Can dogs eat cheese?

Only with precautions. Cheese is safe for most dogs in small pieces, and it is a classic pill-hiding vehicle. The caveats: many adult dogs are lactose intolerant, so more than a cube can mean gas and diarrhea, and cheese is calorie-dense. Avoid blue cheese entirely — its roquefortine C can cause tremors. Low-lactose hard cheeses in tiny amounts are the best choice.

Watch for gas, diarrhea, vomiting in lactose-intolerant dogs. Symptoms may appear within hours; when in doubt, call your vet.

Assess how much was eaten and whether seeds, pits, shells or seasoning were included. Small plain amounts usually need monitoring only; large or seasoned amounts warrant a call to your vet.