Can dogs be lactose intolerant?

Yes, many adult dogs lose much of the enzyme needed to digest lactose properly as they grow out of puppyhood. This does not always cause obvious symptoms from a very small amount of cheese, but a larger portion is more likely to lead to loose stools or wind.

Is cheese good for hiding a dog's tablet?

It is a commonly used trick and a small piece works well for the purpose, as long as it fits within an otherwise sensible amount of cheese for your dog. It should not become a daily habit purely because it is convenient.

Can cheese cause pancreatitis in dogs?

Regularly feeding high-fat foods like cheese is considered a contributing factor in some dogs, particularly those already prone to the condition. An occasional small piece is a different matter to frequent or generous amounts, but dogs with a history of pancreatitis are better off without it.

What cheese is safest for dogs?

Plain, low-fat options such as a small cube of mild cheddar or a spoonful of cottage cheese are better choices than rich, strong or blue cheeses, some of which carry an additional risk beyond ordinary lactose intolerance. Keep any cheese to a small, occasional amount.

Should overweight dogs avoid cheese completely?

It is sensible to cut it out or keep it extremely occasional, since the fat content works against weight management. A vet or a low-calorie training treat is a better source of regular rewards for a dog who is watching their weight.

Is cheese bad for dogs?

Cheese is not toxic to dogs, so a small piece now and then is not something to panic about, but it is not a food to give freely either. Many dogs are at least somewhat lactose intolerant, and cheese is high enough in fat and salt that regular or generous amounts can cause problems well beyond a simple stomach upset.

Why cheese needs limiting rather than avoiding entirely

Dogs lose much of the enzyme needed to digest lactose properly as they grow out of puppyhood, so many adult dogs are lactose intolerant to some degree, even if they show no obvious signs from a very small amount. A bigger piece, or cheese given regularly, is more likely to cause loose stools, wind or general digestive discomfort.

The fat and salt content is the other consideration, and it matters more with frequent feeding than with an occasional small piece. Regularly feeding high-fat foods like cheese is linked to weight gain and, in dogs already prone to it, can be a contributing factor in pancreatitis, which is a genuinely serious condition.

Which cheeses to choose, and which to avoid

Plain, low-fat cheeses in a small amount are the better choice if you want to give your dog cheese at all — a small cube of mild cheddar or a similar hard cheese, rather than anything rich or heavily processed. Cottage cheese in a small spoonful is another lower-fat option some owners use.

Strong, mould-ripened or blue cheeses are best avoided altogether, since some of these have been linked to a more serious reaction in dogs beyond ordinary lactose intolerance. There is no good reason to offer them when plainer options are available.

How much is sensible

A small piece, used occasionally as a treat or to hide a tablet, is a reasonable amount for most dogs without a known dairy sensitivity. It should stay an occasional extra rather than a regular feature of your dog's diet, given both the lactose and the fat content.

If your dog has previously shown loose stools or wind after cheese, that is a fairly clear sign to stop offering it, rather than something to push through. Every dog's tolerance is a little different, and there is no need to persist with a food that clearly does not agree with them.

Dogs that should avoid cheese altogether

Dogs who are overweight, have a history of pancreatitis, or are on a vet-prescribed diet for any reason are generally better off without cheese, since the fat content works against exactly what those diets are trying to manage. Check with your vet before making cheese a regular treat for a dog in any of these categories.

Puppies can usually tolerate a very small amount the same way an adult dog would, but there is little reason to introduce it early when plenty of puppy-appropriate treats exist and a young digestive system is already adjusting to enough that is new.

Safer things to give instead

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Chicken-Wrapped Milk Stick Dog Treats

Chewy dog treats of soft milk sticks wrapped in real chicken for tasty, protein-rich rewarding.

From£12.99

Turkey Tail Mushroom & Probiotic Powder

A bacon-flavoured turkey tail mushroom and probiotic powder you sprinkle over food. Made to support immunity, energy and gut health, with scoop guidance for every weight from small to large pets.

£13.99

Yeast Protection Gut & Skin Supplement For Dogs

A powdered daily supplement for dogs to support normal gut flora and healthy skin, with a measuring scoop.

£14.99

Browse all of Dogs →

Common questions

Can dogs be lactose intolerant?: Yes, many adult dogs lose much of the enzyme needed to digest lactose properly as they grow out of puppyhood. This does not always cause obvious symptoms from a very small amount of cheese, but a larger portion is more likely to lead to loose stools or wind.
Is cheese good for hiding a dog's tablet?: It is a commonly used trick and a small piece works well for the purpose, as long as it fits within an otherwise sensible amount of cheese for your dog. It should not become a daily habit purely because it is convenient.
Can cheese cause pancreatitis in dogs?: Regularly feeding high-fat foods like cheese is considered a contributing factor in some dogs, particularly those already prone to the condition. An occasional small piece is a different matter to frequent or generous amounts, but dogs with a history of pancreatitis are better off without it.
What cheese is safest for dogs?: Plain, low-fat options such as a small cube of mild cheddar or a spoonful of cottage cheese are better choices than rich, strong or blue cheeses, some of which carry an additional risk beyond ordinary lactose intolerance. Keep any cheese to a small, occasional amount.
Should overweight dogs avoid cheese completely?: It is sensible to cut it out or keep it extremely occasional, since the fat content works against weight management. A vet or a low-calorie training treat is a better source of regular rewards for a dog who is watching their weight.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.