We all love our dogs. Wouldnt it be ideal if we can maintain their health so that they can outlive the breed life expectancy for at least 4 or 5 more years? A pet parent has the responsibility of providing the right amount and the right kind of food that will ensure the pets health. In the same manner, it is imperative for any pet parent to know the list of human foods that would have dangerous effects on the pet. We dog owners have the inclination to share whatever we are eating with the pet. It is generally believed that food that is good for us must be good for the dogs as well. A dogs taste in food is not very different from humans. Look how they would hang by the dining table, whine and look pleadingly at family members to get a piece of whatever the family is eating. Dogs love human food more than they love their kibble. And who can blame them! Unfortunately, some human foods have dangerous effects on the dog. Who would ever think that innocuous grapes and raisins have lethal effects on the dog?
One of the human foods that dogs love to eat is cheese. My dog loves cheese. Saver would beg for a piece every time he smells or sees one. You would think that this German Shepherd Dog is a super giant orange colored mouse. Dogs really are just like kids! Mine would eat cheese as if it is a candy. Fortunately, cheese is not on the Humane Societys list of dangerous human foods for dogs.
Cheese is a well appreciated treat. Many dog owners would use small pieces of cheese as treats in training the dog. Dogs love cheese and you can practically see their faces light up whenever you open the hand holding the treat. This human food is as well used in medicating dogs. Cheese is a great way of masking pills. A pill hidden inside a chunk of cheese will be gobbled instantly by the dog. Cheese makes great Kong toy filler. With the Kong, a dog that is left alone at home all day will be prevented from being destructive. Cheese is not poisonous to dogs. Giving this human food to the dog though must be done in moderation. Cheese after all is a dairy product. It is also very high in saturated fat. The fat content would not be good for the dog. Too much cheese in the dogs diet can cause constipation.
Due to the lifestyle of modern day dogs, obesity has become a common canine problem. A roly-poly dog that waddles behind the kids can be an amusing sight. Obesity though can lead to kidney and liver diseases, immune diseases and other health concerns that can have a significant impact on the quality of life of the pet. These diseases can also result to the death of the dog. An owner can prevent pet obesity by being careful with the kind of food that is given to the dog. Cheese is one of the culprits that can make a dog obese. Cheese is a dairy product. Dogs with lactose intolerance must not have milk, cheese and other dairy products in the diet. Allowing the dog to eat large amounts of cheese can trigger an inflammation of the colon. The dog can develop a condition known as colitis. If your dog is one of the breed that have problems with gas, you better make the dog stay away from cheese. Regular consumption of cheese will make the dog regularly detonate smelly bombs.
Dog experts would tell us that cheese is good for the dog. However, it would be up to us pet parents to make sure that this treat is given to the dog in moderation.
What to do if your dog eats chocolate?