Last updated: July 2, 2026 · 6-minute read
What Are the Best Cheese Dog Treats Recipes? The Short Answer
The best cheese dog treats recipes use low-fat, low-sodium cheeses — think mozzarella, cottage cheese, or a modest amount of cheddar — combined with a simple flour base and eggs, and nothing else. Most dogs digest small amounts of cheese just fine, but because cheese is calorie-dense, all treats combined should stay under 10% of your dog's daily calories. And when you want the same keep-them-busy payoff without turning on the oven, a single-ingredient, fully digestible chew with no rawhide — ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms — is the shelf-stable partner to a batch of homemade cheese biscuits.
Key takeaways
- Low-fat mozzarella, cottage cheese, and small amounts of cheddar or Parmesan are the safest cheeses for most dogs.
- Never use blue cheeses (Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola) — they can contain roquefortine C, which is toxic to dogs — or any cheese blended with garlic, onion, or chives.
- A basic 4-ingredient biscuit — cheese, whole wheat flour, egg, and a splash of water — mixes in 15 minutes and bakes in about 25.
- Cheese is calorie-dense, so keep total treats under 10% of daily calories and cut training pieces pea-sized.
- Homemade cheese biscuits keep about a week refrigerated; pair them with a long-lasting natural chew for your dog's daily chewing needs.
What Kinds of Cheese Are Safe for Dogs?
Not all cheeses belong in a dog treat. The general rule: the lower the fat, salt, and lactose, the better. Hard, aged cheeses and fresh, low-fat cheeses tend to be the easiest on canine stomachs, while soft, rich, or mold-ripened cheeses cause the most trouble.
| Cheese | Safe for dogs? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mozzarella (low-fat) | Yes | Low fat and sodium; one of the best baking cheeses for dogs |
| Cottage cheese | Yes | Low lactose and gentle on digestion; great mixed into dough |
| Cheddar (small amounts) | Yes, in moderation | Higher fat — use sparingly and choose reduced-fat when possible |
| Parmesan | Yes, as a sprinkle | Very low lactose but salty; a light dusting adds big flavor |
| Cream cheese (plain) | Occasionally | High fat; a thin smear only, never flavored varieties |
| Blue cheeses (Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola) | No | Can contain roquefortine C, which is toxic to dogs |
| Any cheese with garlic, onion, or chives | No | Garlic and onion are toxic to dogs in all forms |
How Do You Make Homemade Cheese Dog Treats?
This is the recipe we come back to at Bully Sticks Central when we bake for our own dogs: four everyday ingredients, no sugar, no artificial anything. It makes roughly 30 small biscuits, depending on your cutter.
Cheddar & Whole Wheat Dog Biscuits
Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded low-fat cheddar or mozzarella
- 1½ cups whole wheat flour (swap oat flour for wheat-sensitive dogs)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- 1–2 tablespoons water, as needed
Instructions:
- Preheat. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Mix. Stir the flour, cheddar, and Parmesan together, then beat in the eggs. Add water a tablespoon at a time until a firm dough forms.
- Roll and cut. Roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick and cut into small shapes — smaller than you think, since these are treats, not meals.
- Bake. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden and firm. Longer bakes make crunchier biscuits that store better.
- Cool and store. Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze for up to three months.
Want variety? Fold in finely chopped carrots or spinach, a pinch of dried parsley, or a spoonful of plain pumpkin purée. Skip herbs and mix-ins from the onion family entirely.
How Much Cheese Can Dogs Have?
Treats — cheese biscuits included — should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. A small biscuit from this recipe runs about 25 calories, so a 20-pound dog doing fine on roughly 500 calories a day has room for one or two. For training sessions, break biscuits into pea-sized pieces so you can reward often without overfeeding. If your dog has never had cheese, start with a tiny amount and watch for loose stools or an upset stomach over the next day — some dogs are more lactose-sensitive than others, and those dogs do better with cottage cheese or lactose-free options.
What Should You Pair Cheese Treats With?
Baked biscuits disappear in seconds. For the chewing your dog actually needs — the kind that cleans teeth and burns mental energy — pair your homemade batch with a 100% natural, single-ingredient chew. A 6-inch standard bully stick is the everyday workhorse for most dogs, while a beef cheek roll gives bigger chewers a longer-lasting, rawhide-free session. Lighter chewers and seniors often do best with beef tendons. Everything in our natural dog treats and chews collection is 100% real meat, fully digestible, and free of rawhide, chemicals, and mystery ingredients — the same standard we'd want next to anything we bake at home.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat cheese?
Yes, most dogs can eat cheese in small amounts. Low-fat options like mozzarella and cottage cheese are the safest choices. Because cheese is high in fat and calories, it should stay an occasional treat rather than a daily staple, and dogs with pancreatitis or weight issues should generally skip it.
What cheeses are bad for dogs?
Avoid blue cheeses like Roquefort, Stilton, and Gorgonzola, which can contain roquefortine C, a compound toxic to dogs. Also avoid any cheese flavored with garlic, onion, or chives, and go easy on very salty or high-fat cheeses like feta and brie.
Can lactose-intolerant dogs have cheese treats?
Often, yes — in the right form. Hard, aged cheeses like Parmesan and cheddar contain very little lactose, and cottage cheese is also relatively low. Start with a tiny amount and watch for digestive upset. If your dog reacts to all dairy, skip cheese treats and use single-ingredient meat chews instead.
How long do homemade cheese dog treats last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, homemade cheese biscuits last about one week. Frozen, they keep up to three months. Because they contain no preservatives, discard any treats that smell off or show mold.
Can puppies have cheese treats?
Puppies over 8 weeks can usually handle small amounts of low-fat cheese, and many trainers use tiny cheese pieces as high-value rewards. Keep portions pea-sized, introduce cheese gradually, and check with your vet if your puppy has a sensitive stomach.
Are cheese treats good for training?
Yes — cheese is one of the highest-value rewards for most dogs, which makes it excellent for teaching new or difficult behaviors. Cut treats pea-sized so you can reward frequently without blowing past the 10% daily treat calorie limit.
Preston Smith is the co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. He started BSC because he couldn't find single-ingredient, fully digestible chews he trusted to give his own dogs — no rawhide, no chemicals, no mystery ingredients. He writes about dog nutrition, safe chews, and the practical side of feeding dogs well. Read more about Preston →
This post was last updated at July 17, 2026 14:05
