Can Dogs Eat Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan cheese is so tasty grated over pasta and stirred into stews it’s difficult to put the grater down. Rest assured it’s not just you enjoying the smell, your dog is too. Dogs universally love cheese! Dogs that would let a burglar step over them race to attention when a cheese wrapper rustles on the other side of the house, but should they be eating it? More specifically can dogs eat Parmesan cheese safely?

Let’s take a look at the benefits and risks to uncover if dogs can indulge in a bit of Parmesan too.

Is Parmesan Cheese Safe for Dogs?

Parmesan cheese is safe for dogs to eat in very small amounts if they don’t have lactose intolerance, but it has a lot of fat and is very high in salt compared to other cheeses like cottage cheese, so it isn’t a healthy option.

A little bit isn’t toxic, but there are much healthier alternatives if you want to treat your dog like sliced apples or blueberries. Granted, your dog would rather have the cheese so you may have to go full stealth mode on pasta night so they don’t get ill or make you feel guilty.

What Is Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan, “the king of cheeses”, is a hard cheese made from cow milk, salt, bacteria cultures, and rennet, then aged for a year. Its full name is Parmigiano Reggiano and it’s named after two protected designations of origin (PDO) regions in Italy.

Other regions can make this hard cheese too, but they can’t legally call it Parmigiano Reggiano.

Parmesan is a popular grated accompaniment on pasta and risotto and the hard rind produces rich flavors when it’s simmered in soups and casseroles. In 2017 3.6 million wheels of Parmesan were made in Italy for worldwide distribution. It’s come a long way from its Middle Ages origins!

It was mentioned in 1348 by Boccaccio in Decameron and in his memoir of the Great Fire of London in 1666 Samuel Pepys recorded burying his Parmesan cheese along with wine to preserve them! And who could blame him?

Health Benefits of Parmesan Cheese

Cheese is fatty, but it does have a few health benefits:

• Calcium – Important for strong teeth, nails, and bones.
• Protein – Helps build strong muscles.
• Vitamin A – Boosts eyesight and helps convert food into energy.
• Magnesium – Supports nerve and muscle functions.
• Potassium – Helps maintain fluid levels in cells.

However, Parmesan is so high in salt and fat that the risks really outweigh any health benefits for dogs.

The Risks of Parmesan Cheese for Dogs

Whilst Parmesan cheese isn’t toxic to dogs, it contains a number of risks that can make your dog unwell in the short and long term. Let’s start with its salt content.

It’s High in Salt

Salt has always been used in Parmesan as a preservative and it gives it that tangy flavor. Because of the aging process, the salt levels in Parmesan are higher than in other cheeses.

Salt is a concern for dogs because too much can lead to high blood pressure and in turn, high pressure can cause detached retinas, heart conditions, and liver or kidney damage.

Hypertension can be managed with medication, but it’s best avoided in the first place by avoiding salty food and keeping your dog to a healthy weight for its breed.

If your dog already has liver or kidney disease, a heart condition, or high blood pressure, then Parmesan can worsen their symptoms and make them very poorly.

It’s High in Fat

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 56% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. Weight gain in dogs is totally avoidable but sadly it’s common and causes limiting diseases like mobility problems, diabetes, cancer, and pancreatitis. The ASPCA recommends that treat foods make up just 10% of a dog’s daily allowance and the other 90% complete dog food.

Parmesan is high in fat and contributes to weight gain but it’s also a trigger for pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is a disease of the pancreas. It’s triggered by fatty, oily foods and is very painful because the inflamed pancreas releases food-digesting enzymes when there’s no food present. The enzymes then attack the pancreas and attempt to digest it.

Pancreatitis needs pain relief, anti-nausea medication, and sometimes antibiotics, so it’s a big hit on your purse. Worse still, it’s a reoccurring condition.

Lactose Intolerance

Even though Parmesan is lower in lactose than other cheeses, it can still trigger symptoms in lactose-sensitive dogs.

The symptoms of lactose intolerance are:

• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Stomach ache
• Flatulence
• Bloating

If your dog has a lactose intolerance you will need to stop giving them milk, cheese, yogurt, cream, ice cream, and butter.

Choking Hazard

Parmesan is a hard cheese and it can be a struggle to even cut a slice with a knife. This means it can choke dogs, especially small dogs or dogs with dental problems. Another issue is stolen Parmesan they’re trying to swallow before you spot them. A big lump of that can easily get lodged in their throat.

What Should I Do if My Dog Stole Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan cheese is not supposed to be eaten in large amounts, as it’s a topper for other dishes, so if your dog ate a block of it, he might develop salt toxicity.

The symptoms can occur several hours after they’ve ingested salt and they include diarrhea, weakness, muscle tremors, and seizures. It’s important to keep an eye on them for a few days just in case salt poisoning occurs.

If it was only a small piece or a few grated flakes, it’s unlikely to do them any harm.

What About Other Types of Cheese?

Although it’s not recommended, small amounts of Parmesan won’t poison your dog, but what about other types of cheese?

Bleu: Blue cheese including Stilton, Roquefort, and any cheese where you spot the telltale blue mold veining is toxic to dogs. It’s the fungus Roquefort C that can cause diarrhea, tremors, vomiting, and collapse.

Soft: Soft cheese like mozzarella and cottage cheese are safe in small amounts, but going overboard might trigger pancreatitis so small portions only! It’s a good food to use with a puzzle toy. Just smear a small amount inside a Kong or similar and it’ll keep Lassie entertained for hours.

Cheddar: Cheddar is also safe in small amounts and a really great training aid for food-motivated dogs.

Cheese with extras: Be very cautious around cheese with extras, because some of the ingredients might be toxic. Cheese with garlic or onion isn’t suitable because the allium family of onions is toxic.  

What Should I Do if My Dog Stole Cheese?

Cheese is a number one snaffle target for dogs. They just can’t resist the smell!

What you do about cheese theft depends on the type of cheese they took. If it was infused with toxic ingredients (see our list below) monitor them closely and call a vet for advice if you’re concerned.

Excess cheese can trigger pancreatitis as we’ve seen, and create an upset stomach of violent proportions! Be prepared for flatulence especially if your dog is lactose intolerant. Gastric upsets that last more than a day or two can lead to dehydration and are best treated by a vet.  

If your dog pinched lots of hard cheese, then salt poisoning could be an issue. They may develop an excess thirst, upset stomach, or even tremors and collapse over the following few hours. Vet advice is needed quickly if they’re showing signs of salt toxicity.

What Food Is Poisonous to Dogs?

Dog-toxic foods include chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, nutmeg, any type of alcohol, avocado, onions, and garlic.

Will Parmesan Cheese Poison My Dog?

A small bit of Parmesan cheese now and then is unlikely to harm your dog unless they have a sensitive lactose intolerance. The problems occur when they eat a large amount or eat Parmesan on a regular basis. It’s just too salty and fatty for a regular treat.

Stick to the safe side and only offer your dog small amounts of plain cottage or cheddar cheese on occasion to avoid any cheese-related problems. Keep the Parmesan for your pasta.

Up Next…

• Can Dogs Eat Cheese? What Are The Risks?
• Can Dogs Eat Cottage Cheese? Is it Healthy?
• Can Dogs Eat Macaroni and Cheese Safely? No, and Here’s Why.

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