Cucumbers contain a ton of nutritional value including water, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are essential for maintaining a happy and healthy life. Luckily, cucumbers are safe for dogs and even cats to eat and can make a good snack for them in moderation. However, you should only give your dog fresh cucumbers since pickles are bad for them to eat. The high salt content in pickles and the fact that many of them are prepared using a brine that includes garlic and other seasonings make them potentially toxic for dogs. We’ve prepared this guide to provide a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know about giving cucumbers to dogs.
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Are Cucumbers Good For Dogs?
For the most part, it is completely safe to feed cucumbers to your dog. They are a low-calorie treat, and they have that crunchy texture that most dogs seem to love. Cucumbers have no fat or carbohydrates and it’s a lot healthier for your dog to eat a slice of cucumber rather than a dog biscuit. A slice of cucumber has about eight calories, and a typical dog biscuit has upwards of 40 calories. You do the math.
If your dog is overweight, cucumber slices are healthy alternatives to fattening doggy treats. This is also a hydrating treat because cucumbers are high in water content. In fact, cucumbers are comprised of 96% water, making them a perfect treat to give a dog after activities such as walking and playing hard.
If you are worried about your dog becoming overweight because you use treats for training, simply switch the treats to cucumber slices. In addition, cucumbers have soluble fibers, which can help satiate your dogs’ appetite and keep them from eating high-calorie alternatives.
Besides its low-calorie content, cucumbers also possess a ton of nutritional value including vitamins C, K, B1, B5, B6; potassium; calcium; molybdenum; manganese; zinc; and iron. They also contain phytonutrients and phytochemicals that can help keep your dog’s breath fresh by killing odor-causing bacteria.
When it comes to their diet, dogs can have cucumbers safely on occasion and it can be a good treat with a variety of health benefits.
When Are Cucumbers Not Good For Dogs?
While cucumbers are extremely healthy for dogs to eat, make sure that you do not give them the pickled variety. Pickles are loaded with salt, spices, and sugar, making them unhealthy treats for dogs. A little bit now and again won’t hurt, but pickles should not be a regular treat. Cucumbers are much better for them, and they are crunchy and taste great.
Cucumbers do pose a choking risk, especially for smaller dogs. If you are going to give your dog cucumbers as treats, make sure that you cut them into bite-size pieces that are manageable for your dog to eat without choking. This is particularly important if you have a dog that tends to swallow without chewing.
You’ll also want to consider that many store-bought cucumbers have a wax coating, which you should remove with water before giving to your dogs.
Yes, Dogs Can Eat Cucumbers in Moderation
Yes, cucumbers are healthy and low in calories, but you can still give too much of a good thing. Don’t be afraid to give cucumber pieces to your dog, but don’t overdo it, especially if you are just introducing this food into his diet. Too much of any food, especially something new, can lead to stomach upset in dogs.