Most people enjoy paneer and paneer-based food items. But what if your dog consumes a generous amount of paneer?
Should you share paneer with your furry little canine friend? Or should you refrain him from eating paneer? Are you confused regarding whether or not dogs can eat up large amounts of paneer?
In this article, we will go through the health benefits and potential risks caused in dogs after consuming paneer. Let’s get started!
Is Paneer Good For Dogs?
Paneer is basically made from a blend of cow’s and buffalo’s milk. Dogs can reap several essential benefits from paneer. In fact, your vet might have often recommended you to feed paneer to your dog when he had an upset stomach.
Not only a rich source of protein for dogs, but paneer is a great way to make a bland diet tastier. Unlike other dairy products that lactose-intolerant dogs just cannot bear, paneer has very small amounts of lactose content.
TIP: We recommend feeding your dog the variant of paneer that is low in fat and sodium content. Moreover, if you have prepared a paneer at home, do not forget to squeeze out the extra liquid content before feeding it to your adorable doggo.
What Quantity Of Paneer Should You Feed To Your Dog?
Moderate amounts of paneer are very healthy for dogs, but excess consumption will surely backfire. Mind you, just because paneer has loads of health benefits does not mean that you overfeed it to your four-legged furry friend.
Smart pet owners know that paneer should be less than 10% of their dog’s daily dietary consumption. Moreover, the appropriate quantity of feeding paneer depends on your dog’s weight, height, size, and pedigree.
For instance, two spoonfuls of paneer given daily are alright for medium-sized dogs. You can also simply keep some paneer for those days when your dog suffers from gastric issues.
But more than the above-suggested amount would not do any good to your dog’s gastrointestinal system and overall metabolism.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Paneer In Dogs?
Do not get scared by the side effects of paneer! It might actually be a wonder food for dogs if served in appropriate amounts. The following benefits are seen in dogs thanks to paneer:
- The high protein content of paneer enhances your dog’s physical health and physiological processes. Paneer improves your dog’s tolerance for tiring exercises and activities. Moreover, the protein content of paneer adds up to your doggo’s longevity.
- Did you know 100 grams of paneer consist of a massive 83 grams of calcium? An excellent source of calcium, paneer strengthens your dog’s teeth, bones and tissues, thus, increasing his endurance.
- Paneer contains very low fat content, making it an excellent option for your dog’s frequent treats. As paneer is lower in fat content than other cheeses, it also brings down the risk of obesity in your dog.
- Besides calcium, paneer is also a storehouse of magnesium. The magnesium content in paneer helps your dog regulate his blood sugar levels. Magnesium also strengthens your dog’s immunity and defends his heart against diseases.
- If your dog is suffering from diarrhea, vets recommend feeding him a combination of paneer along with boiled potatoes and boiled skinless chicken. You can feed this bland diet after giving him lots of water to prevent dehydration.
What are the side effects of paneer in dogs?
The following side effects are observed in dogs if you feed them large amounts of paneer daily:
- As paneer is made by combining buffalo’s and cow’s milk, it can increase stomach pain in your lactose intolerant doggo.
- You must know whether your dog is lactose intolerant or not. If he is not, moderate amounts of paneer will not harm him. However, if he is lactose intolerant, paneer can induce vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in him.
- Due to high concentrations of sodium, excessive consumption of paneer results in kidney failure and cardiovascular risks in dogs.
- Large amounts of sodium in paneer also result in high blood pressure in your dog. Moreover, excessive sodium concentration inside their body is most likely to cause hypernatremia in dogs.
WARNING: You should be wary of your dog’s pancreatic health while feeding him paneer. If your dog experienced serious diseases like pancreatitis in the past, you must consult your vet before giving him paneer.
FAQs
- Can nursing dogs eat paneer?
No. Nursing dogs should not consume even moderate amounts of paneer.
Excessive consumption of paneer by your nursing dog is highly likely to suppress her parathyroid hormone production. It can very certainly make her prone to developing low blood calcium levels.
- Can dogs with diarrhea eat paneer?
Yes, absolutely. Paneer relieves your dog’s dog’s gastrointestinal system due to its rich calcium, protein, and phosphorus content. Many pet owners often use paneer in their dog’s temporary bland diet mixture for curing their stomach upset and diarrhea.
Conclusion
Till now we have gone through all the risks and benefits attached to giving paneer to your dogs. We know that sometimes it is a little confusing to understand whether dogs should consume paneer or not.
On the one hand, it is very nutritious for your canine friends. But on the other hand, your lactose intolerant dog might get a lot of trouble after eating paneer.
However, the bottom line is really simple: moderate amounts of paneer are a great source of nutrition for dogs. Also, it is a great supplement for your dog suffering from diarrhea. Moreover, you must be careful regarding the quantity of paneer towards the end of your dog’s pregnancy period.
We hope the information in this article has resolved your doubts. By now, you must have decided if you should feed paneer to your dogs. And you would have also realised what amount of paneer is okay for your pooch.
Do you remember the first time your dog gulped down a handful of raw paneer pieces? Please feel free to share your dog stories, doubts, and suggestions (if any) in the comments section below.
Dr. Aram Baker has been with Santa Clarita Animal Hospital since 1995 and his special interests include behaviour medicine and dermatology. He graduated from the Cleveland Humanities Magnet Program in Reseda, CA and attended California State University at Northridge where he received a Bachelor’s degree in biology. He went on to pursue his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of California at Davis. He also spent time in the zoological medicine department at U.C. Davis during his Junior and Senior years. He is dedicated to caring for all pets big or small, young or old with compassion, patience, kindness, and love.