Can dogs eat dairy? Some of it, in small amounts. Dairy isn’t poisonous to dogs, and a small cube of plain cheese or a spoonful of plain yogurt is a fine treat for a dog that handles it well. But many adult dogs don’t digest lactose, the sugar in milk, very well, and most dairy foods are high in fat. Ice cream and mac and cheese add sugar, salt and seasonings on top of that. A few dairy foods are dangerous: blue cheese, anything made with chocolate, coffee, raisins or macadamia nuts, sugar-free products sweetened with xylitol, and cheeses or dips flavored with onion, garlic or chives.
Fine as an occasional treat: a small cube or a few shreds of plain, lower-fat cheese such as mozzarella or cottage cheese; a spoonful of plain, unsweetened yogurt.
Only a taste: plain whipped cream (including a pup cup) and plain sour cream. Both are mostly fat.
Skip: ice cream, mac and cheese, butter and store-bought frozen yogurt. A lick of plain vanilla ice cream or a stolen mouthful of mac and cheese is unlikely to hurt a healthy dog, but don’t feed them on purpose.
Never: blue cheese; moldy cheese; chocolate, coffee, matcha, rum raisin or macadamia nut ice cream; anything sugar-free that lists xylitol (also called birch sugar); and cheese, cream cheese, sour cream or dips flavored with onion, garlic or chives.
Plain cheese is fine for most dogs in small pieces. Choose lower-fat kinds such as mozzarella and cottage cheese. No blue cheese, and no cheese with garlic, onion or chives.
Not toxic when plain, but loaded with sugar, fat and lactose. Chocolate, coffee, raisin, macadamia nut and sugar-free (xylitol) ice creams are dangerous.
A teaspoon for a small dog or a tablespoon for a large one, now and then. Never sugar-free whipped cream, which may contain xylitol.
What the verdicts mean:Safe means a healthy treat when prepared as described. In moderation means fine occasionally, with a catch. Avoid means don’t feed it on purpose; the section explains what to do if your dog has already eaten some. Toxic means it can poison a dog, so call your vet if your dog eats it. Looking for milk, yogurt, butter, cottage cheese, cream cheese, blue cheese, kefir or pup cups? They are in the second chart further down.
Five rules for dairy
Keep it to 10%. PetMD’s rule is that 90% of a dog’s diet should come from complete dog food, and the other 10% can come from treats of every kind, including human foods. Cheese, cream and ice cream are rich, so a little uses that up fast.
Start small and watch. PetMD advises starting with small amounts and watching for vomiting, diarrhea, bloating and gas. If even a little gives your dog the runs, dairy isn’t the snack for them.
Plain only, and read the label. Look for xylitol (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it may also be listed as birch sugar or wood sugar), chocolate or cocoa, coffee, raisins, macadamia nuts, and onion, garlic or chives.
Choose lower-fat, lower-lactose dairy. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends low-fat cheeses such as mozzarella and cottage cheese. Hepper’s vet-reviewed dairy guide says milk, whipped cream and ice cream have more lactose, and hard cheeses have less. The AKC adds that yogurt contains less lactose because it is fermented.
Ask your vet first if your dog has had pancreatitis, is overweight or diabetic, eats a low-fat or prescription diet, or is taking antibiotics. PetMD says dogs on veterinary diets shouldn’t be fed anything outside the diet unless the vet says it’s fine.
Are dogs lactose intolerant?
Many are, to some degree. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center explains that pets don’t have significant amounts of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down the lactose in milk, so milk and other dairy products can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset. Puppies make lactase while they are nursing. After they are weaned, the AKC says, their bodies produce less of it. Dr. Jerry Klein, the AKC’s chief veterinarian, says many adult dogs are lactose intolerant to varying degrees.
How common is it? The references don’t agree. PetMD says most dogs are lactose intolerant, the AKC’s milk guide says many are, and one AKC food list calls it rare but possible. None of them gives a number, so the practical test is a very small amount of a plain dairy food. VCA Animal Hospitals lists diarrhea, bloating and belly discomfort as the signs of lactose intolerance. PetMD adds vomiting, gas and a reduced appetite, and says to contact your vet if the signs are severe or last more than 12 hours.
