Many people are aware that dairy, or at least most of the dairy derivative products are either unhealthy or toxic for our pets. Regardless of toxicity, dairy tends to be high in calories and can contribute to your dog’s weight gain.
Imagine your family is enjoying bagels and cream cheese one day, and your dog suddenly snatches a cream cheese loaded bagel off of the table. What now?
A question we would ask here is, can dogs eat cream cheese?
In this article we will detail whether cream cheese is safe for dogs. Additionally we will go over any healthy benefits and/or harmful effects it poses to our dogs health.
Can Dogs Eat Cream Cheese?
The short answer is yes; Dogs can absolutely eat cream cheese. Cream cheese is non-toxic for dogs. And, despite being dairy, is surprisingly safe for our dogs to eat. As a matter of fact, cream cheese contains a number of benefits for dogs. That said, as you’ll see below, it’s not a great food to include in your dog’s regular diet.
What are the Benefits of Cream Cheese for Dogs?
Cream cheese is rich in certain minerals and vitamins. It is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, essential fatty acids, and calcium.
Vitamin A can help prevent medical conditions caused by irregular blood sugar levels. And cream cheese contains Vitamin A. Cream cheese is also rich in Calcium which helps in the development of bones and teeth.
In addition to that, cream cheese also contains protein. Protein is an essential nutrient that can contribute to muscle development and tissue repair in dogs. However, not all the time or not all kinds of cream cheese are healthy and good for dogs.
Health Precautions To Take When It Comes To Dogs and Cream Cheese
First off, cream cheese is not a natural food in dogs’ diets, and has not been one they have evolved to eat and process. Nor is it an essential food for them. Sometimes, over-processed cream cheese contains high amounts of sugar.
Overfeeding this spread to them may create blood sugar problems or even onset diabetes. Cream cheese also has a high fat content. That, coupled with its high sugar content, could be a contributor to long-term obesity issues.
To add to that, cream cheese is a dairy product. So this food is definitely a no-no for lactose intolerant dogs. Feeding cream cheese to lactose intolerant dogs can cause an upset stomach. So, if you plan to feed your dog cream cheese, feed them only small amounts of it.
And if you can, try sticking with low-fat cream cheese. When it comes to cream cheese, the risks outweigh the benefits.
Overall, despite its benefits, cream cheese is still not a recommended food for them. There are alternative treats and options. So if your dog happens to score that bagel and cream cheese off your table, do not fear! Nothing bad should occur, just try not to make it a daily practice for them.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
In the next articles, find out Can Dogs Eat Dates?
