No. Dogs cannot eat blue cheese, which is toxic when consumed. Blue cheese is made of fungus, which produces a substance called roquefortine C that can make dogs sick. Roquefortine C leads to vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and high temperatures. Never hesitate to contact your vet when you find that your dog has consumed a large amount of blue cheese.
Table of Contents
What is Blue Cheese?
Blue cheese is made with edible mold Penicillium, giving blue and green-hued veins. Semi-soft with a sharp and salty taste. Their distinct smell is caused by the mold or bacteria called Brevibacterium linens. Blue cheese had to be aged in temperature-controlled environments. As a result, blue cheese has a rich flavor and aroma, making it similar to other cheese varieties.
History of Blue Cheese
Blue cheese was accidentally discovered when the cheeses were stored in the caves with naturally controlled environments. Archeological studies have found that the miners in Austria consumed the blue cheese between 800 and 400 BC. Another story tells that a young boy abandoned his delicious meal of bread and sheep milk cheese in a cave when he saw a beautiful girl. When he returned to the spot after many months, the mold on the cheese led to blue cheese. Gorgonzola is one of the oldest cheese varieties, created around 879 AD. Eventually, wide varieties of blue cheeses came into existence, with Stilton becoming popular in the early 1700s.
Blue Cheese Nutritional Value
Blue cheese is rich in nutrients and offers high levels of calcium compared to the other varieties of cheese. They are rich in nutrients and contain
Carbohydrates
Protein – 1%
Fat – 1%
Calories
Fiber
Sugar
sodium
A 3.5 oz of blue cheese contains the below nutritional value:
Calories
353
Carbohydrates
2.3g
Sugars
0.5g
Dietary Fiber
0
Fat
29g
Protein
21g
Vitamin B6
10%
Vitamin C
0%
Vitamin D
5%
Calcium
52%
Iron
1%
Magnesium
5%
Phosphorus
38 mg
Ideally, blue cheese is rich in dietary fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and vitamin A.
Is Blue Cheese Safe for Dogs?
Blue cheese is unsafe for dogs and causes an adverse reaction when consumed. The fungus in the blue cheese leads to health hazards and makes blue cheese toxic to dogs. Blue cheese is toxic and has no health benefits for dogs.
If your dog consumes blue cheese, look for symptoms like
Diarrhea
High temperatures
Vomiting
Why is Blue Cheese Bad for Dogs?
Blue cheese is bad for dogs due to a substance called Roquefortine C produced by the fungus present in the cheese. High consumption of blue cheese causes seizures in dogs.
Roquefortine C – This moldy content found in blue cheese causes vomiting, panting, muscle tremors, paddling, hyperesthesia, and seizures. RQ poisoning can be fatal and can sometimes lead to death. However, adverse effects can be prevented by early vomiting and removing the toxin from the stomach.
What if My Dog Eats Blue Cheese?
Blue cheese is hazardous to dogs and should be kept away from dogs. However, it may not be a problem if your dog tastes a bite accidentally. Consumption of a large quantity of blue cheese leads to the below effects.
Vomiting
Seizures
Panting
Disorientation
Muscle tremors
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
High temperatures
Contact your vet immediately to prevent serious situations. The poisoning due to blue cheese can be treated by early vomiting and removing the toxins from the stomach.
Alternatives To Blue Cheese
The healthy alternatives to blue cheese that can be fed to your dog include
No, diabetic dogs cannot eat blue cheese as it poses a health risk when consumed.
How healthy is blue cheese to dogs?
Blue cheese is not healthy for dogs and does not contain nutritional value.
Will the dog die after eating blue cheese?
Taking a bite or two will not harm the dog. However, eating blue cheese in large quantities will pose high health risks.
Final Thoughts
Blue cheese should not be fed to dogs as they are toxic. Blue cheese contains toxic ingredients which make the dog sick. Blue cheese has no health benefits and should be kept away from dogs. If your dog accidentally consumes blue cheese, contact your nearby vet immediately.
