When it comes to scarfing down cheese, dogs and people both cast aside the nutritional aspect of the treat. Halloumi is primarily made keeping our taste buds in mind, and not necessarily for a dog’s diet.
Nevertheless, dogs go crazy over the cheese and can eat as much as you give them. However, our focus is on the topic, can dogs eat halloumi?
The answer to which is yes, dogs can eat halloumi.
Although, only in moderation. Read on to find out more about halloumi and its compatibility with dogs.
Is Halloumi Good for Dogs?
Halloumi is a brined cheese made from either goat, cow, or sheep milk. The brining process increases the salt content in halloumi, which we humans are more than capable of handling.
As for dogs, anything with higher salt concentration leads to health complications like diarrhea and even pancreatitis. Also, the fat content in halloumi makes it ideal for obesity and gastrointestinal related health problems.
It isn’t to say that dogs cannot handle halloumi. It’s just that cheese is not as healthy for dogs as it is for us people.
You may get a little excited seeing your dog jump around, anticipating a cheesy halloumi treat. However, bear in mind that even slightly excess halloumi is going to give your pet an upset stomach.
Are the Nutritional Components of Halloumi Feasible for a Dog’s Diet?
To understand why halloumi is not generally healthy for a dog, you need to know its nutritional profile. The nutritional value of halloumi depends on the type of milk utilized in its manufacture and the salt content.
Also, halloumi differs from brand to brand. Here we will view the nutritional profile of Olympus halloumi, a kind of reduced-salt version of halloumi.
- Protein: approx. 12.3 g
- Calories: approx. 192
- Sugar: approx. 0.6 mg
- Fat: approx. 15.2 g (saturated fat: 10.4 g)
- Sodium: approx. 265 mg
- Carbohydrates: approx. 1.75 g
The fat and sodium content in halloumi allows people to believe that it can be a suitable treat for their dog. While fat and sodium are necessary for your dog, they get enough of it from their daily diet.
Higher intake of sodium leads to health complications like high blood pressure, which also affects dogs similarly. So, if you feel compelled to give your dog a cheesy treat, consult with your vet first.
Related: Are Sunflower Seeds Safe for Dogs?
Is the Mineral Content in Halloumi Good for Dogs?
Halloumi naturally contains multiple essential nutrients like zinc, calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin A, protein, and more. Your pet requires these nutrients daily for improved health and well-being.
In small amounts, your furry friend should have no issues digesting the cheese. Although, if you are already supplying these nutrients in your dog’s daily diet food, over-dosing might not be a good idea.
How Should You Go About Feeding Halloumi to Your Dog?
Again, just to be clear, not all dogs can handle halloumi. Eating halloumi and tolerating what comes after eating it are two different things.
Bear in mind that your pet may not have had anything like halloumi before. Introducing the cheesy snack out of nowhere may have its consequences.
Here are a few crucial pointers to take note of before handing over the treat to your furry friend.
Always in Moderation
Halloumi is a brined cheese, which implies that the salt content in it gets concentrated with time. The fatty cheese is chock full of fat and sodium, which, when given to a dog, can cause life-threatening issues.
Halloumi is best given to your pet infrequently and in meager amounts. If you are considering giving your pooch halloumi as a treat, ensure it is also sparsely fed.
Keep in mind that your pooch’s daily diet already ensures he receives an optimal concentration of vitamins and minerals. You would not want to mess up his health by giving halloumi in excess, causing unnecessary health issues.
Lactose Compatibility
Since halloumi is a dairy product, the issue of lactose tolerance arises when it comes to feeding it to your pet. Most dogs lose the capability of digesting milk products as they grow up.
Interestingly, a few of them retain the persistence of being able to break down milk products effortlessly. You must be 100% certain of your dog’s capability of being lactose tolerant or intolerant when introducing halloumi.
Be aware of the symptoms of lactose intolerance, just in case the halloumi starts to cause trouble in your pet’s tummy.
Avoid Garnished Halloumi
When purchasing packaged halloumi, some brands wrap the halloumi in mint leaves to add freshness and taste. Mint may be suitable for dogs in minimal quantity, but being safe is better than being sorry.
A variety of mint called English pennyroyal is known to be toxic to dogs. Since you don’t know what sort of mint comes with packaged halloumi, steer clear of mint altogether.
Plain is Best
Halloumi is often recommended raw when feeding it to your pet dog. The cheese is naturally rich in fat and sodium. Adding any more spices or frying the cheese in olive oil may be a taste enhancer for us but is fatal for dogs.
Digestive issues like bloating are merely the start of a rough journey if they eat any spiced halloumi. Garlic and onions are toxic and should be avoided entirely.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Pizza?
When is Halloumi Good for Dogs?
You know that you cannot make halloumi a regular part of your pet’s diet due to its nutritional dangers. In which case, halloumi makes for the perfect treat for your pup when it accomplishes a challenging training feat.
Since halloumi is loaded with calcium, sodium, and other essential vitamins, it serves as an ideal health booster. Of course, this boost is infrequently moderate in portions.
When is Halloumi Bad for Dogs?
The main concern with halloumi and dogs is their lactose intolerance. If your pet has zero-tolerance for milk products, serving halloumi is out of the question. If your pet has moderate lactose tolerance, halloumi can be given sparingly.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Tamales?
Summing Up
Halloumi, with its rich content, will surely attract your furry friends for a meal if left unsupervised. Now that you know the resolution behind the query, can dogs eat halloumi, you can treat your pet accordingly.
All you need to make sure of is occasional treats of halloumi. Your pet will love you forever for the cheesy treat!