A dairy allergy is a different problem. VCA explains that a food intolerance doesn’t involve the immune system, while a food allergy does. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists dairy products among the most common food allergens in dogs, along with beef, chicken, wheat and lamb, and says the most commonly reported sign is itching. Ear infections and digestive trouble are common too. Food allergies themselves are not common: Merck puts them at 1 to 2% of dogs receiving any form of veterinary care. A dog with a dairy allergy shouldn’t have dairy at all. See our guide to food allergies in dogs.
Dairy foods dogs should never eat
Blue cheese. PetMD lists blue cheese as not safe for dogs because it contains a substance called roquefortine, which it describes as toxic. Dogster’s vet-reviewed cheese guide says blue cheese can make a dog sick, with diarrhea, vomiting, fever and seizures, and its dairy guide names Gorgonzola and Roquefort among the blue-veined cheeses to avoid.
Moldy cheese and other moldy dairy. Pet Poison Helpline says the toxins that molds produce may be found in moldy bread, pasta, cheese and nuts, and can cause vomiting, agitation, loss of coordination, tremors and seizures. The Merck Veterinary Manual names dairy products among the moldy foods involved and says signs can start within one to two hours. Keep the trash and the compost out of reach.
Chocolate, coffee and matcha flavors. The ASPCA says chocolate, coffee and caffeine can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, and hyperactivity, and that the darker the chocolate or the higher the caffeine content, the greater the risk. See chocolate in our sweets guide.
Raisins and macadamia nuts. Rum raisin ice cream, trail-mix toppings and macadamia nut flavors are out. The ASPCA says grapes and raisins can lead to kidney damage, and that macadamia nuts can cause weakness, loss of coordination, vomiting, tremors and a high temperature. See grapes and raisins and macadamia nuts.
Anything sweetened with xylitol. The FDA’s list of products that can contain xylitol includes sugar-free desserts such as “skinny” ice cream, and PetMD warns never to give a dog yogurt that contains it. The FDA says a dog’s blood sugar can drop within 10 to 60 minutes of eating xylitol. The ASPCA says liver damage can follow within 12 to 24 hours.
Dairy flavored with onion, garlic or chives. That includes garlic-and-herb cheeses, chive cream cheese and sour cream and onion dip. The AKC notes that some cheeses contain garlic, onions or chives, which are toxic to dogs, and that onion and garlic powders are even more potent than fresh onions. The ASPCA says these plants damage red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. See onions and garlic in our vegetable guide.
When to call your vet
Call your vet right away, without waiting for symptoms, if your dog eats anything sweetened with xylitol, a dairy food made with chocolate, coffee, raisins or macadamia nuts, blue cheese or moldy cheese, or a dip or cheese flavored with onion, garlic or chives. Have the package ready if there is one, and tell the vet what your dog ate, how much, when, and what your dog weighs. Call, too, if a small dog eats a large amount of butter or any other very fatty food. PetMD says to contact your vet immediately if a dog eats a large amount of salted butter.
For plain dairy, most dogs get no more than an upset stomach. Call if you see any of these signs: repeated vomiting, a dog that can’t keep food or water down, diarrhea or other signs that are severe or last more than 12 hours, a painful or swollen belly, refusing food, unusual tiredness, weakness, wobbling, tremors or seizures. Signs of pancreatitis can take a day or more to show, and the AKC warns that poisoning from garlic and onions may have delayed symptoms, so keep watching for a few days.
If your vet is closed, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is open around the clock at (888) 426-4435, and the Pet Poison Helpline is at (855) 764-7661. A consultation fee may apply. Don’t try to make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Can dogs eat cheese?
Yes, in small amounts. Plain cheese is safe for most dogs and makes a handy training treat, but it is high in fat, and some dogs can’t tolerate it.
Why: The AKC’s answer is a plain “yes, dogs can eat cheese,” and it calls cheese a great training reward, especially for puppies. PetMD’s vet-reviewed guide agrees that dogs generally tolerate many varieties. The catches are fat, salt and lactose. The AKC warns that feeding too much cheese regularly can cause weight gain and obesity, and could lead to pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal illness in dogs. It adds that cheese contains little lactose compared with whole milk, but that dogs with severe lactose intolerance may react to it even in small quantities.
