Ducks are domestic birds that are very decent and social, and they naturally like to stay in a group. Ducks are fond of eating water creatures and various treats, including fruits and veggies.
You may be concerned about their diet if you are a duck owner. Every owner loves entertaining and keeping their pet happy by providing tasty food. Cheese is one of the delicious and renowned dairy products, and people add cheese to their dishes, enhancing the taste. But, Can ducks eat cheese?
As you like the cheesy texture, your pet might wish to have it. But is cheese safe for sucks? Before feeding the food, let’s discuss it.
Can Ducks Eat Cheese?
Yes, ducks can eat cheese occasionally. But, there are some controversies regarding feeding cheese to ducks. Some owners advised not to feed any dairy products to ducks, as ducks are not friendly with dairy products and face digestive issues due to lactose in them.
Some experts said that if the owner has no issue with slight side effects like the stinkier poop of their ducks, then they can feed cheese in moderation. If you choose to feed your pet bird cheese, keep it in moderation, and never feed excessively.
Also, do consider your duck’s condition after consuming cheese. Don’t feed them again if they feel uncomfortable and get into trouble.
How Often Can Ducks Eat Cheese?
If you choose dairy food, stick to moderate feeding. If your duck is comfortable with cheese, you can feed it as a treat. Once or a maximum of twice a week is enough for the birds, and only feed them 1 ounce at a time. High consumption of dairy products causes constipation and allergic reaction; in severe cases, even death can occur! Also, yogurt is a dairy product; you can feed it to your duck in moderation.
7 Benefits of Cheese for Ducks
For humans, cheese is one of the best dairy foods, which is nutritious and beneficial. But for ducks, it is quite risky. Although, if your bird can handle the whitish food, it can also benefit them. Cheese contains vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, D, and B, zinc, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, protein, etc.
1: Cheese is the Great Source of Protein
Protein has a significant role in growth and development, and protein is a necessary compound for juvenile ducks’ steady development. Cheese can provide the required protein to your bird, and moderate feeding helps develop your bird.
2: Vitamin A Promotes Eyesight & Productivity
Vitamin A is an inevitable compound for humans and other creatures. Ducks also require vitamins in their daily lifestyle, and cheese has an adequate amount of vitamin A. Vitamin A promotes eye health and prevents issues like cataracts, blindness, etc. Moreover, the vitamin helps in enhancing egg productivity.
3: Vitamin D & Calcium Works with Muscular & Vascular Function
Cheese has abundant vitamin D and calcium, and these two compounds help strengthen bones. Your duck will not suffer from bone or skeletal issues if they get a proper amount of vitamin D and calcium.
Further, these two components regulate nerve transmission and muscular and vascular function and also work in hormone secretion.
4: Vitamin B Maintains Red Blood Cells & Metabolism
Cheese contains a good amount of vitamins B6 and B12. B6 pyridoxine works in maintaining red blood cell count. On the other hand, B12 promotes metabolism, and vitamin B also enhances the nervous system’s function. Eggs and chicken also have a good amount of these two vitamins, and you can feed them to your bird in moderation.
5: Phosphorus Produces Healthy Egg Shells
If your duck’s eggshells are softer and not healthy, it means your pet needs phosphorus. Cheese consists of an adequate amount of phosphorus, and the compound helps to harden egg shells.
6: Fat Improves Weight
If your pet bird is not bulky or skinny, you should provide them with a good amount of fat. Cheese is laden with fat, and it helps in gaining appropriate weight.
7: Other Beneficial Minerals Work in Various Ways
- The magnesium present in cheese promotes nervous function and regulates heartbeat.
- Iron helps in preventing diseases like anemia.
- Zinc aids in the production of insulin and cartilage development.
- Potassium assists in cognitive functioning.
4 Risks of Feeding Cheese to Ducks
In simple words, no dairy product is suitable for ducks. But as cheese has less lactose, it is not severe. However, moderate consumption has a lower risk of health issues.
1: Lactose Can Harm Ducks Severely
As dairy products contain lactose, ducks cannot tolerate it. Cheese also has a good amount of lactose, and it causes digestive issues, constipation, obstructive disease, allergic reactions, and even death! So, be cautious when you feed cheese to your pet.
2: Excessive Consumption Causes Obesity
If you do not maintain the feeding limit, it creates several health issues and obesity. Cheese is higher in calories, and it causes ducks to gain extra pounds.
3: Risk of Bacteria
While making, cheese might get in touch with bacteria as it is a preserved food. Also, if it crosses its shelf-life, there is a risk of building bacteria, which harms your pet.
4: Additive Causes Health Problems
Plain cheese is not harmful, but additives make it more dangerous for your duck. Several kinds of cheese contain spices and flavors, and these additives harm your pet dangerously.
Types of Cheese Ducks Can Eat
There are multiple types of cheese available in the market, including shredded goat cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar, etc. But which kind of cheese has lesser risk?
Shredded Goat Cheese is Edible
Shredded goat cheese can be a good option for your duck and is made using goat milk. This cheese has less lactose, low sodium, and less fat which is easy to digest.
Cottage Cheese Should Mix With Other Food
Cottage cheese is softer than other cheeses. Ducks find the taste delicious. But do not provide them with any flavored cottage cheese. Also, mix the cheese with other foods because it can create difficulty during eating due to the mushy texture.
Mozzarella Cheese Needs Moderation
Mozzarella comes from southern Italy and is made with Italian buffalo milk through the pasta-filata technique. It has 1 to 2 grams of lactose in every 100 grams. So, you should feed it in moderation.
Cheddar Cheese is Safe
Cheddar is a village in England, and the cheese originated from that village. It has low lactose. In every 1 ounce of cheddar, 0.4 to 0.6 grams of lactose is there, and it is quite safe for ducks.
Brie Should Be Fed Occasionally
Brie comes from cow milk, and the lactose amount is lesser. Every 100 grams of brie has 0.1 grams of lactose. So, occasional feeding is fine for your pet.
How to Prepare Cheese for Your Ducks?
Purchase Plain Cheese
Ducks should not consume flavored cheese. Therefore, purchase plain cheese from the market. Make sure that the ingredients present in the cheese are safe for your bird.
Shredded Them & Serve
As ducks do not have teeth, they can’t chew. Ducks swallow their food. So you should serve them in smaller pieces. You can give them shredded cheese, and they can consume it easily.
Mix with Other Foods
Cheese, like cottage cheese, is mushy and difficult to swallow. You should add cheese to other foods and let your duck eat them.
Conclusion
After getting all the benefits and risks, the answer to the question, can ducks eat cheese? could be clearer. The answer is yes if you can handle your duck’s illness and no if you are very sincere about their health.
Above all, consider your pet’s health condition before feeding. You can feed them as a treat if they are strong enough to digest dairy products. Although, there are various options for safe treat-food for ducks. So, taking risks is not the best way here.
However, ducks are omnivorous creatures. So, they can eat several fruits and veggies, and there are no serious concerns about the variety of their food.
Other Preferred Foods for Duck
FAQs
Do ducks like cheese?
Yes, they find cheese tasty.
Is cheese safe for ducks?
No, cheese is not a safer food for ducks. But moderate eating does not harm the birds.
Can ducks eat mozzarella cheese?
Yes, ducks can eat mozzarella cheese occasionally.
Can ducks eat cottage cheese?
Yes, ducks can eat cottage cheese mixed with other staple foods.
Can ducks eat cheddar cheese?
Yes, cheddar is one of the safest cheeses for ducks due to less quantity of lactose.
