Cheese

Cheesemakers separate milk into curds and whey. Cheese is the intended product; whey is the leftover. Some processors dry cheese trimmings for use in pet food, but a label listing cheese does not identify that source.^4,5,7

1. 01 // Source Milk Milk supplies the fat and proteins that become concentrated in the curd.
2. 02 // Process Set the curd Cultures develop acidity, and a coagulant sets the milk so curds separate from liquid whey.
3. 03 // Process Drain and finish Whey drains away; salting, pressing and aging depend on the cheese style.
4. 04 // Output Finished cheese The cheese carries milk fat, protein and minerals into a pet food recipe.

1. 01

   Adds a familiar flavor

   Manufacturers use cheese for its recognizable aroma and taste. A supplier markets dried cheese for kibble coatings and recipes, but that does not tell you how much plain cheese a recipe contains.^6,7

2. 02

   Contributes milk nutrients

   The curd retains milk fat, protein and calcium. How much reaches the dog depends on the recipe amount, which the ingredient list does not disclose.^4,8

3. 03

   Creates a trim market

   One dried cheese supplier uses trimmings, ends and pieces, giving dairy processors another outlet for usable cheese. A label listing cheese does not reveal whether the manufacturer bought trim.⁷

How much One supplier suggests 1 to 10% for dried cheese powder; it gives no equivalent amount for cheese listed without that qualifier.⁷

1. Brands say

   Cheese adds protein and calcium

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   A university table lists cheddar at 24.9% protein and 0.72% calcium as sold. Those nutrients are real. Without the recipe amount, the label cannot show how much they contribute to the finished food.^4,8

2. Vets say

   Dairy can trigger a food allergy

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   A review of food challenge reports found dairy reactions in 51 of 297 dogs with proven food reactions. That supports avoiding cheese for a dog with a diagnosed dairy allergy; it does not measure risk for an average dog.²

3. Brands say

   Dogs love cheese flavor in kibble

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   The one dog preference study tested baits, not kibble. Offered 7 flavors in pairs, 13 dogs picked dog-food flavor first 56% of the time, more than every other flavor, cheese included. No study shows cheese improves a kibble's acceptance.³

4. Owners say

   All cheese makes dogs sick from lactose

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   In a 21-day trial of 40 dogs selected for lactose intolerance, ordinary milk powder caused digestive signs while lactose-free powder did not. The trial tested milk powder, not cheese, and cheesemaking removes varying amounts of lactose.^1,4,5

5. Critics say

   Cheese is just filler

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   Typical cheddar contains 25% protein and 33% fat as sold. Cheese supplies nutrients and flavor, although an unknown recipe amount prevents any claim that it carries the food's nutrition.^6,8