The best cheeses for dogs: The AKC recommends low-fat cheeses such as mozzarella, cottage cheese or soft goat cheese. PetMD rates mozzarella, cottage cheese and goat cheese “yes, in moderation.” It rates American cheese, cheddar, cream cheese, Parmesan, Brie, feta, Gouda and provolone “yes, occasionally,” because they are higher in saturated fat, salt or lactose. The references differ on a few of these. The AKC says cottage cheese is lower in lactose, while PetMD says it is still high in lactose. Dogster’s vet-reviewed cheese guide puts goat cheese, cream cheese, Brie, feta and provolone on its don’t-feed list. If you want a safe pick, plain mozzarella and plain cottage cheese are on everyone’s list.
Cheeses to keep away from your dog: Blue cheese (see the list above). Any cheese flavored with garlic, onion or chives, which the AKC notes are toxic to dogs. Moldy cheese from the back of the fridge or the trash. Dogster and Hepper’s vet-reviewed guides also advise against very salty cheeses such as feta.
How much: PetMD’s guide for a healthy-weight dog, a few times a week at most, is 1 to 2 pea-size pieces for dogs of 2 to 10 pounds; 1 to 2 cubes (about ¼ inch square) for dogs of 11 to 20 pounds; 3 to 4 cubes for 21 to 50 pounds; 5 to 6 cubes for 51 to 90 pounds; and 7 to 8 cubes for dogs over 90 pounds. The AKC puts it more simply: a small cube or a few shreds is usually enough for training or as a reward. PetMD says to cut cheese into small cubes or shred it.
Hiding pills in cheese: The AKC and PetMD both say cheese is a good way to hide a pill. There is one caution. VCA Animal Hospitals says the antibiotic doxycycline shouldn’t be given with food containing dairy, because calcium can block the medication, and that tetracycline shouldn’t be given with milk or other dairy products. Ask your vet before you hide an antibiotic in cheese. For other options, see our guide to the best foods to hide dog pills in.
Who should skip it: PetMD says dogs with pancreatitis should not eat cheese and should eat a bland, low-fat diet. The AKC says to check with your vet first if your dog is struggling with obesity or has a history of food sensitivities. Dogster adds that dogs with kidney problems should avoid salty foods; see our guide to low-sodium dog food. If dairy doesn’t agree with your dog, our guide to dog food for sensitive stomachs may help.
Watch for: Vomiting, diarrhea, bloating and gas, especially the first time. Dogster’s advice if your dog eats a huge block of cheese is to watch them carefully and contact your vet, especially if they start showing signs of illness.
Can dogs eat ice cream?
It’s best not to share it. A lick of plain vanilla ice cream won’t harm most healthy dogs, but ice cream is loaded with sugar, fat and lactose, and several flavors are dangerous for dogs.
Why: The AKC says it’s best to avoid giving ice cream to dogs. Its chief veterinarian, Dr. Jerry Klein, explains that many adult dogs are lactose intolerant to varying degrees, and that dairy products with a high fat content can also cause pancreatitis. The AKC adds that ice cream is loaded with sugar, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. PetMD’s vet-reviewed guide is a little more relaxed. It says dogs can have very small amounts of plain ice cream, such as vanilla or strawberry, on occasion, but that it isn’t recommended, and that a pup cup or doggy cone has enough sugar, fat and dairy to cause digestive upset. PetMD says it’s best to avoid giving ice cream to puppies.
Flavors and ingredients to keep away from your dog:
Chocolate in any form: ice cream, chips, swirls, sauce or a chocolate shell. PetMD says dogs should not eat chocolate ice cream. See chocolate in our sweets guide.
Coffee and matcha, which contain caffeine. Dogster’s vet-reviewed guide says matcha isn’t safe for dogs however it is given.
Raisins, as in rum raisin, and macadamia nuts. PetMD lists both among the toxic ingredients found in ice cream.
Xylitol in sugar-free, low-sugar or “skinny” ice cream. The AKC says to read the label even if the container says sugar-free, and to make sure the ice cream contains no xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs.
