Dairy
Can dogs have dairy?
Adult dogs digest lactose poorly. Which dairy products are fine and which cause diarrhoea.
At a glance
| Food | Verdict | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Cheese | In moderation | Yes, cheese can be an occasional reward for dogs, ideally a hard, lower-fat variety in small amounts. Because of its fat, salt, and lactose content, though, it should not be a regular part of the diet. |
| Cottage cheese | In moderation | Yes, cottage cheese is one of the most easily digested dairy products for dogs. It's low in lactose and high in protein. |
| Kefir | In moderation | Yes, plain kefir is low in lactose and rich in probiotic cultures, making it easy for most dogs to digest. In small amounts, it can even be given fairly regularly as a dietary supplement. |
| Yogurt | In moderation | Yes, plain yogurt with no added sugar or flavoring can be given to dogs in small amounts as a source of probiotics and calcium, but because of the lactose and the risk of xylitol in flavored versions, keep it occasional and always plain. |
| Butter | No | No, butter isn't recommended for dogs. It's almost pure fat with no useful nutrients to speak of, and even a small amount can cause digestive upset or contribute to pancreatitis in sensitive dogs. |
| Cream | No | No, cream is not recommended for dogs. Like butter, it is a very high-fat dairy product that easily causes digestive upset and raises the risk of pancreatitis. |
| Milk | No | No, cow's milk isn't recommended for adult dogs. Most are at least somewhat lactose intolerant, and milk often causes diarrhea and bloating without offering any nutritional benefit that couldn't be gotten elsewhere. |
In detail
Can dogs eat cheese?
Yes, cheese can be an occasional reward for dogs, ideally a hard, lower-fat variety in small amounts. Because of its fat, salt, and lactose content, though, it should not be a regular part of the diet.
Can dogs eat cottage cheese?
Yes, cottage cheese is one of the most easily digested dairy products for dogs. It's low in lactose and high in protein. Even so, it should stay an occasional addition to the diet, not a regular part of it.
Can dogs eat kefir?
Yes, plain kefir is low in lactose and rich in probiotic cultures, making it easy for most dogs to digest. In small amounts, it can even be given fairly regularly as a dietary supplement.
Can dogs eat yogurt?
Yes, plain yogurt with no added sugar or flavoring can be given to dogs in small amounts as a source of probiotics and calcium, but because of the lactose and the risk of xylitol in flavored versions, keep it occasional and always plain.
Can dogs eat butter?
No, butter isn't recommended for dogs. It's almost pure fat with no useful nutrients to speak of, and even a small amount can cause digestive upset or contribute to pancreatitis in sensitive dogs.
Can dogs eat cream?
No, cream is not recommended for dogs. Like butter, it is a very high-fat dairy product that easily causes digestive upset and raises the risk of pancreatitis.
Can dogs eat milk?
No, cow's milk isn't recommended for adult dogs. Most are at least somewhat lactose intolerant, and milk often causes diarrhea and bloating without offering any nutritional benefit that couldn't be gotten elsewhere.
Key: Yes, safe · Yes, in moderation · No, better avoided · Dangerous, never.