Cheese can be a tasty snack, topping, and sometimes even meal, but can we share cheese with our dogs? More specifically, can huskies eat cheese?
Yes, huskies can eat cheese if they can tolerate dairy products. Some dogs have lactose intolerance or specific intolerances for cheese. If your husky is one of those dogs, then it’s best not to feed them any cheese, but in general, cheese can be given to your husky in moderation.
As you can see, it’s not exactly a clear cut as you may think, so let’s take a deeper look.
Is cheese good for Huskies?
Cheese can be healthy for huskies and other dogs. Cheese contains protein, calcium, vitamin A, essential fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins.
Apart from the nutrients in cheese, it’s also often very well accepted by dogs and can be a tasty treat for training purposes or to feed your husky medicine if they’re being difficult.
While cheese can be healthy for huskies, you still want to only give them cheese in moderation.
How much cheese is OK for huskies?
Like we said, cheese is generally OK for huskies and other dogs in moderation. How much and how often you give your dog cheese will depend on what kind of cheese it is, how old the dog is, and whether or not the dog has any pre-existing health conditions that can be exacerbated by eating cheese.
Generally speaking though, if your husky tolerates cheese, then you shouldn’t feed it any more than 10 percent of their daily calory intake.
1 slice of cheese is approx. 30g and equals about 120 calories, so if your husky needs 1500 calories per day, then that 30g should be ok if they get no other treats throughout the day.
You still however want to avoid feeding them too much cheese on a daily basis, and cheese should never be used as a meal replacement or substitute for a balanced diet.
Regarding the specific dietary needs of your husky, you should always consult your veterinarian as they can advise you on the specific needs of your dog.
What cheese can Huskies not eat?
Cheeses come in many forms, ages, and consistencies, and not all forms of cheese are suitable for your husky.
You should avoid feeding your husky:
- Blue cheeses, like Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and Stilton
- Cheeses with herbs, garlic, raisins, or other flavors
- Goat cheese
- Brie or Feta
Cheeses with herbs, garlic, raisins, and other flavors are not healthy for huskies. Raisins are very toxic for dogs as well as garlic, and additional flavors can be dangerous for your pooch as well.
Blue cheeses should be avoided as they also can contain a toxin for dogs known as roquefortine. This can be potentially lethal for your husky, so stay away from blue cheeses.
Cheeses like goat cheese, brie, and feta, all contain high levels of saturated fat which can lead to obesity and other health problems, like life-threatening pancreatitis.
What kind of cheese can huskies eat?
Now that you know what cheeses to avoid, what kind of cheeses can your husky actually eat?
- Cheddar cheese
- Swiss cheese
- Mozzarella
- Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a great choice as compared to other cheeses, it’s lower in fat and sodium, which helps reduce the risk of obesity.
This cheese is also lower in lactose, which can also reduce the possibility of intestinal upset.
Once again though, if your dog does tolerate milk products, then these cheeses also should not be fed to them and you should consult your veterinarian.
Can huskies eat processed cheese?
No, don’t give your husky processed cheese.
While they may not be “unhealthy” per se, they lack any nutritional value and can have additional ingredients added like colorants and flavorants that can be unhealthy for your husky.
Can my husky eat cheesecake?
While small amounts of cheesecake are fine for your husky, it’s not a healthy treat for your pooch as there are high amounts of fats, sugars, and dairy products.
These treats may be great for humans, but the high number of calories is not good for your husky’s diet.
Can huskies eat cream cheese?
Cream cheeses with added extras like chives, garlic, or onions are not healthy for your husky and you should not feed them it.
Generally speaking, a little bit of plain cream cheese is fine if your husky manages to get their paws on it, but as it’s high in fats, this is another type of cheese you should rather avoid.
Final thoughts on huskies eating cheese
Cheese can be a great treat for training and when they’re being fussy regarding taking their medication, but as with most other foods, like bananas and peanut butter, you should only feed your husky cheese within moderation.
It’s best to try and avoid feeding them too much cheese as it contains high amounts of fat and carbs which can lead to obesity.
While some kinds of cheeses are ok for your husky, like cheddar or mozzarella, others like blue cheese aren’t safe, so make sure to check before giving them any kind of cheese.
