Do Not Feed Paneer to Your Dog Until You Read This
We always want our dogs to be happy and healthy and occasionally, when we love a certain kind of food, we’d want our pets to enjoy it, too. However, not all human food is good for dogs to eat. Many human foods are even toxic to dogs, which means we must be wary about introducing new food items to our dog’s diets. And so, can dogs eat paneer? The answer is yes, dogs can eat paneer, but there are risks involved.
In this guide, we’ll talk about why paneer can be a good addition to your dog’s diet, and why it may also be bad, depending on if your dog is lactose intolerant.
What is Paneer?
Paneer, also known as ponir, is a fermented and fresh acid-set cheese made from cow or buffalo milk. It is made by curdling the milk with a fruit or vegetable-base acid, such as lemon juice. It is not aged and it doesn’t melt, resulting in a soft and chewy, mild-flavored, yet calcium-rich cheese.
Paneer is a common ingredient in many Indian dishes as well as in the Indian subcontinent. Because of its texture and quality, it quickly absorbs flavors, which makes it a great ingredient for sauces and salads.
You might want to feed your dog paneer because of its flavor and calcium content but there are things you need to know before you give your pup a bite or two. If your dog is lactose intolerant, you need to avoid feeding paneer to your dog at all times.
Paneer Nutritional Facts
Paneer is packed with protein, calcium, and other nutrients that make it a nutritious food to eat. For dogs, its protein and calcium content provides a host of benefits that your dog can take advantage of, especially if it needs a little boost of protein or a boost in its immune system.
Here are the nutritional facts of a half cup of paneer:
- Calories = 321
- Protein = 25 grams
- Fat = 25 grams
- Carbohydrates = 3.57 grams
It also contains high amounts of calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium.
Can Dogs Eat Paneer?
Yes, dogs can eat paneer, as it’s considered to be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet. However, it must be noted that fruits, vegetables, and other human food should only make up less than 10% of your dog’s daily diet. Most of your dog’s diet should be made up of protein or its commercial dog food, with the rest of the 10% made up of treats.
That being said, paneer must only be treated as a snack or occasional treat for your dog. Do not consider it as a meal replacement or a daily staple in your dog’s diet.
Benefits of Paneer for Your Dog
Here are some of the reasons why paneer can be good for your dog:
- High Protein Content
Protein is essential in your dog’s physical health, as well as in the proper functioning of its physiological processes. It is also known to improve energy levels, adds to longevity, as well as improve your dog’s endurance and stamina when playing or exercising.
- Excellent Source of Calcium
Calcium is essential in your dog’s diet to prevent future bone problems when it gets older. Calcium is a great nutrient that strengthens your dog’s bones, teeth, and tissues. Calcium is also known to improve your dog’s endurance, which is needed during the summer when you take your dog out for a lot of playtimes.
- Good Source of Magnesium
Magnesium is another essential nutrient that your dog needs to regulate its blood sugar levels. It also helps to boost your dog’s immunity, as well as defend against heart disease.
If your dog has diabetes or is prediabetic, paneer can be a great food to add to its regular diet.
- Adds Flavor Without the Risk
If your dog has a bland diet, you can use paneer to add flavor. Paneer is highly absorbent to liquids, making it a great ingredient to add flavor to commercial dog food. You can soak paneer in chicken soup, beef broth, or any other flavor your dog loves, add it to its meals, and give the dish added flavor without the added fat or other ingredients that can add more fat, sodium, or sugar to your dog’s diet.
Risks to Consider When Feeding Paneer to Your Dog
All human food contains risks when feeding to pets. This is because dogs do not have the same biological features as humans and they may have digestive issues when it comes to certain human foods.
When you introduce paneer to your dog, make sure you introduce it gradually and never make it a daily staple without observing for any adverse reactions first.
Here are the risks to consider when feeding paneer to your dog:
- Avoid Giving Paneer to Lactose Intolerant Dogs
Paneer is fermented, which means it doesn’t contain high amounts of lactose. It shouldn’t cause any adverse side effects to dogs that aren’t lactose intolerant. However, if your dog is lactose intolerant, it may suffer from side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. If your dog cannot process milk, please avoid giving it any paneer.
- High Amount of Sodium
Paneer contains high amounts of sodium, and if your dog is suffering from any kidney diseases or cardiovascular issues, it may cause further problems. Do not feed paneer if your dog has had or is suffering from any kidney or heart issues.
If your dog eats an excessive amount of paneer, it can also lead to kidney failure and cardiovascular issues even if your dog doesn’t have any of the conditions.
- Bad for Dogs with High Blood Pressure
Since paneer contains high amounts of sodium, it can aggravate a dog’s high blood pressure. Avoid giving paneer if your dog has suffered or is suffering from high blood pressure.
How to Feed Paneer to Your Dog
If you’ve never made paneer at home before, it’s best that you don’t feed homemade paneer to your dog until you’ve mastered making it.
When feeding store-bought paneer or from a restaurant, make sure you feed purely paneer to your dog and not the seasoning that comes with a dish. If you want to use paneer to add flavor to your dog’s commercial dog food, soak the paneer in beef broth or chicken soap to get the flavor but without adding the meat to your dog’s dish.
You should not give paneer to your dog on a daily basis as the high sodium content can be harmful. Give your dog 2 to three tablespoons of paneer about 3 to 4 times a week, which is the maximum amount of paneer recommended for medium-sized dogs.
Final Words
Paneer is a soft and flavorful soft cheese that can add flavor to your dog’s bland diet but it does come with its own set of risks. Though containing only small amounts of lactose, it’s still dangerous for lactose-intolerant dogs to eat. So avoid giving it to them at all times.
However, if your dog is healthy, paneer can be a great occasional treat for your dog as it’s high in protein and calcium, which your dog needs to stay healthy and happy.
https://unsplash.com/photos/jTv_cWxEtFs (paneer)
https://unsplash.com/photos/Us36T9JMi0A (feeding dog)