If your dog ate ice cream: For plain ice cream, PetMD says to monitor your dog closely for signs of illness such as weakness, vomiting or diarrhea, and to call your vet if you notice anything concerning. If it was chocolate ice cream, don’t panic. Dogster’s vet-reviewed guide says chocolate ice cream contains only 2 to 4% cocoa solids, so a small taste likely won’t affect a dog, and even small dogs would need to eat a significant amount to get sick. Call your vet with the flavor, the amount and your dog’s weight. The Merck Veterinary Manual says signs of chocolate poisoning usually appear within 6 to 12 hours. They start with thirst, vomiting, diarrhea and restlessness, and can progress to hyperactivity, tremors and seizures. If the label lists xylitol, treat it as an emergency. The FDA says to call your vet, an emergency clinic or an animal poison control center right away.
Watch for: Gas, bloating and diarrhea from the lactose. PetMD lists vomiting, belly pain, lack of appetite and lethargy as signs of pancreatitis, which often needs veterinary care.
What to give instead: Frozen banana “nice cream,” frozen plain yogurt or an ice cream made for dogs. See better cold and creamy treats below.
Can dogs eat mac and cheese?
No, not as a treat. Mac and cheese isn’t toxic, and a stolen mouthful is unlikely to hurt a healthy dog. But it is a rich mix of pasta, cheese, milk, butter and salt, and it has nothing a dog needs.
Why: PetMD’s vet-reviewed cheese guide says it’s not recommended to give dogs mac and cheese, because the dairy and gluten in it can be difficult for dogs to digest. Dogster’s vet-reviewed guide says mac and cheese isn’t toxic for dogs but has very limited nutritional value, and that you should avoid letting them eat any because it can lead to digestive problems and weight gain. Hepper’s vet-verified guide puts it this way: “It is not toxic; it’s just unhealthy.” It says the seasonings, salt and oils alone can give many dogs a tummy ache, and the dairy and butter even more so. Hepper calls the heavily processed boxed kind perhaps the worst choice.
Ingredients that make it dangerous: Onion and garlic. Dogster says onion is a common addition to mac and cheese recipes and is toxic for dogs. If there is a significant amount of it, or if you have a small dog, it says it’s best to contact the vet. Check the box or the recipe for onion powder and garlic powder too. The AKC says onion and garlic powders are even more potent than fresh onions, and that anything containing onion powder belongs on your “don’t feed” list. The Merck Veterinary Manual says poisoning in dogs is most often linked to concentrated forms such as dehydrated flakes, powders and dry onion soup mixes. A recipe made with blue cheese is also off-limits. See onions and garlic in our vegetable guide.
If your dog ate mac and cheese: After a mouthful, Hepper says, chances are your dog won’t have much discomfort. After a bowl or more, your dog will probably be ill for a while. Dogster says you typically don’t need to take your dog to the vet even if they get hold of a larger amount, and that mild stomach upset usually settles within a day or so. Don’t panic, keep plenty of fresh water available, and let your dog outside often.
Call your vet if: The mac and cheese contained onion or garlic. Your dog can’t keep food or water down. Diarrhea lasts more than 48 hours. Or you see signs of pancreatitis, which Dogster describes as stomach upset together with a lack of appetite, lethargy and belly pain. Fatty, rich foods can bring it on, and it can be severe.
Related: Plain cooked pasta is a different matter. See pasta in our grains guide, and cheese and butter on this page.
Can dogs eat sour cream?
A taste of plain sour cream is OK for most dogs, but it isn’t a good treat. It’s not toxic. It is mostly fat, though, and it offers a dog very little.
Why: Dogster’s vet-approved guide says sour cream is not toxic to dogs, but that eating too much of it isn’t good for them. Hepper’s vet-verified guide agrees that it is non-toxic and won’t cause problems for most healthy dogs, with some drawbacks. The first is fat. Hepper says two tablespoons of sour cream pack 60 to 90 calories, most of them from fat, and that obese dogs should be kept far away from it. Dogster adds that the high fat content can lead to an upset tummy and to serious health issues like pancreatitis. The second is lactose. Both guides say sour cream has less lactose than milk, but Dogster notes it can still cause stomach upset.
