Pourquoi ?

Blue cheeses — Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola, Bleu d'Auvergne, and similar varieties — are aged with Penicillium roqueforti mold. This mold produces Roquefortine C and PR toxin, both of which are tremorgenic mycotoxins that cause serious neurological symptoms in dogs.

Unlike plain cheeses, which are primarily a concern for fat content and lactose, blue cheeses carry genuine toxin risk. The tremorgenic syndrome includes muscle tremors, extreme agitation, hyperthermia, and seizures. Small amounts — a bite-sized piece of blue cheese — can trigger symptoms in sensitive dogs.

The mold visible in blue cheese is the active producer — the greenish-blue veins throughout the cheese are where Roquefortine C is most concentrated. Cheese rinds from aged blue varieties have the highest toxin load.

Quelle quantité est dangereuse ?

No established threshold — even small amounts (one to two tablespoon-sized pieces) have triggered tremorgenic reactions in dogs.

Quels sont les symptômes ?

DÉBUT :Within 30 minutes to a few hours of ingestion.
  • muscle tremors
  • agitation and panting
  • hyperthermia
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • seizures
  • incoordination

Que dois-je faire ?

Contact your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (+1 888-426-4435) immediately. Treatment is supportive — cooling, IV fluids, muscle relaxants, and seizure management.

Questions fréquentes

Is regular cheddar safe but blue cheese dangerous?

Yes — the risk is specific to the Penicillium mycotoxins in blue-veined cheeses. Plain cheddar, mozzarella, and similar cheeses don't carry this risk (though they're high in fat).

Can dogs have a crumb of blue cheese?

Even a small amount carries real risk. Given the lack of an established safe threshold and the severity of tremorgenic reactions, no amount of blue cheese should be given.