Can dogs eat blue cheese?
✓ Reviewed against PDSA, Blue Cross, RVC, Battersea & Animal PoisonLine guidance · Last updated: 2026-09-04
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The full picture
Blue cheeses are made using Penicillium roqueforti mold, which produces a compound called roquefortine C. Dogs are unusually sensitive to this compound — far more than humans — and exposure can cause vomiting, diarrhea, high temperature, muscle tremors, and in worse cases seizures that can last for up to two days. Vets report increased cases around Christmas when Stilton appears on cheese boards. All blue cheeses carry this risk: Stilton, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Danish blue, Cambozola. A small lick usually isn't an emergency, but larger amounts or smaller dogs warrant a vet call. Unlike most dairy issues (which are just lactose intolerance), this is a specific toxicity.
If your dog has already eaten blue cheese
Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if your dog consumed a significant amount. Monitor for vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Bring the packaging or a description of the product to any vet visit.
Risks to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Elevated body temperature
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures in severe cases
- Pancreatitis from the high fat content
- Effects can last up to 48 hours
Safe portion size
None. Skip blue cheese entirely.
Safer alternatives
- Small amount of plain cheddar
- Cottage cheese
How much is actually dangerous?
There's no established safe amount at any weight — unlike some foods, this isn't a case where small dogs need extra caution and large dogs can relax. As a rough risk guide:
| Amount eaten | Dog under 10kg | Dog over 15kg |
|---|---|---|
| A lick or crumb | Monitor closely | Usually monitor only |
| A cube-sized piece | Call your vet | Call your vet |
| A significant serving or more | Emergency vet visit | Call your vet promptly |
Individual sensitivity varies significantly — this is a guide for deciding urgency, not a guarantee. When in doubt, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.
Blue cheese dressing, dip & crumbles
It's not just wedges of cheese — blue cheese dressing, dip, crumbles, and blue-cheese-stuffed items (olives, burgers, buffalo wings) all carry the same roquefortine C risk, because they're made with real blue cheese or blue cheese powder. Treat a dog that licked a salad bowl, finished off a dressing cup, or stole a blue-cheese-stuffed olive the same way you'd treat one that ate the solid cheese — watch for the same symptoms, and note that dressings and dips often add extra hazards of their own (onion, garlic, high fat, high salt) on top of the roquefortine C itself.
Which specific blue cheeses are most dangerous?
All blue cheeses present the roquefortine C risk, but potency varies. Stilton (UK) is widely eaten and commonly involved in accidental dog ingestions at Christmas — it's very high in fat and salt in addition to the mycotoxin concern. Roquefort (France) has among the highest roquefortine C levels. Gorgonzola (Italy) and Danish blue are also problematic. None are safe for dogs in any meaningful quantity.
The symptoms of roquefortine C toxicity typically appear within a few hours of ingestion: tremors, muscle twitching, raised temperature, rapid heart rate, vomiting, and in severe cases seizures. The fat content can simultaneously trigger pancreatitis, which presents with vomiting, abdominal pain, and lethargy 12–72 hours later. A dog that ate blue cheese may therefore develop two separate sets of symptoms on different timelines.
What about other cheeses — are any safe for dogs?
Hard cheeses like plain cheddar, mozzarella, and cottage cheese are commonly used as training treats and are safe in small amounts for most dogs. They're high in fat and salt relative to dog-formulated treats, so 'small amounts' is key — a thumbnail-sized piece occasionally rather than habitual feeding. Dogs that are lactose intolerant (common in adult dogs) will develop GI upset from any cheese. Blue cheese is categorically different from these — the mould makes it a different product entirely.
Safe alternatives to blue cheese
If your dog needs a cheesy treat, small amounts of plain, low-fat, low-sodium cheeses are a much safer option than blue cheese — mild cheddar, cottage cheese, or a small piece of mozzarella in moderation. These avoid the mould compound (roquefortine C) that makes blue cheese specifically risky, while still giving the flavour and texture dogs like. Always check for lactose sensitivity first with a very small amount, as some dogs struggle to digest dairy regardless of the cheese type.