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Can dogs eat cheese? Yes, in small amounts

Most dogs can eat cheese as an occasional treat, but it's high in fat and salt, and some dogs don't handle dairy well. Here's how to give it safely.

By Emma Hart · NatBuddy editorial
July 4, 2026 · 4 min read
Can dogs eat cheese? Yes, in small amounts

Yes — most dogs can eat cheese, and many are absolutely wild about it. In small amounts it's a handy, high-value treat, brilliant for hiding a pill or rewarding good behavior. The thing to keep in mind is that cheese is rich: high in fat, fairly salty, and it contains lactose, so it's a little-and-occasional food rather than an everyday one.

Most healthy dogs handle a small piece with no trouble. But some dogs are lactose-intolerant and will get an upset stomach, gas or loose stools from dairy — if that's your dog, skip it. And because it's calorie-dense and high in fat, cheese is best avoided for dogs who are overweight or prone to pancreatitis.

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Pick the milder, lower-fat, lower-salt options — a little plain mozzarella, cottage cheese or a small cube of mild cheddar. Steer clear of anything with added onion or garlic (both toxic to dogs), and go easy on rich blue cheeses, which can contain a compound that doesn't agree with dogs. Always plain, never seasoned.

How much cheese can a dog have?

Think small: a cube or two for a big dog, a shred or a little piece for a small one, and not every day. Like all treats, cheese should stay within about 10% of your dog's daily calories, with the rest coming from a complete, balanced diet. Start with a tiny amount the first time to see how your dog handles dairy.

Cheese is a great high-value treat in small amounts — rich, so a little goes a long way.

Used sparingly, cheese is one of the most useful training and pill-hiding treats there is. Just keep the pieces small, the type mild, and the frequency low. Informational only — always consult your vet for dietary decisions.

Common questions

Is cheese safe for dogs?

For most healthy dogs, a small amount of mild, plain cheese is safe as an occasional treat. It's high in fat and salt, though, and some dogs can't digest dairy well — so keep portions small and skip it if it upsets their stomach.

What cheese is best for dogs?

Milder, lower-fat, lower-salt options like plain mozzarella, cottage cheese or a small piece of mild cheddar. Avoid anything seasoned or containing onion or garlic, and go easy on rich blue cheeses.

Why is my dog gassy after eating cheese?

Many dogs are lactose-intolerant to some degree, so dairy can cause gas, a loose stool or an upset tummy. If cheese does this to your dog, it's a sign to leave it off the menu.

Can puppies eat cheese?

A tiny piece of plain, mild cheese is generally fine for a healthy puppy as an occasional treat, but keep it minimal so it doesn't crowd out their balanced growth diet or upset their stomach.

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Informational only — not a substitute for veterinary advice. Recipes here are vet-informed and use no ingredients known to be toxic to dogs, but every dog is different. Consult your vet before changing your dog's diet.

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Emma Hart

Dog nutrition writer · NatBuddy

Emma Hart writes NatBuddy's dog-nutrition guides — the food-safety explainers, feeding math, and homemade recipes you'll find on this blog. She isn't a veterinarian, and nothing she writes replaces yours.

What these guides cover

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Food safety

Can dogs eat this? Clear answers on everyday foods — with genuine hazards like chocolate, grapes and xylitol flagged firmly, and the rest kept in proportion.

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Emma Hart is the byline for NatBuddy's editorial work — the writing, research and editing behind our nutrition content. She is not a veterinarian. For anything specific to your dog's health, talk to your vet. See our Vet Disclaimer.

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