger pancreatitis in some dogs.

Most people offer cheese as a training reward or a snack or use it to help pups swallow pills. You can offer diced provolone as a stand-alone treat or food topping. For an extra treat, melt a chunk and drizzle its cheesy goodness on your dog’s regular food as a topping.

How Much Provolone Cheese Should I Give My Dog?

Dogs go crazy about cheese, so you must protect them from themselves. Never leave a cheese block lying around; they’ll wolf it down, oblivious of the consequences. Ideally, you should only offer your dog a small piece of provolone cheese at a time—no matter how much they beg for more.

Remember, 100 grams of provolone has a high sodium content—7.5 times higher than the recommended daily intake. As such, offering too much of this cheesy delight can trigger the risk of sodium toxicity alongside the usual digestive distress. ¹²

Can Puppies Eat Provolone Cheese?

Puppies can safely provolone cheese when offered in moderation. ¹³Like most cheese varieties, provolone is a rich calcium source for puppies. It can help ensure adequate dietary calcium for proper bone and teeth formation. Puppies require more calcium to help with bone and teeth mineralization.

Proceed cautiously; however, puppies have more food sensitivities and allergies than adults. First, you’ll need to determine if your pups are lactose intolerant by offering milk or milk-based products. If they can safely handle lactose, you may offer a small piece of cheese and observe for adverse reactions such as stomach upsets.

You may add provolone cheese to their diet if they don’t show any adverse reactions. However, portion control is crucial to spare puppies from the health complications that may result from overindulging in cheese.

So, Can Dogs Eat Provolone Cheese? What’s The Verdict?

Lactose-tolerant dogs can safely eat provolone cheese when it is offered in moderation. Although provolone is a low-lactose cheese, it may trigger digestive distress if a dog overindulges. Offering too frequently may increase the risk of pancreatitis and lead to obesity.

When offered in moderation, provolone cheese is a nutrient-dense snack for dogs—it contains vitamins, proteins, and essential minerals such as calcium, sodium, and phosphorous. However, due to its higher sodium content, overindulging in provolone carries dire health risks for dogs.

You may offer provolone cheese to your dog if you practice portion control and offer it as an occasional treat instead of a regular meal item.

Sources

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.

Can Dogs Eat Provolone Cheese? 4 Important Facts

Your Guide To: Can Dogs Eat Provolone Cheese?

Can Dogs Eat Provolone Cheese? Can Dogs Have Provolone Cheese?