Easy cheese, also known as spray cheese or aerosol cheese, is a cheese-like product that comes in an aerosol can and can be sprayed directly onto foods like crackers, bread, and vegetables. Some dog owners may be tempted to give their dogs easy cheese as a treat or to add some flavor and protein to their meals. But is easy cheese actually safe and healthy for dogs to eat?
What is Easy Cheese Made Of?
The main ingredients in easy cheese are:
- Water
- Vegetable oil
- Milk proteins
- Milkfat
- Sodium citrate
- Whey
- Cheese culture
- Salt
- Preservatives
- Stabilizers
- Emulsifiers
- Food coloring
- Natural and artificial flavors
So while easy cheese does contain some dairy ingredients like milkfat and whey, the majority of the product is made up of oils, sodium, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. This differs a lot from regular cheeses, which contain minimal added ingredients beyond the dairy components.
Nutritional Value of Easy Cheese
Here is the basic nutritional information for a 1 tablespoon serving of easy cheese:
| Calories | 45 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 3.5g |
| Sodium | 270mg |
| Carbs | 1g |
| Protein | 3g |
As you can see, easy cheese is very high in sodium, with 270mg per serving. It also provides a decent amount of fat. However, it is lacking in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and probiotics compared to real cheese. So while easy cheese can provide some protein and fat, it does not offer much nutritional value for dogs.
Are the Ingredients Safe for Dogs?
Most of the ingredients in easy cheese are technically safe for dogs to consume. However, some ingredients are more questionable than others:
- Milkfat: High amounts of fat from dairy foods can cause digestive upset in dogs. But small amounts are usually fine.
- Sodium citrate: Adds sodium/salt and can increase risk of high blood pressure. Should be limited.
- Preservatives: Preservatives like potassium sorbate and sodium aluminum phosphate can potentially cause health issues if consumed regularly.
- Artificial colors: Food dyes like Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 have been linked to cancer and behavior issues in animal studies. Best avoided.
- Xanthan gum: Stabilizer that may cause digestive problems if eaten in large amounts.
So while no ingredients are acutely toxic, some of the preservatives, emulsifiers, and artificial additives could cause health problems if dogs consumed large amounts of easy cheese regularly.
Health Risks of Giving Dogs Easy Cheese
Some potential risks and dangers associated with feeding easy cheese to dogs include:
- Obesity: Easy cheese is high in fat and calories. Too much could lead to weight gain in dogs.
- Sodium toxicity: The extremely high sodium content could cause sodium ion poisoning if a dog ate enough.
- GI issues: Dogs may experience vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation from ingredients that are hard to digest.
- Allergies: Some dogs are allergic to dairy ingredients like milk proteins.
- Pancreatitis: High fat foods like easy cheese increase the risk of pancreatitis in susceptible dogs.
- Diabetes: Ongoing intake of high fat foods makes obesity and diabetes more likely.
- Kidney problems: The sodium and preservatives may worsen kidney function in dogs with kidney disease.
While an occasional small serving of easy cheese likely won’t cause any major issues in healthy dogs, regular large amounts could lead to both acute and chronic health problems over time.
Benefits of Easy Cheese for Dogs
There are a few potential benefits that easy cheese could offer dogs:
- Added protein: The whey and milk proteins provide extra protein for dogs’ diets.
- Additional calories: The fat and oils offer a higher calorie density for underweight dogs who need more energy.
- Flavor and palatability: Most dogs are very attracted to the savory, salty, cheesy flavor.
- Convenient: Easy cheese can be quickly sprayed onto meals or treats for picky eaters.
However, there are certainly healthier ways to add protein, fat, flavor and convenience to a dog’s diet than feeding easy cheese.
Healthier Cheese Alternatives for Dogs
Some healthier cheese options to give your dog include:
- Cottage cheese: Provides protein and calcium without much fat.
- Goat cheese: Typically easier to digest and lower in lactose.
- Mozzarella: Low in lactose and a good source of protein.
- Feta cheese: Lower in fat than many other cheeses.
- Parmesan: Hard cheese that provides a strong flavor dogs love.
When choosing a type of cheese to share with your dog, opt for low-fat natural cheeses with no added preservatives. Only give small amounts occasionally as high-fat treats.
