Is cheese good for Shih Tzus

Can Shih Tzus Eat Cheese?

Its only natural.

Your Shih Tzu, who you love and adorewho is basically the best friend youve ever hadis begging for some of your delicious food, and you just cant stand to say no. Happily, you get him a small portion of whatever youre having for dinner, but then your stomach drops when you see that hes grabbed a piece of cheese with it. Is cheese bad for Shih Tzus? Is cheese toxic to Shih Tzus? Should I take the cheese back? Should I call the vet?

All these questions are totally normal. After all, most humans love cheese, too! Its a popular food, and its nutrient-rich and low cost. Thats why so many Shih Tzu owners wonder if they can feed their Shih Tzus cheese safely and the short answer is yes! Cheese is safe for Shih Tzus to eat. But there are lots of caveats, which well cover below plus a few other questions about feeding your Shih Tzu human foods. So lets start with the first question:

Is cheese safe for Shih Tzus?

Cheese can be a great treat for Shih Tzus in moderation, but you always want to make sure it is safe for your specific Shih Tzu. The safest option is to give your Shih Tzu plain cheese that does not contain any harmful ingredients, such as xylitol or other artificial sweeteners.

If you are unsure whether the cheese is safe, ask your vet. You might also consider introducing cheese to your Shih Tzus diet slowly, and serving it in small pieces.

If your Shih Tzu has never eaten cheese before, monitor them closely after giving them cheese to make sure they do not show any signs of intolerance or an allergic reaction. If you observe any abnormal symptoms, stop feeding the cheese to your Shih Tzu and call your vet immediately.

Benefits of feeding cheese in Shih Tzus

Do you think cheese is just for humans? Think again! Cheese is actually a great, healthy snack for Shih Tzus.

Protein: Cheese has all the amino acids that Shih Tzus need, so its an excellent source of protein.

Essential fatty acids: Cheese contains essential fatty acids that promote healthy skin and a shiny coat.

Calcium: Cheese is high in calcium, which is an important nutrient for building and maintaining strong bones.

Vitamins: Cheese also contains vitamins A and B12, both of which are necessary for good health in canines.

Training tools: Cheese can be used as an effective tool to train your Shih Tzu because most pups will do just about anything for a nibble of cheese. Its a great way to reward your Shih Tzu when theyve done something particularly cute or well-behaved.

Concealing pills: Does your pup need medication? Weve got you covered! Just slip the pill inside of a piece of cheese and watch your Shih Tzu scarf down the whole thing before you can say cheese.

Do all Shih Tzus like cheese?

Unfortunately, no. Some Shih Tzus dont like cheese. They may not like the taste, or the texture, or they may be lactose intolerant. Like us humans, Shih Tzus have food preferences and its important to pay attention to those preferences and not force feed them something they dont like.

If you notice your Shih Tzu isnt enthusiastic about eating cheese, dont force it by putting it on their kibble every day. Instead, try other Shih Tzu friendly treats like carrots or peanut butter.

If youre unsure about introducing a new food to your Shih Tzu, consult with your vet first.

Can my Shih Tzus have cheese every day?

Pets are like children, in that their diet is so important to their well-being. And just like humans, pets can get pretty bored with the same meals day after day. So if youre not careful, you could end up with a fussy Shih Tzu who wont eat anything but cheese, which could lead to all kinds of health problems.

Also, its important to remember that different treats contain different ingredients. Some treats are rich and fatty, while others are more light and healthy. Thats why its important to vary the types of treats you give your Shih Tzubesides varying the ingredients and flavors of their regular food.

Can Shih Tzu puppies eat cheese?

Yes, Shih Tzu puppies can eat cheese, but it would be best to wait until theyre two months old. Until then, they should be on a specialized puppy diet.

Cheese is a great training tool, and most puppies love it. But you should only let your puppy have a small bite at first and be careful not to overfeed them, as their digestive systems are delicate.

To make sure all goes well, consult with your vet before introducing any new foods into your puppys diet. Theyll be able to explain the best way to go about it based on your pups age and needs.

How much cheese can Shih Tzus eat?

