Can dogs eat cottage cheese?

Low-fat cottage cheese has roughly 70 to 80 calories and 11 to 12 g of protein per 100 g. That is far lighter than cheddar, which is over 400 calories per 100 g. It does carry around 300 to 400 mg of sodium per 100 g, though, so it is not a free food.

Because it is a fresh cheese, it contains more lactose than aged hard cheeses, about 3 g per 100 g.

A teaspoon is enough for a toy breed, a tablespoon for a medium dog, and two tablespoons for a large dog. Stir it through the meal or use a dollop to coat a tablet. Offer it a few times a week rather than every day, and reduce the main meal slightly so the calories do not add up.

Watch for gas or softer stools after the first few servings.

Cottage cheese with chives, onion, garlic, or mixed herbs should not be shared. Versions with pineapple or other fruit add sugar. Full-fat cottage cheese is fine occasionally, but the low-fat kind is a better everyday choice for dogs prone to weight gain.

Always check the lid for flavorings before sharing from a family tub.

You may have heard cottage cheese mentioned as part of a bland diet. Whether a bland diet is right for your dog, and what should go in it, depends on the cause of the upset. Ask your vet before changing food when your dog is unwell, rather than reaching for the fridge.