When It Makes Sense To Give Your Dog Cottage Cheese!

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Cottage cheese is low in fat, has lots of protein, and is said to improve digestion.

So it’s a great food for dogs, right?

Here’s the deal:

Dairy foods are tricky. Many dogs (to a certain degree) are lactose intolerant.

But, if that isn’t a problem…

Can I Give My Dog Cottage Cheese?Cottage cheese can actually be very useful! In particular, many owners find that it really helps their dogs when they have a stomachache.

Dogs Can Eat Cottage Cheese

Some vets even recommend it.

Because it is similar to bland rice, cottage cheese tends to be good for an upset stomach and similar (but temporary) bowel irregularities.

It’s true!

Have a Plan Behind It

Cottage cheese could work for an under-the-weather dog, but this assumes they aren’t overly sensitive to lactose.

Play it safe by limiting portions (especially the first time feeding it).

Contrary to popular belief, dogs do have sensitive digestive systems.

The point is: Use cottage cheese tactfully!

You want to avoid possibly throwing off your buddy’s stomach by giving them whatever you fancy (unless there is a good reason do to so).

Nutrition vs. Bad Habits

Quality cottage cheese contains lots of vitamins, minerals, micro-nutrients and antioxidants.

People swear by it. No doubt it has healthy aspects.

Who wouldn’t want their dog to get extra calcium, potassium, vitamin-B12, selenium and many others!

While there are lots of wonderful things about cottage cheese, a premium dog food will provide all of these above-mentioned attributes (minus the dairy factor and high sodium).

And above all else…

It is very important to establish proper feeding habits sooner rather than later.

You probably can’t, nor should you, provide this food on a regular basis. And certainly do not allow your dog to begin expecting it.

Don’t Overlook Probiotics

So now we know when to consider this well-known curd recipe.

Assuming you aren’t making your own cottage cheese, be sure to pick up a good brand. Doing so is important because, if your dog is sick, the probiotics may help to boost their recovery.

Label of a Probiotic Cottage Cheese
Here is an example of a good quality cottage cheese. As you can see, there are live bacteria in there! This probiotic attribute could possibly be beneficial for dogs too.

FYI: Most cheap store-bought cottage cheeses do not have a probiotic effect. This is unfortunate because it’s one of the main reasons why this food is considered so healthy.


Look for Lactobacillus acidophilus.

That’s the most common live bacteria probiotic strain typically found in cottage cheese and it may, at least in theory, help a sick dog. 

Accidental Consumption

Rest assured, there is nothing toxic in cottage cheese.

Don’t worry too much if your dog somehow ate their fair share. That’s not to say they won’t get diarrhea or an upset stomach.

The biggest factors are the amount consumed and whether your dog is sensitive to lactose.


Fact: There are actually many other foods that have much more lactose compared to cottage cheese.


The Bottom Line

Feeding your dog cottage cheese can be the right strategy for a tummy ache.

But dairy could be an issue.

If not, then cottage cheese may soothe a dog’s digestion. Just don’t get carried away!

Mixing a small amount into regular chow is a good initial way to do a test tasting.

What Do You Think? Have Your Say Below…

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15 thoughts on “When It Makes Sense To Give Your Dog Cottage Cheese!”

  1. Is the salt content in cottage cheese okay for dogs?

  2. My 17 year old Chihuahua isn’t eating much, even tried rotisserie chicken. She won’t eat chicken breast anymore, dark meat included. I also tried bone broth.

    Now she loves cottage cheese, and eats some of the chicken with it. A vet recommended it before when she was constipated awhile ago.

  3. I have heard that popcorn is horrible for dogs, because the kernels can get struck in their teeth and cause abscesses. They can’t floss their teeth like we can!

  4. My dog is loves 5% cottage cheese and 5% fat cream cheese that we have here in Israel. He has been refusing to eat dry food, but will eat it when I put some cheese on top.

    He also loves hard boiled eggs and is crazy about tuna fish. I don’t like the hard boiled egg whites, so he gets them. Rarely, I sprinkle tuna over his dry food.

  5. My dog is a picky eater. Ever since I began mixing 1 teaspoon of cottage cheese to her dry food, she eats it all. Her bowel movements have also returned to normal. She has a very sensitive stomach and cottage cheese seems to regulate it.

  6. Our 11 year old dog is diabetic and our vet said we can add 1/2 to 1 cup of cottage cheese to each of her meals. She eats twice a day and her meal also consists of skinless chicken breast, with 1/2 cup each green beans and broccoli.

  7. Seems like cottage cheese is good for dogs after all, although perhaps dependent on the situation. My pup has been having diarrhea and vomiting and my vet recommended that I give him cottage cheese. I googled how cottage cheese helps with canine diarrhea (didn’t cross my mind to ask the vet) and some people on a forum replied.

    They said the yeast bacteria in cottage cheese helps intestinal walls absorb food and slows the intestinal process. As a result, you get slower bowel movements and less diarrhea. I only wish my pup would eat it. Sadly, he’s not too interested in it.

  8. Our Corgis have a slice of cheese every day, plus cottage cheese. They are both 9 and healthy, happy pups. No problem with sick tummies or bowels. Sometimes you need to trust your gut – and yes, our vet knows and says its okay.

  9. I was told by a friend to mix a little cottage cheese with his kibbles. Lately he refuses to eat and I’m concerned. I feed him good dog food which was recommended by his vet.

  10. Cottage cheese is fine as a treat, in small doses, now and then. I wouldn’t give it on a daily basis though.

  11. Cottage cheese is a good enhancement, but not a whole meal, when sprinkled on dry dog food. A small amount shouldn’t trigger lactose intolerance or other dairy allergies that dogs may have. My Wheaten Terrier scoffs down his dry food when a little bit of cottage cheese is sprinkled on it.

  12. My 13 year old Shih Tzu started on a Budwig diet with half a tablespoon of cottage cheese mixed with a 1/4 tablespoon of organic cold pressed flaxseed oil. I gradually increased it to one tablespoon of the former and a half tablespoon of the latter. I did this because the vet had given up further treatment for him after he was diagnosed with Cirrhosis and, 2 months later, liver cancer.

    He refused to eat anything and went from 17 pounds to less than 10 and wouldn’t walk. He just hid himself under the chair or table, dying. Things changed after using the Budwig diet. 2 times a day, feeding him with my finger, and then we switched to a vegan diet. Occasionally, Hepatic canned food or dry food and he became more energetic and started eating the dry food. His feces also changed from black to normal color.

    1. Wow, I’m not familiar with that diet. I will say your doggie is very lucky that you looked after him so well and didn’t give up until you found the best food for him.

      1. I have a dog with cancer. It’s a tumor in her mouth. I have recently read about the Budwig diet and am about to embark on it. It is reassuring to find someone who has had a positive result. Thank you!

  13. My dog had extreme diarrhea from multiple food allergies and almost died. I have been feeding him skinless boiled chicken breast mixed in with duck and potato dog food, but he still had minor intestinal problems and sometimes refuses to eat.

    However, when I give him cottage cheese mixed in his dry food he eats it all and there are no repercussions. So, I am alternating chicken and cottage cheese.

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