As with anything, consult with your vet first to determine how much cheese is ideal for your Shih Tzus diet. Shih Tzus, like humans, vary in size, lactose tolerance and ageand those factors are important to consider when determining how much of a treat to offer.

That being said, its safe to give your Shih Tzu a few small pieces of cheese as a treat occasionally. (Obviously follow the 90/10 rule, where 90% of their diet is healthy food and 10% can be treats.) If you notice any negative reactions from your Shih Tzu, then its best to discontinue use of that type of treat.

What kind of cheese can Shih Tzus eat?

1. Mozzarella This popular cheese is a great option for Shih Tzus! Its low in fat, so you dont have to worry about your Shih Tzu gaining too much weightand its safe for them to eat.

2. Cottage Cheese Similar to Mozzarella, this cheese is also low in fat. So it can be a great choice if youre worried about your Shih Tzu gaining too much weight from eating cheese. But always make sure your Shih Tzu isnt lactose intolerant before giving them any dairy products.

3. Swiss Cheese If youre worried about the amount of lactose in the cheese, Swiss is a great option, because its lower in lactose than many other cheeses. However, it has a higher salt content than some other cheeses, so give it to your Shih Tzu sparingly if they have any issues with high blood pressure or water retention (edema).

4. Cheddar Compared to some other cheeses, cheddar has a relatively low level of salts, which makes it a good choice overall, but especially if your Shih Tzu has issues with high blood pressure or water retention (edema).

5. String Cheese Low levels of lactose and salt mean this is safe for Shih Tzus, but the stringiness could be a choking hazardso break it up before you give it to your pooch!

What types of cheese are bad for Shih Tzus?

Blue cheese: Contains Stilton fungus, which produces a substance called Roquefortine C. This substance can cause tremors and seizures in Shih Tzus, so its best to avoid blue cheese.

Goat cheese: A common myth is that goat milk is better for Shih Tzus than cow milk. While this might be true sometimes, goat milk contains more lactose than cows milk and can therefore be discouraged.

Cheesecake: Cheesecake is high in fat content, which can lead to obesity and other health risks including pancreatitis.

Cream cheese: Like cheesecake, cream cheese is high in fats. It has similar risks to cheesecake and the risk of causing obesity in your Shih Tzu.

Parmesan cheese: Parmesan also has a high sodium content, which can lead to hypernatremia (an excess of sodium).

Cheese puffs: These snacks are high in fat and sodium and are therefore not recommended for Shih Tzus.

How to serve cheese to your Shih Tzus?

Cheese is a great treat to share with your Shih Tzu, especially when you need to distract them from something you know they wont like.

When serving cheese as a snack, make sure its in small pieces (about the size of your pinky nail) and that theyre only eating it one or two at a time. They dont have the same threshold for lactose as we do!

Another tasty way to serve up some cheese is on top of their regular food. A sprinkle of shredded cheddar makes a nice food topper for Shih Tzus, just make sure its in moderation and youre always keeping an eye out for any signs of stomach upset.

If you have a harder Shih Tzu food, like kibble, cheese sauce can be an amazing way to get them to eat it. You can also mix equal parts of cooked white rice and cottage cheese if theyre having stomach issues. The probiotics in cottage cheese mixed with the blandness of rice will help balance out their gut and relieve their sensitive stomach.

What are the risks of feeding cheese to your Shih Tzu?

Cheese is high in fat. This means that it is bad for your Shih Tzus waistline. As you probably know, Shih Tzus are natural carnivores, and they need a diet rich in protein and low in fatjust like humans do! Feeding your Shih Tzu cheese could cause him to become overweight or obese.

In addition, cheese may contain high amounts of lactose that can cause your Shih Tzu to become lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance causes flatulence and diarrhea from an inability to digest the sugar found in dairy products. It is important to note that even if your Shih Tzu does not seem upset after eating cheese, he may still develop an intolerance.

Finally, you should always check the ingredients list for toxic additions like garlic or onion. These can be very harmful to your pet, so make sure you keep these out of their reach at all times.

Other human foods Shih Tzus can eat

What other human foods can Shih Tzus eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Shih Tzus can eat.

