One of the most efficient ways to enhance the flavor of a hot sandwich or nachos is to add a bit of pepper jack cheese to them. After all, it melts very well, and you can even use it in Mexican dishes.
But is this cheese something your dog can eat? Is it safe for them?
In this post, we’ll take an in-depth look at this delicacy and figure out if your dog can eat pepper jack cheese.
What Is Pepper Jack Cheese?
Pepper Jack cheese is a variant of Monterey Jack that combines the creamy, buttery flavor with the pepper’s spiciness.
Mexican Franciscan friars of Monterey is the one who first came up with the recipe for Monterey cheese. Later on, David Jack, a businessman from California, further developed and marketed this cheese.
Nowadays, it’s among the most popular cheese types throughout the globe.
Also, due to its moist texture, this cheese goes well with barbecued meat, steak, and burgers. Also, you can use it to add flavor to nachos and sandwiches quickly.
Ingredients Of Pepper Jack Cheese
Usually, the ingredients for this cheese includes,
- Milk
- Cheese culture
- Serrano peppers
- Jalapeno peppers
- Habanero peppers
- Enzymes
- Salt
The mixture of several peppers allows this cheese to have an intense flavor. Still, this also means that some people can’t enjoy this delicacy due to spice intolerance.
Can Your Dog Eat Pepper Jack Cheese?
Most dog breeds have a robust digestive system to break down cheese to some extent. As such, your dog can eat pepper jack cheese in moderation.
After all, this cheese contains lactose, spices, and salt. Fortunately, unlike the other standard cheese, the pepper jack has little lactose. Thus, your furry buddy should be able to eat a little bit of this cheese without any issues.
However, most cheese types have a high-calorie count. So, you’ll have to be careful about not giving your canine pal too much of any dairy product.
Additionally, there are some variants of recipes for pepper jack cheese. Unfortunately, some of these recipes may include spices that are toxic to your pup.
So, at a glance, giving peeper jack cheese to your dog may cause,
- Pancreatitis and obesity
- Stomach upset
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Food poisoning
Aside from these, some dogs are allergic to spices and other cheese ingredients. As such, if you plan to share this savory cheese with your pet pal, make sure to give them tiny amounts at first to be safe.
To learn more about your dog’s diet, check out “Can Dogs Eat Peeps?“
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Pepper Jack Cheese?
Dogs can be hyperactive, so it’s pretty challenging to keep an eye on them. Therefore, your four-legged friend can eat a bit more food than they should accidentally.
Thus, if your dog has eaten a lot of pepper jack cheese, you should consult a veterinarian immediately.
If the vet determines that the dog is healthy enough to handle the pepper jack cheese, they will prescribe a laxative. This method will help eliminate the pepper jack cheese from your dog’s system.
Also, you may want to give them ample clean drinking water. It’ll let your buddy combat food poisoning more effectively.
For emergencies, you can use sites like yourfuzzy that offer 24/7 digital access to vets and treatment.
Moreover, your local animal shelter services often have pet experts on duty. These experienced people can offer you practical advice if you need to stabilize the condition of your canine buddy.
Can Puppies Eat Pepper Jack Cheese?
While puppies can eat pepper jack cheese, it might be better not no offer them this food.
The tolerance for spicy food builds up with time, and most full-grown dogs’ digestive systems can break down cheese ingredients. But, puppies usually don’t have the same level of tolerance for spices, peppers, and salt.
Therefore, miniature dog breeds and puppies should avoid eating pepper jack cheese.
Bottom Line
A dog that eats suitable food will live longer and stay healthy throughout the years. Thus, giving them a pure kibble or canine diet would be safer. Nonetheless, it can be tempting to offer some human food to your furry buddy.
In such cases, you’ll have to make sure that your pet is not allergic to the food or the recipe does not include any toxic ingredients to your pet.
However, pepper jack cheese does offer some health benefits besides posing some risks. So you may give this to your furry friend occasionally and in moderation.