All dog owners like to give their furry friend a little treat from time to time. This is especially the case when we’re eating our own food and our dogs seem more interested in what’s on our plate than what’s in their own bowls! This can lead to many questions about what foods are safe and healthy for a dog to eat.
One of the foods that you might have wondered about is cucumbers. Many fruits and vegetables can be safely shared with dogs but there are some that are toxic, making it important to double-check how safe they are before we feed them to our beloved pets. Luckily, cucumbers are safe for dogs to eat!
In this article, we will take a closer look at cucumbers and whether dogs can eat them. We’ll look at whether cucumbers are good for dogs and things to watch out for if you do decide to give your dog some cucumbers. We’ll answer all of your questions about feeding cucumbers to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Cucumbers?
Yes, they can! Cucumbers are perfectly safe for dogs to eat and can be very beneficial to dogs. We don’t recommend giving a dog a whole cucumber to eat, but a few bite-sized pieces should do your dog no harm.
It’s best to only try your dog with a little cucumber though, as some dogs can be sensitive to cucumbers, just as they can be sensitive to any food!
Can Dogs Eat the Skin Of A Cucumber?
Yes, dogs can eat cucumber skin as well as the flesh of a cucumber. With some dog-safe fruits and vegetables such as oranges, it is very important that the skin or peel is removed first. However, this isn’t the case with cucumbers so you don’t need to worry about peeling the cucumber first.
Cucumber skins are full of nutrients that will help your dog. Just make sure that you give the cucumber a good wash first as any amount of dirt or pesticides on the skin can cause your dog harm.
Can Dogs Eat The Seeds Of A Cucumber?
Thankfully yes, dogs can also eat the seeds of a cucumber. Removing the seeds would be a very messy and finicky task but you don’t need to worry about it because dogs can eat cucumber seeds without any issues.
Can Dogs Eat Pickled Cucumbers?
No, you should not feed your dog pickled cucumbers or pickles of any kind. Pickles are usually quite acidic and can also be very spicy and salty, making them a bad combination for your dog. They aren’t necessarily toxic for your dog, but they won’t taste as nice or be as healthy as the unpickled variety.
How To Safely Give Your Dog Some Cucumber
There are two main things to keep in mind when you give your dog some cucumber.
Bite-Sized Pieces Are The Best
If you give your dog a whole cucumber, or even a large piece, this can be a choking hazard. Some dogs have stomachs that are bigger than their eyes and will try to wolf down the entire cucumber without stopping to bite into smaller pieces first, so it is best to cut the cucumber into manageable pieces.
The size of the pieces will depend on the size of your dog, but aim for something that they can easily fit into their mouths without their mouths being stuffed full.
Don’t Give Them Too Much
Although cucumber is healthy and has many benefits for a dog, too much cucumber can be a bad thing. Cucumbers are very high in fibre and too much fibre can lead to diarrhoea and dehydration.
We recommend trying your dog with just a single piece of cucumber first. If there are no adverse effects, then consider giving your dog a little more. Every dog is different and some are more sensitive to fibre than others, so whenever you introduce something new to your dog’s diet, it is best to try only a little at first.
What Are The Healthy Benefits Of Cucumbers For Dogs?
We’ve mentioned a couple of times in this article that cucumbers are healthy and a good source of nutrients for dogs, so let’s now take a closer look at what these benefits are.
- Low in sugar, salt, and calories – cucumbers are very low in calories, sugar, and salt. This makes them a great snack for dogs as they are lacking in many of the “bad” things that can harm a dog’s diet.
- High water content – dogs need water to keep them hydrated and cucumbers are over 90 percent water! Cucumbers are a great way to get more water in your dog’s diet without them actually drinking water and can be very refreshing when served cold on a warm summer’s day.
- Soluble Fibre – cucumbers aren’t just high in fibre, they’re also high in soluble fibre. This is fibre that absorbs water as it moves through the digestive system and it helps with gut health and will keep your dog regular
- High in vitamin K – dogs don’t naturally produce vitamin K so they need it in their food. This vitamin helps with healing injuries, clotting blood, and reducing allergies
- Contains manganese – this mineral helps to keep bones and joints healthy
- Contains potassium – this mineral helps with the electrical charges needed to send messages around your dog’s body
Final Thoughts
In this article, we took a deep dive into whether dogs can eat cucumbers. We confirmed that dogs can eat cucumbers, including the skin and seeds, without any problems.
It’s best to feed dogs bite-sized portions to prevent choking hazards and to only give them a little, especially when they try cucumber for the first time. We don’t recommend giving dogs pickled cucumbers.
Cucumber has many health benefits for dogs, including keeping them hydrated, helping their digestive system, and keeping their bones healthy.
