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American cheese is a processed cheese product, and processing means salt: emulsifying salts plus regular sodium put a single slice surprisingly high on the salt chart. One slice is fine for most dogs; a habit, or a package, is not.
Check American Cheese for your dog
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Why American Cheese needs caution
It's low in lactose but high in sodium relative to its weight, and the ASPCA lists excess salt among people-food risks: large amounts cause increased thirst and, at the extreme, tremors. The fat is standard cheese fat. The plastic wrapper on singles is its own small hazard if swallowed.
Signs to watch for
Usually none; large amounts: marked thirst, vomiting; a swallowed wrapper: gagging, vomiting, straining
What to do next
Nothing for a slice or a corner. After many slices, keep water freely available; if wrappers went down too, watch for vomiting or straining and call if they appear.
•ASPCA APCC, people foods to avoid feeding your pets (milk and dairy, salt)
Compiled from veterinary poison-control and medical reference sources, including the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the Pet Poison Helpline, and the Merck Veterinary Manual. This is general educational information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for examination by your veterinarian. DogSafe's severity ratings are our own assessment, calculated from published guidance and your dog's weight. In an emergency, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.