So, can Shih Tzus eat cheese?

Cheese is a treat that you can give your Shih Tzu once in a while. It is rich in calcium, protein, and vitamins A and B-12, making it an excellent treat for Shih Tzus.

However, make sure you feed your Shih Tzu only a small amount of cheese. Too much of it can cause diarrhea and/or vomiting. The rule of thumb is to give your Shih Tzu 10 percent or less of the total calorie intake per day.

Feeding your Shih Tzu cheese every day will add up to the calories they consume. Choose the safer cheese from the list above and dont overfeed your pet with this delicious treat.

What Foods Are Bad, Poisonous, & Toxic to Shih Tzus? 25 Bad Foods!

As a Shih Tzu owner, you will know only too well how delicate their little stomachs can be. They are renowned for being sick after certain foods, and far more than other breeds might be. Its not always possible to keep your dog from reacting badly to certain foods, but you can eliminate a lot of sickness by not letting them eat foods that are bad for Shih Tzus.

I recommend you print this list off and stick it your refrigerator some of the foods I list that your dog should avoid, arent just bad for your Shih Tzu, they could even be fatal. Some will poison your dog and are foods that are toxic to Shih Tzus.

Because of this, Ive put the most poisonous foods to Shih Tzus first on the list. It explains why they are toxic and even how much they might eat before you call a vet.

Bottom line though; if your Shih Tzu eats anything they shouldnt, dont wait to read notes like this on the Internet call your vet!

So, if you want to find out what food Shih Tzus cant eat, plus some plants that are poisonous to them too read on.

Poisonous foods for Shih Tzus

Like most dogs, Shih Tzus will eat whatever you put in front of them. If you happen to drop something on the floor and they gobble it up, in most cases, they should be fine with eating things in moderation.

However, there are some foods that are extremely toxic and not safe for Shih Tzus to eat, even in small amounts. Knowing what Shih Tzus cannot eat is really important in keeping your dog safe.

Heres the most dangerous foods for Shih Tzus, followed by things that they eat that are not poisonous as such, but are still bad.

1. Chocolate

This is most commonly misunderstood food that Shih Tzus cannot eat, and the one that leads to most people having to call a vet.

Its all due to the toxic theobromine substance in chocolate. Just small amounts can make your Shih Tzu sick, so if chocolate drops on the floor, pick it up immediately. In large quanties your dog will vomit, and in more serious cases develop an abnormal heartbeat, tremors, seizure, and even death.

Dark chocolate is the most dangerous and poisonous to Shih Tzus as it contains more of the theobromine.

2. Onions, garlic, leeks and chives

All of these foods are in the Allium family. Anything in this bracket is a poisonous food for Shih Tzus, whether its been boiled, cooked, or whatever its not something your Shih Tzu should eat ever.

These foods are said to makes dogs feel poorly and in larger amounts can lead to red blood cell damage. You wont always see symptoms of poisoning straight away as it can take a few days for the toxic effects to take effect.

3. Artificial sweetener (xylitol) in gum and mints

Xylitol is one of the most toxic things a Shih Tzu can eat, and is commonly found in some mints and sugar-free gums.

According to research (see research published on MSU.edu), xylitol is 100 times more toxic than chocolate is for dogs. If they just eat one stick of gum with xylitol, a small dog could see their blood sugar levels dip considerably.

If the small dog went onto to eat a whole pack of gum with 10 sticks containing toxic xylitol, it could damage their liver irreparably and possibly even kill them.

Other foods and household items that can contain xylitol include:

• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Peanut butter
• Sugar-free candy
• Sugar free breath mints
• Fruit drinks
• Jellies and jams
• Cereals
• Baked goods
• Sugar-free puddings and Jello
• Over the counter vitamin supplements

4. Candy and sweets

Its not just the foods above that come with toxic xylitol. Some candy brands do too, so always check the labelling.

To be frank, you shouldnt be letting your dog eat candy anyway, even if its free of poisonous xylitol. Why? Its due to the sugar levels plus theres also the risk of choking or blockages in your Shih Tzus digestive tract or tooth fractures.

