Should I sprinkle Parmesan cheese on dog food?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Should I sprinkle Parmesan cheese on dog food?“.

Often you feel guilty when you’re making dinner for the family and your trusted dog just sits there with a sad and resigned look on his face? Despite your best efforts he would not be getting any of the yummy food you’re making. 

In spite of the fact that a human diet is not the best for dogs you can still give him some foods he can eat and cheese is one of them.

Here are the health benefits of cheese and how you can use it to get even picky eaters to eat.

Why is cheese good for your dog?

It is a staple food for a great many people throughout the world and if you consider the Mediterranean diet which relies heavily on this it seems quite healthy at least for us humans. But dogs can also benefit from this.

Many different types of cheese are produced from fermented milk which is why there are so many varieties available. Calcium phosphorus zinc vitamin A vitamin B12 and fats are found in cheese as well as protein fats and vitamins.

All of these are necessary for us and for our dogs too. It is obvious that dogs like their ancestors the wolves were meant to eat a diet rich in protein and fat that comes from meat. However cheese contains plenty of those nutrients as well. 

Especially for breeds more prone to osteoporosis calcium is important for bone health. 

The sodium content in cheese is something to watch out for. The right amount of sodium is necessary but too much leads to high blood pressure which is harmful to both you and your pet. Excessive sodium intake can cause serious kidney damage to your pet.

Lactose is another ingredient in cheese that might cause problems for your dog as his digestive system cannot handle a large amount. For this reason dogs should not consume milk. 

Can I sprinkle Parmesan cheese on your dog’s food?

Adding a bit of cheese to your dogs regular food is a good idea since it provides valuable nutrients but as previously mentioned not all cheeses are created equal.

Since it is made with the original Italian recipe Parmesan is quite salty so it is not the best choice for your dog.

The occasional sprinkle will not harm your pet but regular consumption will. 

Heres how much sodium is in 100 grams of Parmesan cheese: 1529 milligrams. Thats a lot of sodium. Low-sodium Parmesan is available on the market but its not the original recipe.

Parmesan vs Cheddar: How are they different? 

Cheddar cheese which contains 612 mg of sodium per 100 grams would be the best cheese to sprinkle on your dogs meal. Cheese has fewer calories and a lower calcium and protein content but if you give your dog an adequate diet you should not have a problem. 

What about other cheeses?

Due to their high sodium content blue cheeses are also not good for your dog.

As far as cheeses are concerned cottage cheese is the best option for your dog as it is less salty. You can also feed your dog traditional Italian Mozzarella. You can also give your dog soft goat cheese as a treat. It is important to keep in mind however that soft cheeses contain more lactose than hard cheeses. If your dog has a sensitive stomach offer him a small quantity of soft cheese and watch his stool. 

What are the top reasons that dogs are picky eaters?

It is a common problem among dog owners that their beloved pet turns his head in disgust when presented with his meal even if it is balanced and healthy. 

Experts say it is mostly the pet parents fault because the dog gets too many choices and is constantly offered the newest products available. Whatever the case may be you cannot accuse an animal lover of intentionally trying to make their pet happy! 

Additionally if you pamper your pet your dog is smart enough to know that if he begs hard enough he will be getting some yummy delicious treats from the dinner table. When your dog practically stares into your mouth what can you do?

In the same breath would you eat regular dog food every day no matter how nutritious or balanced it may be? Yes a dog can survive solely on kibble but why should he when he knows there are plenty of options available to him?

According to the above-mentioned experts its the same problem many people have with their children. If your dog refuses to eat starve him for a couple of days and he’ll eat. Similarly pet owners will not allow their dogs to go hungry no matter what experts say just as most people would not do the same with their children.

Best ways to make picky eaters eat?

Its important to determine what brand or flavor your dog prefers if hes on a commercial food diet wet or dry.

It is a good idea to add wet food to your dogs kibble when it starts refusing to eat. Canning food is more watery and easier to eat it has more flavor and the gravy makes it more enjoyable.

Nonetheless if your pet is still unwilling to eat you can supplement his regular meal with human food. It is possible to add many types of healthy and tasty foods to his food.  

Changing your dogs diet completely to raw food is another option.

Most healthy foods to sprinkle on dog food

You may be able to make your dog gobble up everything in his bowl with a little grated hard cheese or cottage cheese mixed in with his normal food but you cannot rely on it solely since too much might cause problems for your dog. 

A raw egg is a quick and easy way to provide your pet with a healthy meal. Their high protein and fatty acid content make them a great source of iron and vitamins. This would provide his diet with much-needed calcium if you grind the eggshells in the coffee grinder and sprinkle them over his food.

Pumpkin puree has high fiber content and is good for your dogs digestion. You can use pumpkin at any time but it is often recommended for pets who have diarrhea.

You can also add bone or chicken broth to your dogs food to make it more appealing. Just make sure to add it before adding salt to it.

You can mix sardines into your dogs food since they have a lot of Omega-3 fatty acids. Just a few to see just gave him a few to see what he thinks of them.

Fresh vegetables never hurt anyone and your dog might appreciate a little variety in his diet. Blend the vegetables first so they’re easy to blend.

The benefits of raw food for your dog

People who keep their pets on raw food diets rarely complain about their pets being picky eaters. No matter what the dog food commercials claim your pet no matter how big or small is a wolf at heart and always will be. Wet or dry pet food has become so popular because its convenient for owners especially dry kibble which does not spoil easily and can last a whole month. The dogs have never been asked how they feel about processed food.

It is impossible for any dog to resist raw food starting with a juicy bone with some lean meat still attached. In addition it provides a naturally balanced diet with both protein and fat in the right proportions. Rather than the corn and wheat they stuff in processed food your dog needs animal protein.

Raw-fed dogs have regular bowel movements which are smaller and less smelly. In addition raw food makes your dogs coat shinier and you will notice that he is full of energy maybe too much.

In addition to keeping your dogs teeth clean naturally raw food will save you from having to brush your pets teeth every day. It will also save you from having to brush your own teeth.

Its obvious that you would not keep feeding your dog bones all the time. The best thing you can do for your dog is to regularly feed him animal organs such as liver and kidneys raw eggs and vegetables. Fiber is important! Celery broccoli and spinach are the best vegetables for a healthy dog. Donot forget to give him an apple now and then too.

Conclusion

A variety of food is necessary and deserved for dogs. Dogs do not need table scraps as only a few of the foods we eat as humans are good for them. If your dog is a picky eater adding a bit of cheese to the meal will help him eat and provide valuable nutrients.

Keep in mind however that cheeses are generally too high in sodium for dogs. Go easy on hard cheeses such as Parmesan and stick with soft cheeses. Even a light sprinkle every now and then would not harm but there are other options starting with eggs vegetables and raw food.

If you want to read more about dog food tips read here: Dog Food Tips and Tricks.

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