Conditions apply

Can dogs eat cheese?

Most dogs handle small amounts of plain cheese, and it makes an excellent training treat. Blue cheese is the exception and should be avoided entirely.

If your dog reacts badly

Call a vet for blue cheese. For ordinary cheese, no action needed.

Signs to watch for

loose stools and wind (plain cheese, in quantity)
tremors, twitching, seizures (blue cheese)

When: Blue cheese tremors within 30 minutes to 2 hours.

What makes it harmful

Roquefortine C in blue-veined cheeses

Cheese is high in fat and salt, and most adult dogs have limited lactase, so quantity causes loose stools. Blue cheeses are a distinct problem: the Penicillium roqueforti mould produces roquefortine C, which causes tremors and seizures.

How much matters

Blue cheese: roughly 0.5 g/kg of the mould-affected cheese can cause tremors. Plain cheese has no toxic dose, only a calorie and fat problem.

How to prepare it

Plain, low-fat, unseasoned. Cottage cheese and mozzarella are gentler choices than mature hard cheeses.

Never in this form

Blue cheese — Stilton, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Danish Blue.

Portion

Cheddar runs about 400 kcal per 100 g. A 2 cm cube is around 70 kcal — already over the daily treat allowance for a small dog.

Also check for

blue veining
garlic or onion in flavoured cheese

How confident is this

established

Well established in the veterinary literature and consistent across sources.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Pet Poison Helpline

Check another food

Informational only, and not a substitute for veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and this page cannot account for your dog's age, size, health conditions or medication. If you are worried, phone a vet — that call is always the right call.