Can Dogs Have Mac and Cheese? And What to Do If They Eat a Lot of It?

While most of us humans tend to like macaroni and cheese and see it as one of those comfort foods, we may think that our dog will love it too, and he may.

Still, before you go feeding your dog some of that Mac and cheese, you need to know if that human food is either good or safe for your dog to consume. Just because he loves it doesn’t mean it is suitable for him.

Are you interested in a particular question about dogs, mac and cheese? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page. 

Is mac and cheese safe for dogs to eat?

If you have been wanting to share your mac and cheese dinner with your favorite pooch and find yourself wondering if mac and cheese is safe for dogs to eat, then the answer is no.

Dogs cannot digest milk products, as well as most people, do, resulting in most dogs being lactose intolerant. This may cause your dog’s stomach upset, resulting in discomfort, diarrhea, and even vomiting.

Can dogs eat macaroni (plain)?

There is nothing in plain macaroni that will harm your dog. However, macaroni is high in carbohydrates, and dogs’ diets don’t need high amounts of carbs. You can give your dog macaroni in small quantities, though.

But you should avoid giving them any macaroni containing tomato sauce, garlic, onions, and other ingredients that are unsafe for dogs. If you are going to serve your dog macaroni or any other type of pasta, it is best to give a minimal amount. And serve it with lots of meat since your dog’s body needs protein much more than carbohydrates.

Can dogs have Annie’s mac and cheese?

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Let’s look at the numbers. 1serving of properly cooked Annie’s mac and cheese (using ¼ reduced-fat milk and 2 tablespoons of salted butter) contains 360 calories 9g of protein, 13g of fats (8g of bad saturated fats), 35mg of cholesterol, 620mg of Sodium, and a bit of potassium and Calcium. 

So, although Annie’s mac and cheese is organic, eliminating the worry over any chemicals. It is still macaroni and cheese, high in fat, calories, and salt, as well as made using dairy, which is not easily digestible by dogs.

Can mac and cheese be bad for dogs?

Yes, mac and cheese is bad for your dogs. While macaroni won’t harm your dog, it is high in carbohydrates. It can quickly put on excess weight on your dog if consumed too often or in large quantities.

Also, cheese is challenging for most dogs to digest and may cause digestion problems. Even if your dog can tolerate cheese in limited amounts, cheese is high in fat, cholesterol, and Sodium. Neither of which is right for your dog’s overall health.

My dog ate mac and cheese, what should I do next?

If your dog accidentally eats a bite of mac and cheese that your child drops on the floor, there is probably no need to worry. But you should observe your dog and make sure he is fine.

If your dog seems to be in pain, is lethargic, or has severe diarrhea and vomiting, then contact your vet immediately. The doc may be able to relieve your dog’s discomfort and prevent him from getting worse.

Can dogs have mac and cheese? Summary

While some dogs can tolerate eating mac and cheese better than others, it is never a good idea to feed this particular food to dogs. It simply isn’t healthy for your pet and may cause some degree of stomach upset. 

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