Can Dogs Eat Babybel Cheese? Risks & Tips If They Ate The Wax

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Cheese is a delicacy all over the world. It comes in many forms like cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, brie, and many more. Each cheese has its own taste, smell, texture, and nutritional breakdown.

Babybel cheese is one of these unique cheese snacks. It is a small, round, firm cheese that comes in its own wax packaging.

While it’s true dogs can eat small amounts of some cheeses, is Babybel one of these?

Can dogs eat Babybel cheese?

Yes, dogs can eat Babybel cheese in moderation. The main concern is the fat and salt content. However, this is only a problem when dogs overeat. Otherwise, Babybel cheese is safe for dogs to eat. In addition, if your dog eats a small amount of Babybel wax, there shouldn’t be any harmful effects.

In this article, you’ll discover:

If dogs can eat Babybel cheese and the wax
The dangers of dogs eating Babybel cheese
How much Babybel Cheese dogs can eat
What to do if your dog eats Babybel Wax (Vet Answers)

Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

What’s In Babybel Cheese?

To determine if dogs can eat babybel cheese, we need to determine what can be found in this cheese.

Babybel is a natural cheese made from pasteurized cow’s milk. Its made the traditional way by using rennet and lactic acid bacteria.

It’s a tiny version of Edam cheese, a semi-hard Dutch cheese.

The original babybel is an excellent source of calcium and lactose-free.

Nutrition Facts

Fat, sodium and dairy are the biggest concerns for dogs eating Babybel cheese.

Can Dogs Eat Babybel Cheese?

The answer is yes, but only in moderation.

Babybel cheese contains beneficial vitamins and minerals that can be healthy for a dog to eat.

In addition, Babybel cheese contains no lactose, which is good for dogs with lactose intolerance.

This makes Babybel cheese relatively safe for dogs with lactose intolerance.

It’s still not recommended that dogs with severe intolerance eat this cheese. This is because they may still experience digestive upset like diarrhea and vomiting.

Babybel also contains fat and sodium, which can harm dogs if eaten in large quantities.

So while it’s safe for dogs to eat Babyubel cheese, overconsumption can lead to health problems.

Also, as with any food, introduce this slowly to see how your dog responds to this cheese.

Can Dogs Eat Babybel Wax?

The wax that encases the Babybel cheese is not toxic to dogs.

The Babybel maker has confirmed that the red wax is made of fully refined paraffin wax, considered non-toxic if accidentally eaten by your dog.

“While we do not recommend eating it, if a person or pet accidentally consumes the wax, there will be no harmful effects.” – Bel Brands.

The most significant danger is it can be a choking hazard if your dog tries to eat it.

If you notice your dog eating the wax, don’t panic. They will likely pass it through their system without any problems.

But, as always, if you have any concerns, it’s best to contact your veterinarian.

3 Dangers Of Dogs Eating Babybel Cheese

While Babybel cheese can be safe for dogs to eat, there are some dangers to consider.

Here are three dangers of dogs eating Babybel cheese:

Salt

One of the dangers of dogs eating Babybel cheese is the high sodium content.

Too much salt can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and even seizures in dogs.

So while a small piece of Babybel cheese once in a while is fine, don’t let your dog eat this often, and keep the portions small.

Babybels contain 140mg of sodium per serving, while the recommended sodium a 33-pound dog should have is 200mg per pound.

The size of your dog will also play a significant factor in the amount of sodium they can handle.

If you are concerned that your dog ate too much, look for signs of salt poisoning.

The most common signs of salt poisoning include:

Extreme thirst and urination
High fever
Increased heart rate
Lack of energy, weakness
Loss of appetite
Muscle spasms
Respiratory distress
Convulsions or seizures
Stomach pains
Tongue swelling
Vomiting
Walking without balance
Watery diarrhea

Overeating

Another danger of dogs eating Babybel cheese is the potential for overeating.

While a small amount of this cheese can be safe for dogs, too much can lead to digestive issues like diarrhea and vomiting.

So make sure you give your dog a small piece or slice of this cheese as a treat.

Lactose Intolerance

As we mentioned before, Babybel cheese is lactose-free.

However, some dogs with severe sensitivity react to pasteurized cow’s milk.

If your dog is intolerant to lactose, they may experience diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain after eating this cheese.

Choking Hazard

Another danger to consider is that Babybel cheese can be a choking hazard.

This is especially true for small dogs and puppies.

So make sure you cut the cheese into small pieces or slices before giving it to your dog.

Dogs can also choke on the Babybel cheese wax.

How Much Babybel Cheese Can Dogs Eat?

Now that we’ve answered can dogs eat Babybel cheese and looked at the dangers, let’s talk about how much your dog can have.

As a general rule of thumb, give your dog no more than one ounce of this cheese per 20 pounds of body weight.

For example, a 20-pound dog can have up to one ounce of Babybel cheese, while a 40-pound can have up to two ounces.

You can give your dog this cheese as a treat or mix it into their food.

If you give them Babybel cheese as a treat, ensure it’s given in moderation and not too often.

Also, treats should never make up more than 10% of your dog’s diet.

What Should I Do If My Dog Ate Babybel Cheese?

I reached out to Dr. Littlejohn to find out what he’d recommend to care for a dog that ate babybel wax.

When speaking with a veterinarian over the phone, they will attempt to examine your dog for health problems by asking questions.

This is so they can first determine whether or not your dog has eaten enough to warrant concern.

They usually ask about the following things:

Ingredients
Amount consumed
The size of your dog
How long ago they consumed it
Any changes to your dog’s behaviors
Your dog’s energy level
Signs of physical pain or discomfort
If your dog’s drinking or eating
If they vomited or pooped since eating it (and what it looked like)

Each scenario will be unique depending on how much they ate, what they ate, and how big your dog is.

After they have all the information, the veterinarian will give you specific instructions on what to do next based on the situation at hand.

Keep an eye on your dog and use your best judgment.

If your dog ate a small amount of Babybel cheese and is acting completely normal, then there’s no need to worry.

When a dog eats Babybel wax 99/100 times, a dog will be fine.

Bel Brands, the company that makes Babybel, says “the wax is not harmful to pets.”

So, If your dog ate some wax from a Babybel, don’t panic.

Most likely, they’ll be just fine and pass the wax without problems.

But, if you have any concerns or your dog is not acting like themselves, reach out to your veterinarian.

Click here if you wish to speak with a vet online right now.