Can Dogs Eat Cheese?
Yes, in small amounts — the ASPCA names cheese among the foods you can safely share with your pet, provided treats stay under five percent of the day’s calories.
What the ASPCA publishes
Cheese appears on the ASPCA’s “Sharing is Caring” list, which says:
“A small cube of cheese is a great snack and/or pill disguise for your four-legged friend!”
The same page sets a limit that travels with that sentence: snacks should be no more than five percent of your dog's daily calorie intake, because people food tends to be high in fat and sugar, and too much fat can inflame the pancreas.
Common questions
Can dogs eat cheese?
Yes, in small amounts — the ASPCA names cheese among the foods you can safely share with your pet, provided treats stay under five percent of the day’s calories.
How much cheese can a dog have?
The ASPCA does not publish a quantity for cheese specifically. It publishes a limit for treats in general: snacks should be no more than five percent of your dog's daily calorie intake, because people food tends to be high in fat and sugar and too much fat can inflame the pancreas. We give you their limit rather than inventing a portion for this food.
My dog already ate cheese — what now?
Call your veterinarian, or the ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. Note how much was eaten and when. This page reports what published sources say about cheese; it cannot tell you whether your dog is affected, and no amount is described here as safe.
Other foods the ASPCA says you can share
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If your dog has already eaten cheese, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. This page reports what published sources say; it is not a diagnosis, and no amount is described here as safe.
Verified on . Based on ASPCA Poison Control (ASPCA, 24-hour emergency line, accessed 2026-07-28) and Kitten Age & Weight Chart (ASPCA Pro, 2023 (golden-test source, not used to build the calculation)). See the method.