Quick Answer
It’s generally not recommended to add Parmesan cheese to your dog’s food regularly, but small amounts occasionally won’t hurt. Parmesan cheese is high in fat, so too much can lead to weight gain or upset your dog’s stomach. Check with your vet before making any major dietary changes.
Can Dogs Eat Parmesan Cheese?
Yes, dogs can eat small amounts of Parmesan cheese as an occasional treat. Parmesan is not toxic to dogs and is unlikely to cause serious problems if consumed in moderation.
However, there are some potential downsides to feeding your dog too much Parmesan cheese:
It’s high in fat
Parmesan cheese is very high in fat, providing 334 calories and 28 grams of fat per 1 ounce (28 grams) serving. For comparison, the same amount of cheddar cheese contains 114 calories and 9 grams of fat (1).
Too much fat can lead to obesity and pancreatitis in dogs. Obese dogs have a higher risk of joint problems, breathing difficulties, diabetes and certain cancers (2).
Pancreatitis is a painful inflammation of the pancreas that can be life-threatening. High-fat foods are a common trigger for pancreatitis in dogs (3).
It’s high in sodium
Parmesan cheese contains 680 mg of sodium per ounce (28 grams) — more than three times the amount in cheddar cheese (4).
Too much sodium can increase your dog’s blood pressure and lead to sodium ion poisoning when consumed in extremely high amounts (5, 6).
It may cause digestive upset
Since Parmesan is high in fat, dogs unaccustomed to it may experience stomach upset, gas or diarrhea when given Parmesan cheese.
These side effects are usually mild but can result in vomiting or loose stool in sensitive dogs.
Risk of weight gain
The high fat and calorie content mean Parmesan cheese could lead to weight gain if fed frequently or in large amounts.
Obesity is a growing problem in dogs and can lead to many health issues. It’s best to limit high-calorie treats (7).
Healthier Cheese Options
While Parmesan cheese is not toxic to dogs, it does pose some health risks if fed in large amounts.
If you want to give your dog cheese as an occasional treat, you may want to choose a lower fat variety, such as:
- Cheddar cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Feta cheese
These cheeses have significantly less fat and sodium per serving than Parmesan. Cottage cheese is also a good source of protein.
Just be sure to double check that the cheese doesn’t contain any sweeteners or seasonings before feeding it to your dog.
Can I Put Parmesan Cheese on My Dog’s Food?
It’s generally not a good idea to regularly mix Parmesan cheese into your dog’s meals.
While the occasional sprinkle won’t harm your dog, making it a daily habit can promote weight gain and other problems due to the high fat and sodium content.
You’re better off using dog-friendly seasonings like brewer’s yeast, pumpkin puree or bone broth to jazz up your pup’s diet.
If you really want to use cheese, a small amount of grated low-fat mozzarella or cheddar is a better choice than Parmesan.
How Much Parmesan Cheese Can Dogs Eat?
There’s no official guideline for how much Parmesan dogs can eat safely. But it’s best to limit high-fat cheeses to no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake (8).
For a 50-pound dog consuming 1,000 calories per day, 10% would equal just 2–3 teaspoons of grated Parmesan cheese.
Any more than that could lead to weight gain or GI upset, especially if given frequently. It’s best reserved for occasional small treats.
Signs of Parmesan Cheese Poisoning in Dogs
Parmesan is very unlikely to poison dogs when given in small amounts as the rare, occasional treat.
Signs of poisoning could occur if your dog ate a very large quantity, such as an entire block of cheese.
Possible symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Pancreatitis
- Gas or bloating
- Increased thirst or urination
- Lethargy
- Shaking
If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms after eating Parmesan cheese, contact your vet right away. Pancreatitis in particular can become life-threatening without prompt treatment (9).
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Too Much Parmesan
Here are some steps to take if you think your dog ate too much Parmesan cheese:
- Stay calm. Most cases only cause minor stomach upset.
- Check the package to estimate how much they ate.
- Call your vet or an emergency vet clinic immediately.
- Bring a sample of the cheese with you to the vet.
