Imagine it is time for breakfast and you are late for work. As you hurriedly put some cream cheese on your bagel, your pet runs up to you and starts begging for a spoonful.
You certainly don’t have enough time to calmly explain to your dog that he can’t have cream cheese. Before you consider giving in to your persistent pet, you should ask yourself, “Can dogs eat cream cheese?”
Can Dogs Eat Cream Cheese?
The simple answer is yes; dogs can eat cream cheese. The American Kennel Club (AKC) suggests that eating cheese benefits dogs. It contains protein, calcium, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. A spoonful of cream cheese makes a great treat and is perfectly safe for your pet.
How Much Cream Cheese Can My Dog Have?
Cream cheese is high in calories and fat, so feed it in moderation. It does not contain any essential nutrients for your dog’s health. Use cream cheese as a treat in small portions or to hide medicines. If your dog has too much cream cheese, it can cause various problems such as digestive upset and pancreatitis.
How To Safely Feed Cream Cheese To Your Pet
Just like peanut butter, a spoonful of cream cheese can be an excellent way to reward good behavior. You can use it sparingly to encourage your dog to eat if he has a low appetite. You can also use a spoonful of cream cheese to hide medicines your dog dislikes. If you’re preparing homemade treats for your pet or a cake, you can use cream cheese as frosting.
However, you should limit the use of cream cheese so as not to create bad habits. Your dog might start begging for cream cheese even when medication is no longer necessary.
When To Avoid Cream Cheese
If you are unsure about the ingredients in a certain food, you avoid eating it. This simple rule also applies to dogs. In any case, organic cream cheese with all-natural ingredients is the best for you and your pet. There are instances where you should avoid feeding cream cheese to your pet altogether. While most dogs can eat cheese and cream cheese in small quantities, it is not the same for all. In some cases, even a spoonful of cream cheese could harm your pet.
Lactose Intolerance
According to the AKC, dairy products can cause food intolerance in many dogs. Most dogs have trouble digesting milk but find it easier to digest cheese and yogurt. Since these dairy products contain healthy gut bacteria, they might even be tolerable for some lactose intolerant dogs. However, some dogs have an adverse reaction to all dairy products. Like humans, dogs experience lactose intolerance with varying severity. Some dogs may show mild symptoms, while others can show severe symptoms. Common symptoms of lactose intolerance are vomiting, abdominal pain, flatulence, and diarrhea.
Figuring out whether your dog is lactose intolerant or not can be tricky. Most pet parents only discover that their pet is lactose intolerant after feeding them milk. If your dog has had a large amount of milk, he will experience adverse symptoms regardless of intolerance. If your pet shows intolerance symptoms when fed a small amount of milk, they are probably lactose intolerant.
In most cases, lactose intolerance does not mean your dog cannot have cream cheese. You should use small portions and carefully monitor your pet for symptoms. If your pet experiences digestive upset after feeding it cream cheese, switch over to other treats such as peanut butter.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic illness affecting humans, dogs, cats, and other animals. The main feature of diabetes is trouble breaking down glucose. Diabetes can occur either as insulin-deficiency diabetes or insulin-resistant diabetes in dogs. The body does not produce enough insulin in the former, while the latter involves issues in insulin function.
As many commercial pet food brands switch to grain-free options, there is a rise in the addition of starchy fillers. Dogs are carnivores and derive most of their nutrition from protein and fats. Due to a dietary excess of carbohydrates, many dogs suffer from health issues like diabetes and obesity.
If your dog is suffering from diabetes, it is best to avoid giving him cream cheese. Most commercial brands of cream cheese include a high amount of sugar, which can cause a blood sugar spike for dogs suffering from diabetes. Additionally, the rich fat content can also be difficult to break down.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a condition that involves the inflammation of the pancreas in dogs. It can present as an episode of acute pancreatitis or recurrent bouts of inflammation called chronic pancreatitis. It can also cause digestive enzymes from the pancreas to enter the abdominal cavity, affecting other organs such as the liver and gall bladder.
Although the exact cause of pancreatitis is unknown, it can occur after consuming a fatty meal. Symptoms of pancreatitis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, fever, diarrhea, and decreased appetite.
If your dog suffers from pancreatitis, you should avoid feeding him cream cheese. The high-fat content can further aggravate the pancreas and worsen existing inflammation.
Harmful Ingredients In Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is not toxic to your pet but can contain some harmful ingredients. At times, the addition of these ingredients can also make cream cheese toxic for your pet. When feeding cream cheese to your pet, always do so in moderation. Avoid feeding your pet cream cheese if it contains the following ingredients:
Sodium
Unlike humans, dogs do not need much sodium in their diet. An excess of sodium can harm your pet and cause health issues. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), dog food should contain 0.3% sodium. A higher intake can cause excessive thirst and urination. It can also aggravate dogs’ kidney, heart, or liver diseases. If you are feeding your dog cream cheese, ensure it does not contain too much sodium.
Sweeteners
Some types of cream cheese may contain sugar or artificial sweeteners. While sugar isn’t toxic to dogs, artificial sweeteners such as Xylitol are. Consuming an excess of sweetened cream cheese can cause digestive upset since it affects your dog’s gut bacteria. Be careful not to feed your dog much-sweetened cream cheese, and avoid it altogether if it contains Xylitol. If you have sugar-free cream cheese, it may contain Xylitol, so be sure before feeding it to your pet.
Artificial Additives
Many commercial brands of cream cheese may contain artificial additives such as preservatives. Some of these additives improve the product’s consistency, while others increase its shelf life. These artificial additives are harmful to you and can be toxic to your pet.
Allium Vegetables
Allium vegetables include onions, leeks, chives, and garlic, and they are common in some types of savory cream cheeses. These vegetables are toxic to dogs since they contain thiosulfate.
This chemical can cause hemolytic anemia in dogs, a condition where the body destroys its blood cells. If you want to feed your dog cream cheese, avoid purchasing cream cheese that contains onions, garlic, or chives.
Spices
Some forms of cream cheese may contain spices such as cayenne pepper, dill, and parsley. Some spices are safe for dogs to eat, but others can be toxic. Even safe spices can cause digestive upset in large quantities.
Conclusion
Cream cheese can be a healthy treat for your pet if given in moderation. However, you should avoid feeding your pet cream cheese if it suffers from lactose intolerance, diabetes, or pancreatitis. Certain ingredients in cream cheese can also be harmful or toxic to your dog. Being mindful of these factors, you can occasionally feed your pet cream cheese.
