Can French Bulldogs Eat Cheese?

If you’ve interacted with a French Bulldog, you know they’re the most adorably wrinkly creatures on this planet.

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Naturally, as food-lovers — and dog owners, you’d wonder: “Can my pooch eat cheese?”

It’s hard to be mad at a little Frenchie with a big cheesy grin, but feeding them too much cheese is dangerous.

So, can French bulldogs eat cheese?

Yes, cheese is an excellent source of calcium and protein essential for French bulldogs.

The high-fat content in cheese can cause digestive distress in dogs; thus, moderation is vital.

In addition, some French bulldogs may be intolerant to the milk in cheese, so, better avoided.

Consult your vet before indulging since a French bulldog’s diet needs to be carefully monitored.

If you’ve discovered this article, you’re probably wondering if your French Bulldog can eat cheese.

Luckily we’ll guide you through.

French bulldogs can eat cheese. But should they?

There are some things to know about your French bulldog before deciding whether they can eat cheese or not.

First, do they have any allergies or sensitivities?

If so, cheese may be an issue for them.

Secondly, how old are they?

If your dog is still growing, it’s best to avoid giving them a lot of dairy products since it may cause stomach issues.

Finally, what kind of cheese are you thinking about feeding them?

Avoid it if it’s something high in fat and low in protein.

As long as your Frenchie is healthy and has no allergies or sensitivities to dairy products,—they can eat cheese!

Just ensure it’s a high-quality kind with low levels of saturated fat and high protein content (such as mozzarella).

What makes cheese good for French Bulldogs? Nutritional benefits

Cheese can be a great addition to your French bulldogs’ diet for its richness in proteins, calcium, essential fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins.

As mentioned above, that depends on your dog.

Vitamins rich

Cheese contains a fair amount of B-complex vitamins, which support cell health, increasing blood flow and energy production.

Vitamin A aids with vision and also improves immune system functioning.

Calcium-rich

Cheese is loaded with calcium that supports bone growth and strong muscles in French bulldogs, particularly younger puppies.

Calcium is also great for cell growth and development in French bulldogs.

High-quality proteins

Cheese contains high levels of proteins necessary for your French bulldogs’ proper functioning.

It contributes to healthy hair, coat, muscle development, and tissue repair.

Fatty acids

Cheese contains different fatty acids that aid in maintaining healthy skin, promoting cell growth, and improving the immune system’s functioning in Frenchies.

Is cheese bad for French bulldogs? Health risks

Although cheese is safe for French bulldogs, there are precautions to consider.

High-fat content

Low-fat cheese is ok for your dog’s diet.

However, the increased fat levels in most cheese can lead to obesity and pancreatitis if consumed regularly.

Pancreatitis is caused by too much inflammation of the pancreas and can be fatal.

Lactose intolerance

Cheese contains dairy, which is difficult for most dogs to digest.

Puppies have adequate lactase during breastfeeding, making it easier to digest lactose, but its production decreases as they wean off and transition to solid food.

Conversely, adult dogs lack the enzyme lactase, which aids in breaking down the protein in milk (lactose) for easy digestion.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance in dogs include; vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal discomfort.

What type of cheese is best for French bulldogs?

If you want your Frenchie to stay healthy, maintain a low-fat, low-sodium diet, and regulate what they eat cautiously.

Therefore, pick cheese varieties with moderate dairy, fat, and salt content when you want to feed them.

Such cheese includes;

Cheddar cheese
Swiss cheese
Monterey cheese
Mozzarella cheese
Cottage cheese

Cheese to avoid feeding your French bulldogs

Blue-veined cheese contains high fats and toxins lethal for your French bulldogs. In addition, this cheese has high sodium levels that would likely cause toxicity, therefore, avoid feeding it to your dog.

Cheese with flavorings – cheese like Havarti contains herbs and spices for flavor enhancement. These additives are toxic to your French bulldogs and can cause stomach upsets and toxicity.

Brie, Feta, and Goat cheeses – These types are lethal due to the insanely high levels of saturated fats, potentially hazardous to French bulldogs. Excess amounts of this fat could cause pancreatitis, which is severe for Frenchies.

How to safely feed your French bulldog cheese

Plain cheese

Choose cheese with fewer or no additives (nearly impossible with store-bought cheese).

Opt for low-sodium cheese; although plain, your dogs will enjoy it without danger.

Moderation is key

Don’t feed your dog large chunks often.

Ensure the fragments are bite-size and only provide them as special treats occasionally.

A build-up of the sodium and fat content in cheese may lead to chronic diseases dangerous for your Frenchie.

Treats should never take up more than 10% of your dog’s diet.

Low-fat cheese

Buy cheese with the lowest possible fat content and feed your Frenchies in small quantities.

What should I do if my French bulldog overeats cheese?

First, check the type of cheese consumed.

If your dog eats dog-safe cheese in large amounts, it may experience stomach upsets.

Depending on the dog’s size, weight, and pre existing medical condition, the symptoms may be mild or severe.

Most will subdue with time.

On the flip side, if your Frenchie ate large amounts of cheese with high sodium or fat content, there is a problem.

High fat will cause gastrointestinal discomfort leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and worst-case pancreatitis in the long run.

Increased sodium levels could lead to sodium poisoning, which manifests as dehydration, lethargy, and seizures.

Contact your vet immediately if you spot these signs in your French bulldog.

To wrap it up

In general, cheese is a good source of protein and calcium for your French bulldog, but you must consider some precautions.

Pick the right cheese with low-fat, low-sodium, and moderate lactose to benefit your Frenchie health-wise.

Are you looking for a specific type of cheese to share with your furry pal?

Try cottage, mozzarella, or cheddar.

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Megan Turner

Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.

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