Does your dog come running every time you open a jar of pickles? Do you have trouble resisting those sad eyes that are just begging for one of those delicious pickles? So now you’re wondering whether dogs eat pickles? Well, it’s time to get better at resisting, at least in the case of pickles. Keep reading to learn about why it is not a good idea to give most types of pickles to your dog.
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Can Dogs Have Pickles?
Pickles are not always the healthiest choice for treats to give to your dog. Yes, pickles are delicious and okay for humans to eat in moderation, but they are not a healthy treat for dogs in any way, shape, or form. You may be wondering why they are not good for dogs, considering the fact that cucumbers are so healthy for them, and pickles are made from cucumbers.
It is not the vegetable itself that is unhealthy. It is the brine that is unhealthy, since it is high in sodium, vinegar, and spices. All of these things can be harmful to dogs. But, there are some pickles that dogs can eat, in moderation of course. You just have to make sure that they are unsalted, unsweetened, and have no seasonings. If you do give your dog pickles with additives, choose sweetened pickles rather than salty and sour pickles such as dills.
Benefits of Dogs Eating Pickles
While this isn’t the healthiest treat in the world, there can be some benefits to dogs eating pickles. Since they are made from cucumbers, they do have a lot of vitamins. Home-made pickles are best, because you can control the amount of seasonings and vinegar that go into them, and you can control how long they are cooked. The longer any food is cooked, the more nutrients are lost.
Side Effects of Dogs Eating Pickles
It is important to never give your dog a lot of pickles in his diet. The more pickles they eat, the higher their sodium levels can get, which can lead to a number of problems. Too much sodium in the diet can cause kidney issues, high blood pressure, and heart disease. To be on the safe side, you might just want to steer away from giving your dog pickles all together.
How Many Pickles Can My Dog Eat?
Because pickles are so high in salt, it is important to make sure that if you do give any to your dog, that you give it in very small amounts. Give your dog 1-2 pickle slices, cut into small pieces, once or twice a week. Do not give your dog a whole pickle, as this can be difficult to digest. This is plenty, and it won’t add too much sodium to his diet. Also, never give your dog pickle juice because of the high salt and sugar content.
No, Don’t Let Your Dog Have Pickles
While pickles are high in fiber, vitamins A and K, manganese, iron, calcium, and potassium, it is not wise to feed them to your dog regularly. A pickle or two a week is fine, as long as it is low in salt and sugar. If you are worried about giving pickles to your dog, err on the side of caution and don’t.
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