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Is It Safe For Dogs To Eat Mozzarella Sticks?

Is there a more comfortable dish than a plate of gooey mozzarella sticks? We do not agree!

The next time you have a tray of perfectly golden mozzarella sticks, your dog may be sniffing about inquisitively to determine what that enticing aroma is. Can you tear off a piece of your delectable food and share mozzarella sticks with your dog? Is it secure?

The solution is not that straightforward. Your dog can probably safely consume mozzarella cheese.

Continue reading "Is It Safe for Dogs To Eat Mozzarella Sticks?" by BestForPets (bestforpets.org) to learn more.

What Are Mozzarella Sticks?

If you are unfamiliar with traditional American food, allow us to enlighten you.

Mozzarella sticks are mozzarella cheese that has been fried or breaded. They are deep-fried to achieve a golden, crispy, and cheesy finish. They are typically served as an appetizer with marinara sauce for dipping.

Can Dogs Eat Cheese?

Cheese is healthy for dogs to consume, but there are some factors to keep in mind before doing so. Cheese is really fatty. Overfeeding can cause your dog (and you) to gain weight. So, it is advisable to feed your dog low-fat cheeses like goat cheese, cottage cheese, or mozzarella.

Some cheese contains ingredients that are poisonous to dogs, such as garlic and onions. Don’t feed your dog mozzarella sticks if you don’t know what ingredients are in the cheese.

Some canines are lactose intolerant and cannot properly digest dairy items. Cheese typically contains far less lactose than whole milk, but dogs with severe lactose intolerance may respond even to modest amounts of cheese. Mozzarella has less lactose than other cheeses, but it should still be avoided if your dog is lactose intolerant.

Mozz sticks are high in saturated fat and salt, thus you should avoid eating them. An excessive amount of salt can lead to hypernatremia, or higher-than-average blood sodium concentrations, in your dog. This can lead to increased thirst, disorientation, vomiting, diarrhea, comas, and even seizures.

Are There Benefits of Cheese?

In comparison to other cheeses, mozzarella has fewer calories and fat. In addition, it includes probiotics that aid in digestion and reduce the growth of dangerous bacteria. It is also an excellent source of vitamin B7 (biotin), which can aid in the treatment of skin disorders and may have a role in digestion and muscle building.

Some trainers use cheese to motivate treat-motivated canines. It is also an ideal approach for owners to conceal medicines for their dogs.

What About the Breading?

Much of the appeal of a nicely deep-fried mozzarella stick is its crisp covering. Nevertheless, would this breading injure your dog? It might.

If you make mozzarella sticks from scratch, you will know precisely what goes into the breading or batter. Nevertheless, there is no way to tell what extra ingredients are used when ordering them from a restaurant. So, it is better not to feed your dog any of the breading.

Can Dogs Eat Marinara Sauce?

Your dog should not consume marinara sauce or any other sauce containing tomatoes. Both store-bought and homemade marinara sauces contain components that are hazardous to dogs, such as onions and garlic. This dip is often heavy in salt, which can cause dehydration when consumed in excess.

How to Serve Mozzarella Sticks to Your Dog

As mozzarella sticks are heavy in fat and sodium, we do not advocate feeding them to your dog on a daily basis. If you are eating mozzarella sticks for supper AND you cut off a tiny piece and give your dog a taste of the cheese (not the breading), it probably won’t be an issue, but it is recommended to feed in moderation.

Final Thoughts

As clarified in “Is It Safe for Dogs To Eat Mozzarella Sticks?” by BestForPets (bestforpets.org), while mozzarella cheese does provide some health advantages for dogs, these benefits are mainly nullified by the fact that mozzarella sticks are heavy in fat, salt, and are deep-fried.

Providing your dog is not lactose-intolerant, a tiny amount of cheese generally won’t damage him or her.

In general, there are far tastier and healthier treats manufactured expressly for dogs that you should serve your dog if it demonstrates an interest in your mozzarella sticks.

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Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher

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