Do you want to twist your dog with parmesan cheese? You may offer your dog a piece of pasta with parmesan cheese from your plate, but the question in your mind is ‘Can dogs have parmesan cheese’. Many dog owners are worried about giving her dog a parmesan cheese.
The sodium content in parmesan cheese makes it good, but it is safe only if you give it in a small amount for your dog, because parmesan cheese contains small amount of lactose. The dog’s body has no lactase enzyme that works to digest the lactase enzyme, if you give it in a large quantity it is harmful for your dog. If your dog is lactose-intolerant, avoid your dog from eating any kind of cheese. If your dog doesn’t have lactose intolerance avoid giving any type of milk products. It has a lot of fat and a high quantity of salt as compared to other cheese.
What is parmesan cheese?
Parmesan is a hard, aged cheese meaning it is low in lactose as compared to softer cheese such as mozzarella and brie. Parmesan cheese originated from the Reggio Emilia Parma region of Italy. It is higher in sodium than non-aged cheeses, because it’s aged up to 12 months. True parmesan cheese is also called Parmigiano-Reggiano in the United States. Parmesan ‘the king of cheeses’ made up of cow milk, salt, bacteria cultures and rennet. In Italy 3.6 millions wheels of parmesan were made for worldwide distribution in 2017.
Can dogs have parmesan cheese?
Dogs love parmesan cheese and they will be crazy for a small piece of parmesan cheese covered with pasta. Some dog lovers like to sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese on their pup’s food. If your dog is under the weather and does not have much of an appetite but you force it to eat, this can be quite effective. If you were trying to get it to eat something new. But, this is very important to know “Can dogs eat parmesan cheese?”
The answer is yes, if you do not make it a daily routine of the dog. If you give a flake of parmesan cheese as a treat for your dog, this should have no ill effect. During the aging time, the lactose content in the cheese naturally lowers and you are not worried about lactose. To keep in mind, lactose content in parmesan cheese is lower but it’s not lactose-free. The amount of salt in parmesan is very high so if your dog takes it in large amounts it can upset your dog’s tummy. Its fat content is another reason, you should not give your dog parmesan cheese on a regular basis. Lastly, when you buy it from the bakery it is covered with a plastic shaker, it may also contain preservative and anti-caking agents that are not good for your dog.
Is parmesan cheese safe for dogs?
Some dogs are lactose-intolerant meaning they can not digest any kind of dairy product. Parmesan cheese, unlike soft cheeses (mozzarella and brie) contains low levels of lactose. These cheeses may be easier for dogs to digest than others. The important thing is that parmesan cheese is aged cheese that’s why the amount of sodium in parmesan cheese is very high. When parmesan cheese was initially made, salt was the most often utilized for natural preservation. 100 gm cheese contains 1529 gm salt which is very high. The high amount of sodium in parmesan cheese may be dangerous for dogs. The intake of parmesan cheese in a large amount causes severe diseases like heart disease, kidney disease.
Benefits of feeding your dog parmesan cheese
Cheese is fatty, giving your dog cheese, in general, has many health benefits. Parmesan cheese is rich in vitamins and minerals. Dogs require calcium for the upkeep of their bones, strong teeth and nails. Calcium is necessary for the formation of bone in pups and maintenance of bone mass in adult dogs. Calcium is also used for preventing fractures in oldies. Protein helps to build strong muscles. Magnesium supports nerve and muscle functions. Potassium helps to maintain fluid level in cells.
Parmesan cheese is also rich in vitamin A and B12. Vitamin B12 is very useful for the formation of their DNA and it is also used for the prevention of anemia. Vitamin A is very essential for healthy skin, good vision and dense fur for dogs.
Risks of parmesan cheese for dogs
As you can see, there are many health benefits of parmesan cheese for dogs. Dog’s relationship with cheese is complex. Parmesan cheese is not toxic, but it contains a number of risks that can make your dog unfit.
1. Its high in salt
For preservation and tangy flavor, salt has always been used in parmesan cheese. Because of the aging process, the level of salt in parmesan cheese is higher than other cheeses. The large intake of parmesan cheese can lead to high blood pressure for dogs, high blood pressure can cause detached retinas, heart disease, liver and kidney damage.
Hypertension can be treated with medication, but first of all avoid your dog from eating salty products. Keep your dog to a healthy weight for its breed. If your dog already has the symptoms of these diseases, then parmesan cheese worsen their symptoms and can lead your dog to the death place.
2. Its high in fats
According to the Association for Pets Obesity Prevention, 56% of dogs in the United States are obese. Weight gain in dogs causes limited diseases like mobility problems, diabetes and cancer. Parmesan cheese is high in fat and causes weight gain in dogs but it is also activated for pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis is a disease that is activated by fatty, oily foods and is very painful because the inflamed pancreas releases food-digesting enzymes. This enzyme attacks the pancreas and attempts to digest it. Pancreatitis needs pain relief, medication and sometimes antibiotics, so it’s a big hurt on your purse.
3. Stomach upsets
If your dog consumes a large amount of parmesan cheese, it can cause stomach upset. Furthermore, any new type of food causes many digestive problems in your dog. There are many possible effects that your dog experiences after eating a large amount of parmesan cheese.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Gassiness
- Lack of appetite
- Abdominal pain
4. Choking Hazard
Parmesan is a hard cheese and it can be difficult to cut a slice with a knife. So, it can choke the small dogs with dental problems. Another problem is stolen parmesan cheese, they were trying to consume before you spot them.
CONCLUSION
In the end, parmesan cheese has no possible health benefits, but you can give the dog a treat because of its flavor. Eating a parmesan cheese makes your dog pleased. Before giving your dog parmesan cheese be aware of the sodium and look out for any toxicity and allergies.
If your dog is a lactose-intolerant no need to give any type of dairy product. If your dog is not lactose-intolerant then you can give parmesan cheese in a small amount, because large amounts of parmesan cheese causes many health issues. Before giving any new type of food to your dog, always consult with a veterinarian.
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