- Induce vomiting only if instructed by your vet.
- Monitor your dog for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy.
- Take your dog to the vet if symptoms persist more than 24 hours.
Treatment will depend on the amount consumed and your dog’s symptoms. Your vet may recommend:
- IV fluids
- Anti-nausea medication
- GI protectants
- Low-fat diet
- Pancreatic enzymes or insulin if pancreatitis occurs
With prompt vet care, most dogs recover fully after eating too much Parmesan cheese. Try to prevent it from happening again by keeping cheeses safely out of your dog’s reach.
Can Puppies Eat Parmesan Cheese?
It’s best to avoid feeding Parmesan cheese to puppies under 12 weeks old.
Puppies have developing digestive systems and are prone to stomach upsets. High-fat cheeses like Parmesan are harder for puppies to digest (10).
If you want to give your puppy a cheese treat, choose a low-fat variety like mozzarella. Give just a small piece, about the size of your fingernail.
And introduce it slowly along with their regular puppy food to monitor for any signs of GI distress.
Can Dogs Eat Parmesan Cheese Rinds?
It’s best not to feed hard Parmesan rinds to dogs. The tough, dried rinds take longer to digest and can potentially cause:
- Intestinal blockages
- Dental damage from chewing
- Mouth or gastrointestinal cuts
If you want to give your dog a taste of Parmesan, stick to small amounts of the soft inner cheese. Avoid the outer hard rind altogether.
Can Dogs Eat Parmesan Cheese Every Day?
Feeding your dog Parmesan cheese every day is not recommended. While the occasional small sprinkle won’t harm your dog, daily portions can lead to:
- Weight gain
- Nutrient imbalance
- High blood pressure
- Upset stomach
Your dog’s regular food already provides all the nutrition they need when fed appropriately. Parmesan and other cheeses should only account for around 10% of your dog’s calories.
For treats, choose healthy options like carrots, apples or peanut butter. Save high-fat cheeses like Parmesan for special occasions in very small amounts.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key points to remember about feeding Parmesan cheese to dogs:
- Parmesan is safe for dogs in small amounts but very high in fat and sodium.
- Too much can lead to obesity, pancreatitis, digestive issues or sodium poisoning.
- Limit Parmesan to less than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.
- Low-fat cheeses like mozzarella and cheddar are healthier options.
- Avoid feeding Parmesan rinds, which are hard to digest.
- Puppies, seniors and dogs with health issues may tolerate Parmesan poorly.
- Save Parmesan for occasional small treats, not daily meals.
Check with your vet before making any significant changes to your dog’s diet. With some common sense precautions, you can safely let your dog enjoy a little taste of Parmesan as a rare treat.
The bottom line
Small amounts of Parmesan cheese are unlikely to harm healthy dogs. But it’s very high in fat and sodium, so daily use or large portions can cause problems. For a healthy cheese treat, choose lower fat varieties like mozzarella and cheddar instead. Save Parmesan for special occasions and make sure your dog’s overall diet is balanced.
References
- USDA FoodData Central. Parmesan cheese.
- German AJ. The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. J Nutr. 2006;136(7):1940S-1946S.
- Xenoulis PG, Steiner JM. Canine and feline pancreatitis: it’s getting complicated! Vet Med (Auckl). 2015;6:157-171.
- USDA FoodData Central. Cheddar cheese.
- Robertson JE. Canine hypertension. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1998;28(6):1561-1582.
- Rousseaux CG, Smith RA, Nicholson S. Acute sodium ion toxicosis in dogs: 119 cases (1989-1996). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996;208(11):1886-1889.
- German AJ. The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. J Nutr. 2006;136(7):1940S-1946S.
- Laflamme D. Development and validation of a body condition score system for dogs. Canine Practice. 1997;22:10-15.
- Mansfield C. Acute pancreatitis in dogs: advances in understanding, diagnostics, and treatment. Top Companion Anim Med. 2012;27(3):123-132.
- Bauer JE. Facultative intestinal anaerobes of the dog and cat: a review. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1998;34(4):339-347.