5. Certain peanut butter brands

Our Shih Tzu loves peanut butter. Its one of his favorite treats, especially when we put it in a Kong Toy.

However, some peanut butter brands include xylitol. This substance is toxic to dogs and needs to be avoided at all costs due to poisoning.

6. Corn on the cob

Corn on the cob is not among the poisonous foods for Shih Tzus, but it is dangerous due to the cob part. These can lodge in the throat of your dog and intestines, so should be avoided at all costs.

Sweetcorn is fine, as this will be easily digestible though.

7. Cooked bones

Dogs love to eat bones. Everyone knows dogs love bones, but they are dangers with this food type.

When bones are cooked, they become brittle and can break apart. This means that when Shih Tzus eat cooked bones, small slithers can perforate their internal organs, leading to big risks to their health with possible fatal consequences.

8. Avocado

Fruit is a great food for Shih Tzus, but not all fruit! Avocado is one such, as it can be bad for Shih Tzus but only when prepared in a particular way.

Avocados contain a poisonous toxin called persin which when eaten in large quantities can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. However, persin is mostly concentrated in the avocado skin and pit, rather than the fleshy part.

So, should your Shih Tzu eat an avocado, chances are you wont have any problems. But, its still worth avoiding, especially the toxic parts the skin and stone.

9. Grapes and raisins

Another group of fruits that can be poisonous to your Shih Tzu are grapes and raisins. They are a toxic food for Shih Tzus and can lead to kidney failure when eaten in large quantities.

10. Macadamia nuts and walnuts

All nuts should really be avoided in a Shih Tzus diet, as they are just the right size and texture that lead to choking. However, these two nuts which are potentially toxic to dogs.

When eaten at volume, both can result in diarrhea, sickness, and the possibility of canine pancreatitis.

The side effects of Macadamia nuts are very nasty and rank high on the list of poisonous foods for Shih Tzus the poisoning can result in hyperthermia, tremors, vomiting, and lethargy.

11. Cherry, peach, and plum pits

Due to the size of pips and seeds like this, they can become lodged in the intestines of smaller dogs like Shih Tzus. Blockages are a very real risk, so dont let things like this anywhere near your dogs mouth.

There are also trace elements of cyanide in the pits of some fruits like peach and plum. It would take a heck of a lot to poison your Shih Tzu, but its a bad food either way.

12. Mustard seeds

Mustard is so vomit-inducing to Shih Tzus that vets sometimes use it to make dogs sick up for medical purposes. The seeds in particular are very toxic as they contain poisonous elements to dogs.

13. Coconuts and coconut oil

A little bit of coconut is unlikely to harm your Shih Tzu, but the milk and white flesh of a coconut is known to cause stomach upsets in dogs.

The reasons coconut water should be avoided is due to the potassium in it, at high levels too.

14. Yeast dough

When ingested, yeast dough will heat up and then start to rise and create gas. This is very problematic in a Shih Tzus digestive system, leading to extreme pain, bloating, and possibly the twisting of their gut.

Its potentially fatal, so if your Shih Tzu eats yeast dough, visit a vet immediately the yeast can also change into ethanol, a highly potent alcohol.

15. Alcohol

This is good time to talk about alcohol dangers and how dangerous this drink can be for dogs.

Alcohol consumption can make your Shih Tzu have diarrhea, vomit, difficulty in breathing, tremors, a lack of coordination, abnormal blood acidity, central nervous system depression, and even a possible coma or death.

Giving your dog alcohol isnt funny and can kill them.

16. Hops

On a similar topic, the hops that are used in home brewing kits are also a dangerous ingredient for Shih Tzus to eat. There are compounds in the hops that lead to malignant hyperthermia.

That means your Shih Tzus temperature can rise rapidly, possibly causing permanent damage to the organs and brain or even death.

17. Coffee, caffeine, and tea

Drinks with in are bad for Shih Tzus. Its all down to the methylxanthines in the caffeine which causes similar bad reactions in dogs to chocolate.

If your Shih Tzu has licked up a couple of coffee granules, chances are he will be fine. But in large amounts such as loose tea and coffee beans, it could be very harmful and require vets help.

