Some dogs won’t eat veggies, but others will eat anything, including your food. If your dog has ever craved some cucumber from your salad, you may have wondered: Is it safe?
Dogs love cucumbers. But first, know this.
Dr. Michelle Burch from Safe Hounds Pet Insurance explains why cucumbers benefit dogs and how to give them properly.
Can dogs eat cucumbers as a snack?
Cucumbers are healthy for dogs in various ways.
“Dogs can eat cucumbers as a tasty, crunchy and refreshing snack,” Dr. Burch told The Dodo. “Cucumbers are 96 percent water, which, when eaten, can help prevent dehydration.”
Cucumbers are low in calories, making them a good snack for overweight dogs.
“This vegetable is also low in calories, making it a good option for dogs on a restricted or low-calorie diet,” Dr. Burch said.
Cucumbers give your dog vitamins and minerals.
“Dogs can also benefit from cucumbers, as they contain vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and magnesium, supporting a healthy diet,” Dr. Burch said.
Basically, there are multiple benefits to giving your dog cucumber as a treat, besides the fact he might really like them!
Worries about feeding cucumbers to dogs
Cucumbers are nutritious for your dog, but since they contain so much water, they can cause him to urinate more.
“Cucumbers eaten in abundance by your dog can cause a diuresis effect with significantly increased urination,” Dr. Burch said. “The diuresis effect is transient and will resolve once your dog stops eating large amounts of cucumbers.”
Cucumbers can induce choking or stomach obstruction if not chopped small enough.
“Dogs who eat large pieces of cucumber may suffer from an intestinal obstruction, but this side effect tends to be rare,” Dr. Burch said.
You can avoid these concerns by avoiding giving your dog too much cucumber and chopping it into small pieces.
Can dogs eat cucumber skin and seeds?
Dogs can eat cucumber peels and seeds, but they’re not easily digestible. If your dog has a delicate stomach or consumes a lot of cucumbers, the peel or seeds may cause an upset stomach.
This shouldn’t be an issue for most dogs, but if you’re worried or if your dog has a sensitive stomach, peel and remove the seeds.
Can dogs eat pickles?
While you might assume pickles are healthy because they’re made from cucumbers, dogs shouldn’t consume them.
“Dogs can eat pickles if one accidentally drops to the ground, but I do not recommend making them a daily treat for your pet,” Dr. Burch said. “Pickles are made of nontoxic ingredients, including cucumbers, salt, water, vinegar and other spices. The problem with eating pickles is the high sodium content. Excessive ingestion of sodium can be problematic for dogs with underlying medical conditions and even in the short term for healthy dogs.”
Too much salt is toxic to dogs. Your dog could acquire hypernatremia if he overeats salt too fast. This causes cells to release water into the bloodstream to adjust salt levels, causing complications.
“Consumption of a large amount of salt in one sitting can lead to excessive drinking, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination and seizures,” Dr. Burch said.
Pickles often contain garlic and onion, which are poisonous to dogs.
So if you want to offer your dog a cucumber treat, skip the pickles.
How much cucumber can I give my dog?
As with other treats, don’t overfeed your dog cucumbers.
“Feeding cucumber to your dog is a treat, and I recommend keeping the amount [you] feed in a day within the 10 percent treat rule,” Dr. Burch said. “Your dog should not consume more than 10 percent of their daily caloric needs in the form of treats, including raw fruits and vegetables.”
Ask your vet how many calories your dog should eat daily. Use a dog calorie calculator to estimate how many calories your dog needs based on his weight (just divide the number by 10 to figure out how many calories can come from treats).
How to feed cucumbers to your dog
Dr. Burch recommends feeding dogs raw, unpeeled cucumber slices.
You can freeze cucumbers for your dog as a cooling treat.
“Other options of feeding cucumber to your dog include freezing smaller pieces or slices to provide a summertime treat or help teething puppies with discomfort,” Dr. Burch said.
Put peanut butter on the cucumber for your dog’s treat.
“The center of the cucumber can also be removed and replaced with peanut butter,” Dr. Burch said.
Cucumbers hydrate dogs and are full of vitamins and minerals. They’re a terrific treat for dogs on low-calorie diets.