Sour cream to keep away from your dog: Anything flavored. Dogster says that if the sour cream is flavored with onions, chives or garlic, your dog will need veterinary help. That covers sour cream and onion dip, chive toppings and ranch-style dips made with onion or garlic powder. The chips are a problem as well. Hepper’s vet-reviewed guide to Pringles says the sour cream and onion flavor is potentially toxic, and that even a little onion or garlic powder can be toxic to a small dog.
How much: No veterinary reference we found gives a serving size for sour cream. Hepper says a tiny taste isn’t going to hurt your dog and suggests starting with a small amount to see how your dog handles it. So think of it as a lick off the spoon or a small dab on food, now and then, and never the tub. Hepper notes that light sour cream trims a good deal of the fat and calories.
Who should skip it: Dogster says dogs with food allergies or lactose intolerance should avoid sour cream completely. The same goes for overweight dogs and dogs that have had pancreatitis or eat a low-fat diet.
Watch for: Gas, bloating, vomiting and diarrhea. Dogster says the worst case after plain sour cream is usually an upset stomach with diarrhea and gas that should clear up on its own, and that if you’re at all concerned you should contact your vet.
What to give instead: A spoonful of plain, low-fat yogurt or plain cottage cheese.
Can dogs eat whipped cream?
Yes, a little, once in a while. Plain whipped cream isn’t toxic to dogs. It is cream and sugar, so it’s a rare treat and not a regular one.
Why: Dogster’s vet-reviewed guide says whipped cream is not toxic to dogs, so they can eat it on occasion, but that they shouldn’t eat it regularly for two reasons: sugar and dairy. It notes that dairy is high in fats, which can lead to weight gain and pancreatitis, and that a dog prone to pancreatitis is best kept off dairy altogether. Hepper’s vet-reviewed guide agrees that dogs can eat whipped cream, and says whether it is a safe treat depends on whether your dog tolerates lactose and on how much you offer. If your dog’s stomach can’t handle milk products, Hepper says not to offer whipped cream even in small amounts.
How much: Hepper’s guide is a teaspoon of whipped cream for a small dog and a tablespoon for a large one, and never as a daily food.
Pup cups and Puppuccinos: A pup cup is a small cup of whipped cream that some coffee shops hand out for dogs. Dogster describes the Starbucks Puppuccino as a small cup that contains only whipped cream, sweetened with a little sugar. One AKC article describes it as made with a small amount of espresso and whipped cream. Coffee isn’t safe for dogs, so ask for plain whipped cream and nothing else. The AKC says restaurant dog treats like these are fine in moderation, but may not suit dogs with obesity or diabetes, a history of dairy intolerance, or a tendency to stomach trouble or pancreatitis. For a small dog, a whole pup cup is much more than Hepper’s teaspoon, so share a few licks and take the cup away.
Whipped cream to keep away from your dog: Sugar-free whipped cream and whipped topping. Hepper calls sugar-free whipped cream “a definite no for dogs” because it often contains xylitol, and Dogster says to check what a fat-free or sugar-free product uses in place of sugar. Hepper adds that canned and tub whipped creams often contain preservatives, so they are not the best choice for a dog. Dogster’s vet-approved guide to Cool Whip says it is non-toxic in its regular form but can upset some dogs’ stomachs. Don’t share whipped cream that is sitting on hot chocolate, a coffee drink or a chocolate dessert. Keep the can out of reach as well. Dogster warns that a pressurized can may burst if a dog chews it and can injure the mouth.
Watch for: Gas, bloating, diarrhea and vomiting. Dogster says a dog that has had too much plain whipped cream should have mild stomach upset at most, and that you can contact your vet for guidance. If the whipped cream contained xylitol or came with chocolate, go to the vet right away.
Other dairy foods at a glance
These foods don’t have their own section in this guide yet. Here is the short version from the references listed below. The five rules above apply to all of them.
Food
Verdict
Key note
Milk
In moderation
The AKC says a few tablespoons of cow’s milk now and then can be a nice reward for a dog that tolerates it. PetMD says milk carries more risks than benefits for the average dog. Don’t give cow’s or goat’s milk to puppies in place of their mother’s milk.
