Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?
Many dogs are prone to having sensitive stomachs, mainly because they're curious and want to try new things.
Almost everyone knows that chocolate can be deadly for dogs. The standard is that if a dog eats an ounce of chocolate for every pound of their weight, they're in danger of chocolate poisoning.
While most dog owners know it's not smart to give their dogs even a lick of chocolate, many pet owners find themselves curious about whether their furry friends can eat other human foods, like cherries or cucumbers?
Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?
Yes, dogs can eat cucumbers and they are perfectly safe for them.
Cucumber slices are an excellent treat for your dog, as they are 95% water. They can help to keep your beloved pup hydrated, especially on a hot summer's day!
Try Wild Earth 30% Off Today!They're low in sodium, fat, and they're the perfect training or outing treats! They also boost vitamin C. Cucumbers contain magnesium, potassium, and vitamin K, too!
A cup of freshly chopped cucumber only has about a gram of sugar. Because of the low-sugar and low-calorie count, cucumbers are a perfect treat option for pets with diabetes or reduced-calorie diets.
When Can't Dogs Eat Cucumbers?
Pickled cucumbers are packed with salt, and sometimes contain additional ingredients that aren't good for dogs, like onion or garlic.
If you want to add cucumbers to your pup's diet, skip anything pickled.
Don't allow your dog to overeat cucumber, either. Overeating anything can lead to an upset stomach. Plus, the seeds and skin of a cucumber can upset a dog's tummy, so opt to feed cucumber slices without the skin or seeds.
Removing the seeds and skin isn't a must, but it's a good idea to try first, especially if your canine already has food sensitivities or is a picky pup.
Remember, cucumbers are a choking hazard. Don't ever give your dog a whole cucumber or too much at once, as they could eat too fast and end up choking.
Chop cucumber pieces or slices into a manageable size, and begin with a small amount.
How Many Cucumbers Can Dogs Eat?
If you're wondering how often can dogs eat cucumbers, veterinarians recommend going by the 10% rule. Cucumber is considered a treat, not a replacement food.
The 10% rule recommends that treats should never make up more than 10% of a dog's daily diet. If you have different sized dogs, you will vary how much cucumber you give to each of them.
Even though cucumbers are deemed harmless to dogs, introduce any new food slowly, and watch for any adverse reactions.
Think about the way you serve them, too. While a smaller pup might benefit from half-moon slices, a larger dog might be able to handle a bigger spear. If you're unsure, air on the side of caution to alleviate any risk of cucumbers posing as a choking hazard. This is something we also talked about it our can dogs eat bananas article.
What Fruits Can Dogs Eat?
In addition to cucumber, there is a myriad of fruits that dogs can safely eat and benefit from.
Banana Superfood Treats are a great food for dogs! Bananas are packed with nutrients like potassium.
Apples are an excellent addition to a pup's diet, as they contain fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Just be sure to get rid of the core, though.
Apple cores are a choking hazard. Plus, apple seeds contain cyanide and can be harmful to dogs. Stick to apple slices, and your pup will relish in the sweet treat!
Blueberries and blackberries are safe for dogs to eat, too. Blackberries are high in antioxidants, which can help promote healthy skin and a strong immune system. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and contain lots of fiber and vitamins.
Some other types of fruit that are safe for dogs are:
- Coconut
- Melon
- Cranberries
- Kiwi
- Oranges
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Pear
- Watermelon
Tangerines are great for dogs, too, but stay away from more acidic citrus fruits like lemons and limes.
Raspberries are a perfect treat for dogs as they contain vitamin C and other beneficial nutrients. However, they contain small amounts of xylitol, which isn't safe for dogs. Thus, they can eat raspberries in moderation.
Strawberries are an incredible option. They contain tons of healthy nutrients like iron, copper, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins C, K, and E. Plus, they fight cancer, lower cholesterol, and promote healthy blood pressure.
Wild Earth Strawberry & Beet Superfood Treats are a great way to get your pup healthy fruit options that also contain healthy protein.
What Other Foods Should Dogs Not Eat?
While there are tons of different types of fruit your pup can safely enjoy, there are a few you should avoid.
Certain fruits like cherries, dates, and avocado can harm your pet. Whether it's due to trace amounts of cyanide in the seeds or the seeds and pits as choking hazards themselves, be careful before you share the fruit with your pup.
Avocados are toxic to dogs, as are grapes and raisins. Peaches, plums, and apricots are fine to eat, as long as it's just the flesh. The pits are extremely dangerous to canines.
As a rule of thumb, stay away from pits and seeds.
The flesh of figs and dates are ok in moderation, but they can both cause diarrhea in dogs.
Are Cucumbers Safe For Dogs?
Are you still wondering, can dogs eat cucumbers? The answer is that yes, they can! Just be sure to start with a small amount, and to remove the skin and seeds at first.
Don't give your dog an amount that's greater than 10% of their diet.
Make sure to cut the cucumber into slices or small pieces, too, depending on the pup. Bigger pieces or a whole cucumber can pose a serious choking hazard to dogs.
