Dogs are foodies, and they would never hesitate to give you puppy eyes if you are having a lip-smacking meal. We pet owners always ask ourselves which foods to share with them. Cheese is one such food that smells and looks like the best buddy of a dog. But Monterey Jack cheese, isn’t it? It’s a soft, creamy, mild snack, melty, and sandwich cheese. Can dogs have or live without Monterey Jack cheese? Discover.
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Why Dogs Love Cheese
Dogs are all-natural and possess a more acute sense of smell than a human does. Cheese is really pungent and salty tasting, and dogs can’t seem to get enough of it. Cheese even finds itself on some pet owners’ lists of what they’d rather their training treats be due to it being so moldable and versatile to use, and most dogs will appeal to it.
But because dogs adore cheese. It doesn’t imply that all cheese is safe. Every cheese has a varying amount of fat, salt, and lactose. Monterey Jack is said to be creamy and mild. Therefore it seems harmless too. But it’s crucial before serving it to your dog to understand what lies within.
What Is Monterey Jack Cheese Made Of?
It is a semi-hard cow milk cheese. Mild in taste, Monterey Jack is good for melting, and is heavily used in Mexican and American cuisine. The primary ingredients are:
- Milk – The bulk ingredient in cheese, having enough lactose.
- Salt – Added to it for flavor and to avoid spoilage.
- Cultures and Enzymes – They are used to convert milk to cheese.
- Fat – Cheese has fat and calories naturally in it.
These are nontoxic to people but metabolized slightly differently in canines. Milk lactose and cheese salt will poison some dogs when eaten in quantity.
Is Monterey Jack Cheese Safe for Dogs?
Short answer: Yes, but only in tiny quantities.
Monterey Jack cheese is safe to consume by dogs. Your dog will not typically have any negative effects from ingesting a small amount by accident. Cheese is the greatest treat or medicine burying thrill for most dogs. Too much, though, will make them ill.
The biggest problems with Monterey Jack cheese are:
- It contains lactose that some dogs cannot metabolize.
- It contains salt that in great amounts is poisonous.
- It is also very calorie- and fat-dense and can thereby lead to weight gain.
So while not toxic, you’ll want to keep Monterey Jack cheese as a rare special treat for your dog, not a regular meal.
Dangers of Feeding Dogs Monterey Jack Cheese
Although portions are usually okay, below are the dangers of which you should be informed:
Lactose Intolerance
There are some dogs that are unable to digest lactose, a milk sugar. If the animal is lactose intolerant, then the ingestion of Monterey Jack cheese will result in gas, diarrhea, or upset stomach.
High Fat Content
Monterey Jack is also rich and fatty. Too much fat kills a dog by making it obese, and obesity develops many other problems like joint pain, diabetes, and heart disease. Fatty food, everyone desires, can even lead to pancreatitis, which is beyond description painful and fatal to dogs.
Salt Content
The cheese is salted. A little won’t hurt, but too much dehydration or salting is poisonous to the dog. Most severe sign is vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.
Calories and Overfeeding
The dog does not need the extra calories snack foods like cheese contain. Misuse of using Monterey Jack as a treat to overfeed a dog, especially smaller breeds with lower caloric needs, will lead to weight gain.
How Much Monterey Jack Cheese Is Safe for Dogs?
Be reasonable. An occasional speck or small piece of Monterey Jack cheese will be fine for most healthy dogs. For instance:
- Small breeds – Half a teaspoon or small piece
- Medium breeds – 1–2 small pieces
- Large breeds – A slice or 2 small pieces
It is not a daily thing but a sporadic indulgence. Cheese is less than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.
Symptoms Your Dog Should Not Have Cheese
Monterey Jack cheese is not ideal for every dog. Avoid giving it to your dog if:
- Has ever been lactose intolerant
- Has pancreatitis
- Is overweight or obese
- Has heart disease or kidney disease (for salt content)
If you are not sure, consult your veterinarian initially before providing cheese to your dog.
Better Monterey Jack Cheese Options
If you still wish to provide cheese to your dog, there are better options:
- Low-fat cheese – Mozzarella and cottage cheese are less greasy and tend to be more digestible.
- Cheese-flavored dog treats – Formulated specifically for dogs and not constructed using the lethal salts or oils.
- Healthy alternative options – Sliced seedless apple, carrots, cucumber, blueberries, or plain chicken cooked is all healthier and better options than cheese.
These give your dog a great alternative without giving in to upset stomach because of fatty cheeses.
Why Cheese Should Be a Rare Treat
Cheese does not necessarily have to be included in a dog’s diet. What they should be eating most of the time is a balanced kibble for dogs or raw dog food based on their requirements. Cheese can only be employed as a training treat or an occasional reward.
Consider cheese for dogs the way we consider ice cream for humans—it’s tasty and fine but not to be eaten on a daily basis. You can eat it occasionally, but eating it every day makes you sick.
FAQs On Dogs and Monterey Jack Cheese
Do dogs eat cheese every day?
No, Monterey Jack cheese is not good for a dog to eat every day. Little bit is fine, but every day, they make them indigestible and fat and other problems.
Is Monterey Jack cheese good for puppies?
No, not the puppies or even any puppies at all. They have a weaker digestive system and require puppy food for them to develop. If sometimes, here and there, stray bites are eaten, it’s fine, but feeding them regularly is unbearable.
Are there alternative cheeses safer for dogs to consume?
Yes, they are. Blue cheese and highly processed cheese are toxic or poisonous. Cottage cheese and mozzarella are fine since they have less lactose and fat.
What if my dog has eaten too much cheese?
If a large amount of cheese was consumed by your dog, watch for vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, or sleepiness. Calm down and give them a glass of cold water. If the signs linger, contact your vet.
Why in the world would vets even suggest cheese?
Vets sometimes recommend putting a little cheese hoping to hide medicine. Animals will ingest more when their mouths are covered with an acceptable chew like cheese. Use just a little bit.
It’s one of the favorite foods of dogs. Monterey Jack isn’t any different. Luckily, it is not toxic to dogs. So the random, infrequent nibble or two won’t kill most animals. It has high fat, caloric, and lactose content. However, it must be set aside as a rare treat.
If your dog is otherwise healthy, a happy one-block occasional treat of Monterey Jack cheese is no problem. But if your dog is overweight, lactose-intolerant, or prone to pancreatitis, forget it.
Be a good parent to your dog, never at the expense of your dog’s health by giving them healthy treats and nutritionally balanced foods. A reshoot on Monterey Jack cheese for you, and some healthy treats for your pet that will do them good for their overall health and well-being.