18. Nutmeg

Myristicin us a toxic substance with trace amounts found in nutmeg. When dogs eat it in large amounts it can lead to various problems including abdominal pain, increased heart rate, seizures, and even the possibility of hallucinations.

19. Moldy food

If your dog has access to trash, be very careful. Moldy food is bad for Shih Tzus as it can contain mycotoxins. Mycotoxins grow on moldy food and make it poisonous when ingested.

Bad food for Shih Tzus

In addition to the foods that are bad for Shih Tzus, there are others. Whilst they are not strictly considered poisonous and toxic, you should avoid them due to the potential negative side effects. For example, weight gain.

20. Milk and dairy products

Many Shih Tzus will be lactose intolerant, meaning dairy products can make them sick. Dogs dont have the same digestive system as us and can find it hard to break down lactose in milk, meaning runny diarrhea issues!

21. Blue cheese

Given that you know dairy is bad option for dogs, it should come as no surprise that some cheeses can be dangerous. Avoid the blue cheeses, Roquefort, and Stilton. They have roquefortine C which is known to cause very bad reactions in dogs.

This can include symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. In more extreme cases your Shih Tzu could develop seizures and tremors if they eat a lot of blue cheese.

22. Meat and eggs that have not been cooked properly

Many owners now feed their Shih Tzu a raw diet, and theres nothing wrong with that providing they get all the nutrients and goodness required.

However, there is some research to suggest that bacterial infections such as Salmonella and E. coli can be contracted by dogs eating raw meat.

23. Food and drinks with high sugar content

Sugary food and snacks arent good for us, so they certainly arent for your dog. In fact, this is one of the worst foods for Shih Tzus, and can result in a range of health problems.

Dogs that have too many snacks with sugar content are at risk of developing diabetes, weight gain, and even decayed teeth and gums. Sugar can also upset delicate Shih Tzu tummies too, so something to avoid at all costs.

24. Food high in salt and sodium content

Just like lots of sugar, the same applies to salt content. Food that is high in sodium can potentially poison your Shih Tzu but is most likely to lead to them getting extreme thirst and increased urination in the volume it would be in dropped food.

If your Shih Tzu does eat lots of salt, the warning signs are very severe and include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, high body temperature, and seizures.

25. Fatty foods

Fatty foods such sausage, bacon, burgers, and fried food can result in upset stomachs. If your Shih Tzu gets to eat these tasty snacks over a prolonged period of time, it could even result in pancreatitis.

Yes, its hard to say no to those pleading eyes when they beg for your food, but often the tastiest food is the worst for Shih Tzus.

What plants are poisonous to Shih Tzus?

There are also things your Shih Tzu should not eat outdoors including the following toxic plants.

• Aconitum
• Amaryllis bulbs
• Asparagus fern
• Azalea
• Citrus
• Cyclamen
• Daffodil bulbs
• Day lilies
• Delphiniums
• Dogs Mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
• Foxgloves
• Hemlock
• Hibiscus
• Hostas
• Hyacinth
• Hydrangea
• Ivy
• Laburnum
• Lily of the valley
• Lupins
• Morning glory
• Mushroom plants
• Nightshade
• Oleander
• Rhododendron
• Rhubarb leaves
• Sweet pea
• Tomato leaves and stems
• Tulip bulbs
• Umbrella plant
• Wisteria
• Yew

This list contains just the most common plants that are poisonous to Shih Tzus. For a more comprehensive list, please download this print out from the Dogs Trust.

Conclusion

The reality is, most of the time if your Shih Tzu has just eaten a very small amount of any of the bad foods listed here, they should be ok.

But, please never leave anything to chance and also consult with a professional veterinarian for advice.

I am not a vet, just a dog owner so all I have written here today is what I have personally learned and research myself. It should not replace veterinarian advice.

You might also like

In addition to this list of foods toxic to Shih Tzus, I also write individual guides about other things they can eat, and the health implications. Heres a small sample of recent content.

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/dog-shih-tzu-pet-cute-dog-look-1490913/