You might think twice before giving your dog a cheesy treat on a regular basis. A catchy tune on the social media platform TikTok is going viral, but it could also mean concerns for your pet. The craze of the video shows dog owners feeding their canine companions cheese while playing “The cheese tax” song.
Many veterinarians are making a friendly warning that giving your pet too much cheese or ones that have additional ingredients may be toxic and harmful to them. According to Sean McCormack, Head Veterinarian at tails.com, says “Cheese may sound like it has many benefits to your dog’s diet because it is filled with protein, calcium, and vitamins that are all good for your dog’s health. But it’s important to remember that cheese can be extremely high in fat, and feeding it to your dog regularly can lead to a number of health issues, including unwanted weight gain or pancreatitis – an illness that can be fatal to dogs.” Milk-based products can be harmful to your dog’s health because many canines are actually lactose intolerant and struggle to digest dairy foods properly.
Some suggested dog treats that can be substituted in moderation are bananas, unsalted peanut butter, berries, and eggs. You can find more information from tails.com on safely feeding your pet human food below.
Why is regularly eating cheese dangerous for your dog?
Sean McCormack, Head Vet at tails.com, says, “While it's fine to give some dogs cheese as a treat in moderation, succumbing to those adorable puppy eyes every time you take it out the fridge, isn’t always in their best interests for a number of reasons:
It can cause health problems
“Cheese may sound like it has many benefits to your dog's diet because it is filled with protein, calcium and vitamins that are all good for your dog's health.
“But it's important to remember that cheese can be extremely high in fat, and feeding it to your dog regularly can lead to a number of health issues, including unwanted weight gain or pancreatitis - an illness that can be fatal to dogs.
Some ingredients are toxic to dogs
“Some types of cheese that taste delicious to humans can contain added ingredients that can be toxic to our four-legged friends, such as garlic, onions and chives. When these are consumed by our dogs, they can cause damage to their red blood cells and can result in them becoming anaemic.
“If your pup might be a bit of a scavenger when you are cooking, make sure to keep any cheeses that contain toxic ingredients somewhere out of reach of those curious paws!
A lot of dogs do not digest it well
“As well as potentially being harmful to your dog's health, you should try to avoid feeding them lots of milk-based products like cheese because many canines are actually lactose intolerant, and struggle to digest dairy products properly.
“Though it can be safe to give your pet some cheese in small quantities as a treat, you should probably hold off from doing so if they are lactose intolerant. Instead, find a healthy alternative that will keep them from ‘looking’ every time ‘you’re cooking’ to avoid any unpleasant reactions such as vomiting, diarrhoea and loose stool.”
What kind of food should I give my dog as treats instead?
Bananas - “Bananas cram a lot of nutrition into a small, dog-friendly package. They’re full of potassium, fibre, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, lutein and selenium. Always remove the peel, and serve in moderation to avoid giving your dog too much sugar.”
Unsalted Peanut Butter - “Unsalted peanut butter with no added sugar can be a good treat to give your dog, as long it is given in moderation. It is packed full of nutrients, such as vitamins E and B, as well as proteins that are all good for your dog's diet. Before letting your furry friend happily lick the spoon, make sure to check whether it contains any xylitol - a sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs.
Blueberries, Blackberries and Raspberries - “High in vitamins C, E and K, and packed with antioxidants like anthocyanin, berries are great nutritional all-rounders. Blueberries contain good levels of B vitamins like folate and B6, too, while blackberries are a great source of potassium and magnesium. Meanwhile, raspberries are sweet, without being too calorific – great for dogs on a weight management diet.
Eggs - “Eggs are full of nutrients, rich proteins and vitamins that will benefit canine health. However, that being said, eggs should only be given as an occasional treat, and served boiled or scrambled without any added ingredients. Fried eggs are better off avoided, as they can come with a lot of grease that could further upset their digestive system or cause weight gain.”