Yogurt
In moderation
Plain and unsweetened only, with no xylitol. PetMD says plain Greek yogurt is usually the best choice. Its maximum is ½ teaspoon a day for dogs of 2 to 10 lb, 1 teaspoon for 11 to 20 lb, 1 tablespoon for 21 to 50 lb, 2 tablespoons for 51 to 90 lb and 3 tablespoons for dogs over 90 lb.
Butter
Avoid
PetMD: “Butter isn’t toxic to dogs, but it is bad for them.” One tablespoon has 12 grams of fat, about what a 30-pound dog should eat in a whole day. Signs can show for up to four days. See what to do if your dog ate a stick of butter.
Cottage cheese
In moderation
One of the better cheeses. The AKC says it is lower in fat and sodium than other cheeses, and PetMD says it is high in protein and good for bland diets. Plain only. Dogster suggests 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time, depending on the size of the dog.
Cream cheese
In moderation
PetMD says yes, occasionally; it is high in saturated fat. Plain only, because garlic, chive and onion versions are toxic. For hiding a pill, PetMD says to use the smallest amount possible.
Blue cheese
Toxic
PetMD lists it as not safe because it contains roquefortine. Dogster’s vet-reviewed guide lists diarrhea, vomiting, fever and seizures. That includes Roquefort and Gorgonzola. Call your vet if your dog eats it. See the list above.
American cheese
In moderation
PetMD says processed cheese such as American cheese isn’t ideal but can be safe in small amounts. It is high in sodium.
String cheese
In moderation
PetMD calls it a less ideal choice because it is very processed. Hepper’s vet-approved guide advises against it because the long strands can choke a dog. If you use it, cut it into small pieces.
Goat’s milk
In moderation
The AKC allows a few tablespoons on an occasional basis. Dogster’s vet-reviewed guide says it has only slightly less lactose than cow’s milk, that its benefits for dogs haven’t been proven, and that raw milk is more likely to carry harmful bacteria.
Kefir
In moderation
Hepper’s vet-approved guide says dogs can have plain kefir in moderation, starting with ¼ to ½ teaspoon a day. No sugar and no xylitol. PetMD says a probiotic supplement is often the safer way to give probiotics.
Frozen yogurt
Avoid
The AKC says not to feed dogs commercial frozen yogurt, since it is loaded with sugar, and its chief veterinarian warns that some frozen yogurts contain xylitol. Freeze plain yogurt at home instead.
Pup cups (Puppuccino)
In moderation
A small cup of whipped cream. A few licks now and then are fine for a healthy dog that tolerates dairy. See whipped cream.
Ice cream made for dogs
In moderation
PetMD says dog-safe ice creams made for pets are the best option if you want to share a frozen treat. They still count toward the 10% treat limit.
Better cold and creamy treats for dogs
If your dog begs for ice cream or whipped cream, these give the same pleasure with far less sugar and fat. They are still treats, so they count toward the 10%.
Banana “nice cream.” The AKC’s recipe is two ripe bananas, blended until creamy and then frozen. Bananas contain sugar, so serve a small scoop.
Frozen plain yogurt. The AKC says freezing some fat-free plain yogurt might be a better choice than ice cream, though some dogs still won’t tolerate it. See yogurt above for amounts.
Frozen fruit. Dr. Klein of the AKC suggests frozen blueberries, banana chunks and strawberries, or pureed watermelon or cantaloupe frozen in a mold. Our frozen cantaloupe treats use half a melon and two tablespoons of Greek yogurt.
Frozen peanut butter. The AKC suggests freezing peanut butter in layers with plain yogurt or broth. Always check that the peanut butter contains no xylitol.
Broth cubes. The AKC suggests freezing no-salt-added broth in an ice cube tray. Check the label for onion and garlic first.
Ice cream made for dogs. PetMD says dog-safe ice creams formulated for pets are the best option if you want to buy a frozen treat.
Sources
We checked every verdict in this guide against these veterinary references in October 2026. This guide is general information and doesn’t replace advice from your own veterinarian.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets (milk and dairy, chocolate and caffeine, xylitol, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, onion, garlic and chives)
An individual with a profound affection for animals, who was brought up in an environment surrounded by dogs, cats, and chickens. A self-taught enthusiast in the realm of pet care. At present, the proud caretaker of two rescued felines and two lovely mixed-breed canines.
