It’s hard to resist your dog’s cute, begging face when they want a piece of your cheese and crackers. However, this is a continuous problem that most pet parents or guardians face. Many believe that since dairy products are healthy snacks for humans, they must be good for dogs too. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case.

Everyone may agree that the many types of cheese to choose from adds to the confusion for a lot of pet parents out there. There is minimal evidence that many types of cheese is poisonous to dogs. However, certain cheese types, like blue cheeses in the likes of Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Stilton, can produce a hazardous substance called roquefortine, known to be toxic for dogs.

So, is provolone cheese safe for dogs to eat? Because many dog breeds tend to be lactose intolerant, provolone cheese can cause bloating, gas, vomiting, or even loose stools. Provolone is also made up of a lot of fat, which can be too much for your dog to consume on a regular basis. However, your pet can eat a small amount of provolone as a treat on occasion.

So, now let’s take a closer look at how provolone can figure into your furry friend’s diet and how frequently your dog may consume this type of cheese without being ill.

Can Dogs Consume Cheese?

Cheese is popular all over the world, but when it comes to giving this delicacy to your pet, there are several factors to consider.

As previously stated, you cannot feed blue cheese to your four-legged friend. It’s also not a good idea to feed your dog any type of cheese with condiments or spices like cheese with garlic or herbs.

Also, some cheeses contain preservatives and other chemicals to extend their shelf life. These chemicals can potentially be harmful to your pets, so you should think twice before ever feeding your pet with cheese without first carefully reading the ingredient label.

Many cheese varieties, such as feta, brie, or goat cheese have a high caloric content. Therefore, these types of cheese can cause obesity in your dog if he or she doesn’t get enough exercise.

In addition, many types of cheese are heavy in salt. If your pet has kidney problems, you might as well steer clear from feeding him a lot of cheese.

On the other hand, cheese contains calcium, vitamin A, vital fatty acids, vitamin B-complex, and protein. The amino acids found in protein will help your dog’s skin health and hair growth, muscular development and maintenance, and tissue healing.

Calcium in cheese has numerous health benefits. While vitamin B+ functions as a coenzyme, facilitating metabolic activities that convert carbs into glucose, providing energy to your dog. And the vitamin A present in cheese can help your dog’s skin, muscular, and nerve growth.

Provolone has a low content of carbohydrates. It contains only roughly 0.5 g sugar per ounce. Morever, the way provolone cheese is manufactured removes lactose, leaving only galactose and glucose. So when dogs eat provolone cheese and they will most likely be fine.

Furthermore, there are several provolone choices that are lactose-free on the market which let you feed cheese to your furry friend without worrying about stomach problems or diarrhea.

Considering the many health benefits of feeding specific varieties of cheese to your dog, it makes sense to treat your devoted companion to cheese on occasion. Many expert dog trainers train dogs using firm cheese or those chewy sticks made of cheese.

According to pet parents, giving their animals a delicious treat such as a chewable cheese stick to feed their hunger and relieve boredom works like a charm. Chewey and hard cheese like provolone tend to last longer than soft cheese, giving your dog more time to eat and chew to their delight.

How Much Provolone Should You Feed Your Dog?

When feeding provolone or pretty much any type of cheese to your dog for the very first time, be sure to start out slowly and watch your dog closely.

If your dog does not appear to experience any negative side effects such as tummy issues, bloating, or diarrhea, you may be confident they are fine with a small amount of cheese on occasion.

Try not to make cheesy treats as a regular part of your dog’s diet, no matter how much he enjoys the taste of a provolone cheese stick.

Dogs require low-sodium and low-fat food. But even if you choose a fat-free, sodium-free, and low-calorie provolone cheese, limit your offering to one, or at most, two sticks or cubes each month.

Experts in animal nutrition advise that you should not give your dog treats that represent over 10 percent of the required daily caloric intake.

If your dog weighs roughly 35 pounds, the treats should be limited to less than 35 calories. A single cube or slice of cheese has around 90 calories in it. Even an ounce of low-fat provolone cheese has about 45 calories in it. So, even if you choose low-fat, you still are feeding them a surge of saturated fat that could turn out to be very unhealthy.

Excessive cheese consumption can cause pancreatitis and increase your dog’s risk of hypertension, heart illness, and diabetes. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease in senior dogs. With minimal exercise and growing years, senior dogs require a strict nutrition program to promote fitness and long lifespan.

If your pet is taking antibiotics, eating dairy products will negatively affect antibiotic absorption, especially on the likes of Doxycycline. Therefore, you should be cautious about how much cheese you give your dog, especially provolone cheese.

What Cheese Types Are Typically Safe For Dog Consumption?

Cottage cheese is known to have the lowest salt and fat content. Cottage cheese is available in low-fat, salt-free, and additive-free varieties. You will be doing your dog a favor if you make homemade treats made of cottage cheese for them.

Furthermore, because cottage cheese contains abundant proteins, your dog’s special snack can help to ensure healthier and stronger bones, teeth, and heart. There are also various types of cheeses that have low lactose content, so they are safe for your dogs. 

Cheeses with low lactose content include:

• Swiss
• Parmesan
• Mozzarella
• Cheddar
• Pepper jack

When dogs eat provolone cheese, they can benefit from occasionally tasting cheese. Medications are frequently given to dogs by placing tablets into a treat made of cheese. Furthermore, having hard cheese, preferably in stick form, nearby makes teaching your dog easier.

Conclusion

It can be a lot of pleasure to have a dog as a pet. Dogs are always affectionate, devoted, and playful. They adore and love their humans. However, as a pet parent, you are taking responsibility for your furry child’s life, which means need to pay careful attention to your pet’s diet.

Feeding your dog cheese is not harmful if done responsibly. An occasional feeding of small pieces of cheese, such as cottage cheese or provolone, can actually be helpful. These cheeses’ calcium, protein, vitamins, and fatty acids content will benefit your dog’s health. But remember to stay away from cheeses blended with spices or herbs, blue cheese, and cheese types that are known for their high-caloric content.