Cheese types for dogs, one by one

Most plain cheeses are described by the sources below as occasional treats in small amounts, blue cheese is the one PetMD marks as unsafe, PetMD calls string cheese a less ideal pick, and Swiss is not addressed by name in the articles we opened. That is general information from public sources, not veterinary advice, and it cannot tell you whether a cheese suits your dog. Your veterinarian can. For the overall question, start with can dogs eat cheese.

What the sources say, cheese by cheese

PetMD's cheese article, reviewed by Teresa Manucy, DVM and updated Aug. 28, 2025, sorts cheeses into occasional, moderate and unsafe groups (PetMD, Can Dogs Eat Cheese?, opened 2026-10-16). The AKC article, updated Aug 19, 2025, names only a few cheeses (AKC, Can Dogs Eat Cheese?, opened 2026-10-16). Here is what each one says, and where a source is silent we say so.

Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese is the most asked about, and the two sources agree on the main point: it is a lower fat, lower sodium option than most cheeses (AKC), though PetMD cautions that it is still high in lactose. Plain is the thing to look for. Flavored or mixed-in versions are a label question.

Mozzarella

Both sources point to mozzarella as a lighter pick. PetMD singles out part-skim as lower in lactose and saturated fat. Lighter is not the same as free, so the piece stays small.

Cream cheese

PetMD lists cream cheese as an occasional food and notes the saturated fat. Flavored spreads (chive, garlic, onion, herb) are where the ASPCA warning below applies.

Cheddar, parmesan, Swiss and American

PetMD puts cheddar and parmesan in the occasional group for sodium and saturated fat, and calls American cheese processed and high in sodium. Swiss does not appear in either article, so we have no named source to quote for it. Treat that silence as a reason to ask, not as a green light.

Feta

PetMD lists feta as occasional and flags sodium and lactose. It is a brined cheese, so read the label before sharing.

Blue cheese

Skip it. PetMD marks blue cheese unsafe because it contains roquefortine. Separately, the ASPCA warns that mold growing on aging food can make dogs sick, with vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and seizures, and says to call your vet or poison control at once if a dog eats moldy food (ASPCA, The Dangers of Moldy Food, opened 2026-10-16). That alert does not mention cheese by name, so it is a general warning, not a statement about one cheese.

Lactose, fat and sodium across all of them

Lactose. The ASPCA says milk and other dairy can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset because pets lack enough of the enzyme that digests lactose (ASPCA, People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, opened 2026-10-16). The AKC adds that cheese contains little lactose compared with whole milk, though a dog with severe intolerance may still react to a small amount. Try one new food at a time, in a tiny amount.

Fat. The AKC says cheese is high in fat and that feeding too much, too often can cause weight gain and obesity. Lower fat cheeses reduce that concern but do not remove it.

Sodium. The ASPCA says too much salt can cause increased thirst and urination and, in larger amounts, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and seizures. PetMD flags sodium for cheddar, parmesan, American and feta. Small pieces keep the total low.

Processed cheese products: read the whole label

A block of plain cheese has a short ingredient list. A cheese spread, cheese snack, sauce or cracker filling can have more. The AKC notes that some cheeses contain herbs or other additions that are toxic to dogs, naming garlic, onions and chives, and the ASPCA says onions, garlic and chives can irritate the stomach and damage red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. The ASPCA also names xylitol as a danger to dogs, saying it can cause low blood sugar and liver damage. None of the articles we opened says that plain cheese contains xylitol. We raise it because the FDA's consumer page tells owners to look for xylitol in ingredient lists, with extra care on anything sold as sugar-free or low sugar (FDA, Paws Off Xylitol, opened 2026-10-16). If a label lists onion, garlic, chives, herbs or xylitol, leave it out of your dog's day.

How much, whichever cheese you pick

Treat cheese as part of the treat budget, not a separate allowance. VCA's guide puts treats and snacks at no more than about a tenth of a dog's daily calories, and suggests asking your vet for the calorie figure to build from (VCA, Dog Treats, opened 2026-10-16). For training, the AKC suggests pea-sized pieces (AKC, The Right Treats Make the Best Rewards, opened 2026-10-16). Our training treat guide shows how to turn that into a session.

Your dog may have a reason to skip cheese altogether, such as a history of pancreatitis, a prescription diet, weight to lose or a dairy reaction. That is a decision for your veterinarian, not for a cheese chart.

Where our cheddar fits

Our bag is cheddar: pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt and enzymes on the label, with no herbs, onion, garlic or sweetener listed. It is dairy, it is rich, and it is salted like any cheddar, so the pieces stay small. See the product page, or cheese treats for dogs for how soft, hard and freeze-dried formats differ. Treats are for intermittent or supplemental feeding, not a complete diet.