Can Dogs Eat Cheesecake? What To Know Before Your Dog Eats Cheesecake

I know this may be a little off from my regular cheesecake recipes and tips, however, I often get asked the question, Can dogs eat cheesecake? So I felt it was time to put my research into a post to answer it.

As dog owners, we have all had them sneak something off of a plate a time or two. Or maybe we just love to share goodies with our dogs. But what about when it comes to cheesecake? Can dogs eat cheesecake? 

What Is Cheesecake? 

Cheesecake is a dessert that is very rich and creamy. It has a soft texture, and it’s usually made with a mix of different types of soft cheese, such as cream cheese, cottage cheese, or ricotta. It can also include sour cream and heavy cream depending on the type of cheesecake.

There is normally a cheesecake crust that is normally made from graham cracker crumbs and butter. But it can also be made from other items such as cookies or nuts.

The cheesecake itself is the star of the dish, but there are other options that you can add to your cheesecake to make it extra special. Such as making strawberry cheesecake, chocolate cheesecake as well as flavorings.

The origin of cheesecake was believed to have started in ancient Greece. For more details check out our post on cheesecake history.

Can Dogs Eat Cheesecake?

The answer to the question can dogs eat cheesecake can not be summed up in a short answer of yes or no. That is because many things come into play when considering letting your dog eat cheesecake.

We are going to dive deep into the question to find the best answer. If you are just looking for a short, simple answer, then feel free to scroll down to the summary where we will just cover the basics.

Should Dogs Eat Cheesecake?

Let’s start with should dogs eat cheesecake. Just like people it is not good for dogs to eat a lot of sugar and fats. So it really is not the best idea to feed your dog cheesecake and most human foods.

It can lead to overeating, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart problems among many other issues.

I know that some dogs are very picky eaters and they do not like certain foods. But for the most part, it is just not a good idea to feed your dog cheesecake. 

Is Cheesecake Safe For Dogs To Eat?

The question of whether dogs are allowed to eat cheesecake has been a source of debate for centuries. Many dog owners consider cheesecake safe for their pets, while others don’t allow it in the house. The truth is that it really depends on the specific type of cheesecake and the ingredients used to make it.

In this article, we’ll cover the pros and cons of allowing your dog to eat cheesecake and how to keep him safe from it.

Ingredients in Cheesecake That Are Toxic to Dogs:

While it all depends on the type of cheesecake the ingredients can vary. So we are going to go over a few of the most popular toxic ingredients that can be in a cheesecake that are toxic to our furry friend. 

Raisins:

Raisin cheesecake is toxic to dogs. If they eat raisins, they can experience severe gastrointestinal issues or even kidney failure after consuming raisins or grapes.

Chocolate:

Contains methylxanthines which is a compound that is poisonous to dogs. While it depends on the size of the dog and how much chocolate they eat it can lead to death. It will also depend on if they eat milk chocolate or dark chocolate as dark chocolate is more toxic.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in a dog are; Diarrhea, Vomiting, Increased urination,  Restlessness, Elevated or abnormal heart rate, Tremors,  Seizures, and even death.

Symptoms normally show up around 6 to 12 hours after your dog has eaten chocolate.

Avocado:

While avocados may be healthy for people to have they can act as a type of poison for dogs. Causing diarrhea and vomiting.

Macadamia Nuts:

While it may be a super tasty nut, for dogs it can bring on vomiting, overheating, and/or weakness.

Xylitol:

If you have a sugar-free cheesecake chances are it contains Xylitol. That is super toxic to dogs and can bring on the following symptoms. Weakness and seizures from a rapid drop in blood sugar. In some cases, it can even result in liver failure. This can also be found in a lot of fruit toppings and even peanut butter. So be sure to read labels carefully.

Cheese and Dairy Products & Dogs:

While some dogs can handle small quantities of cheese and other dairy products, there are also those that can not. Just like humans, there are also some lactose-intolerant dogs. So when those dogs eat dairy products it can cause stomach upset, abdominal pain, as well as other digestive problems.

In either case, no dog can tolerate large quantities of dairy.

Is Graham Crackers Safe For Dogs To Eat?

As long as the graham crackers don’t contain anything from the toxic list such as Xylitol, they can be eaten. But because they do not have any nutritional value and also have lots of sugar in them, they should be given sparingly. If given in large amounts it can lead to dental cavities and other health issues.

Before Your Dog Eats Cheesecake:

First, it is always a good idea to check with your vet before giving any new food to your dog. 

However, if you are going to feed your four-legged friends a piece of cheesecake there are a few things you should do first. 

READ the label to make sure there is nothing toxic to dogs first. Then the best thing to do is to start with a very small amount even just a single bite and wait several hours to see if your dog has an allergic reaction,  adverse effects, or any other health problems.

Remember Occasional Treat Only:

For a healthy dog, a single slice of cheesecake may be ok to give as a sweet treat as long as it does not include any toxic ingredients. However, it should stay just that, a special treat.

A dog’s stomach is not that large, so it is important to feed a healthy diet with lots of nutritional value.

Also if you add a lot of this delicious treat to your dog’s diet it can cause an upset stomach, weight gain as well as other health issues. That is due to the high dairy content, high fat content, and high sugar content.

So while it may be technically ok to give a small amount of cheesecake on a special occasion it really is not a good choice or the healthiest treat. You may just want to stick to a more healthy dog treat.

Cheesecake Recipes For Dogs:

If you are really in the mindset that you want to feed your dog a cheesecake treat but also want to avoid health issues, you can always make it at home. You will simply just avoid the common ingredients in a plain cheesecake or most cheesecakes that is, and replace them with healthier dog-friendly options. 

If you are looking for dog cheesecake recipe ideas, here are a few to check out.

High-Protein Cheesecake Treats for Dogs [Recipe] – Rover.com

Can Dogs Eat Cheesecake Summary; TLDR;

It is ok if a dog eats cheesecake in small amounts as long as they do not have lactose intolerance and the cheesecake is not made with ingredients that are toxic to dogs.

However, it is not good for your dog’s health to have it on regular bases or in large amounts. Just like people, all dogs handle things differently.

So there is always a chance that your dog could have an adverse reaction if they eat cheesecake.