Conclusion
While easy cheese isn’t outright toxic for dogs, it provides very little nutritional value. The high amount of sodium, fat, preservatives and artificial additives make regular consumption risky. While an occasional small amount probably won’t cause much harm, easy cheese should not be a regular part of a dog’s diet.
Much healthier cheese options to give as treats are low-fat cottage cheese, goat cheese, mozzarella, feta, and parmesan. Always supervise your dog with any treat and adjust serving sizes as needed. Talk to your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog’s diet.
Related Questions
Can puppies have easy cheese?
No, easy cheese should not be fed to puppies. Puppies have developing digestive systems and lower tolerances for salt, fat, and artificial additives. The high sodium and fat content of easy cheese could cause serious health issues for puppies like vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis and nutritional deficiencies. Wait until dogs are fully grown before considering giving small amounts of easy cheese on rare occasions.
Does easy cheese cause diarrhea in dogs?
Easy cheese may cause diarrhea in dogs due to its high fat content, added oils, preservatives and flavorings. The dairy components could also result in diarrhea in dogs with sensitivities to dairy products. If your dog gets diarrhea after eating easy cheese, stop giving it immediately and talk to your vet if the diarrhea persists.
Can dogs eat easy cheese every day?
No, dogs should not eat easy cheese every day. The high sodium, fat, and preservative content could lead to obesity, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal issues and other health problems if consumed regularly long-term. Easy cheese should only be given occasionally in small amounts if given at all.
Is spray cheese better than regular cheese for dogs?
No, spray cheese is not better than regular cheese for dogs. Regular cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar and cottage cheese tend to be much lower in fat, sodium and preservatives compared to easy cheese. They also have higher nutritional value, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Stick with small amounts of regular cheese over easy cheese whenever possible.
Can I put easy cheese in my dog’s Kong?
It’s not recommended, as stuffing a Kong with easy cheese provides a very high volume of fat, sodium and preservatives. Choose healthier Kong stuffing options like:
- Peanut butter
- Pumpkin puree
- Greek yogurt
- Banana
- Baby food (avoid onion/garlic)
- Cooked oatmeal
- Low-sodium broth frozen into ice cubes
If you do use easy cheese, be very conservative with the amount stuffed into a Kong.
Is cheese whiz toxic to dogs?
Cheese whiz is not directly toxic to dogs, but it can cause health problems if dogs consume enough of it. The main risks of cheese whiz for dogs include:
- Pancreatitis from high fat
- Obesity from calories
- Diarrhea from too much dairy
- Sodium poisoning from high salt content
- Kidney problems from additives
While an occasional lick of cheese whiz won’t harm dogs, it should not be fed deliberately or allowed to be consumed in large quantities due to the risks.
What kind of cheese can I give my dog?
Some dog-safe cheeses include:
- Cottage cheese (low fat)
- Mozzarella sticks or cubes
- Cheddar cheese (low fat)
- Goat cheese
- Feta cheese crumbles
- Parmesan wisps or shreds
Always give cheese in moderation since dairy fat can trigger digestive issues in dogs. Avoid cheese with added spices or seasonings.
Can dogs eat American cheese?
In small amounts, American cheese is generally safe for dogs to eat. However, some precautions include:
- Choose white American cheese, as yellow contains dye
- Look for low-fat or reduced-fat options
- Avoid if your dog has dairy sensitivities
- Only give 1-2 small thin slices at a time
- Dogs may get gassy or have diarrhea
- Don’t make it a daily treat
American cheese offers very little nutritional value and is quite processed, so feed healthier cheeses if possible. But occasional American cheese given safely will likely not harm most dogs.
Can I mix easy cheese with my dog’s dry food?
It’s best not to mix easy cheese into your dog’s regular meals, for a few reasons:
- The sodium and fat content will be too high
- The additives may upset your dog’s stomach
- Your dog may start refusing to eat their food without easy cheese
- It’s healthier to keep human foods separate from dog food
If your dog is a very picky eater, try mixing in some cooked plain chicken, beef, pumpkin puree, plain yogurt, or low sodium broth instead of easy cheese into their kibble.