Let’s face it — feeding your dog can be stressful. What if they have a food allergy you don’t know about? What if they choke on it? What if this healthy treat somehow destroys their adorable fuzzy teeth? On those days when my mind starts running away with itself like this, I usually just steer clear of sharing anything with my dog other than his regular dog food. But then I start chopping vegetables and realize my dog is eyeing my cucumber longingly.
I was once right there with you. Up until a couple of years ago, I would only give Biscuit store-bought treats from the local pet store. The idea of homemade veggie treats scared me silly. Then one day I wondered, “Can dogs eat cucumbers?”
As it turns out, not only can dogs eat cucumbers, but cucumbers are actually one of the healthier treats you can share with Fido. Now that I’ve got cucumbers and dogs figured out, I’m here to teach you everything you need to know.
[Dog Eating Cucumber] Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers? Making The Perfect Crunchy Treat For Dogs
If you’ve ever been chopping veggies and looked down to find Fido staring up at you with those puppy dog eyes, you have probably wondered, can dogs eat cucumbers? Look no further, I’ve got answers. Cucumbers are safe for dogs and are one of the healthier treats you can share. But with any treat, there are some things you should know.
Why I Started Giving My Dog Cucumbers
One lazy summer afternoon I was chopping veggies for salad. Biscuit was bouncing all over the kitchen and being his adorable, needy self. I had already given him breakfast and lunch that day, and I just didn’t feel like pulling out a packet of generic store-bought training treats.
I popped a piece of cucumber in my mouth and thought, “Why can’t I give that to him?” So I did. I handed Biscuit an off-cut of cucumber and held my breath. He sniffed it curiously, licked it once, and took a big ol’ crunchy bite.
Holy guacamole. This dog literally licked his lips after chewing that cucumber. I’ll never forget it. That day began my obsession with feeding my dog human food. Okay, obsession might be strong. But I did learn a lot about what human foods were safe for dogs, and I fell in love with sharing veggies with Biscuit.
Cucumbers are just the beginning! If you want to learn everything you need to know about feeding your dog people food, stick around. I’m about to walk you through everything you need to know.
What Makes Cucumbers Safe For Dogs
Before you feed your dog any people food, it’s good to know what you’re actually feeding them. Cucumbers consist of 96% water. Seriously. 96% water. That means it’s incredibly hydrating and good for your pup on hot summer days!
It also has barely any fat and less sugar than most fruits and vegetables. That combo alone makes cucumber a winner in my book. But cucumbers also contain…
5 Reasons Dogs Should Eat Cucumbers
If you’ve wondered can dogs eat cucumbers, here is your reward for sticking around!
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They Are Super Hydrating
Dogs do not always drink enough water, especially when it’s hot outside or after lots of exercise. Because cucumbers are mostly water, feeding your dog cucumber is like sneaking them extra hydration. Not only that, but my dog loves crunching on those big ole’ chunks of cucumber.
It’s the perfect summer snack to take on hikes or during cooldown walks. Sitting outside with him this summer, watching him chew on a cucumber slice is by far my favorite way to spend an afternoon.
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They Are Low Calorie
If you’re watching your dog’s weight or you’re just nervous about too many treats dumping extra calories into your dog’s diet, cucumber is one of the best snacks you can choose. Half a cup of cucumber slices has less than 10 calories.
Compare that to store-bought dog treats that can run you 30–50 calories per piece or more. Cucumber is fantastic because you can feel less guilty about letting your pup indulge.
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They Have a Number of Beneficial Vitamins and Minerals
Who knew?! Cucumbers are full of vitamin K, vitamin C, and vitamin B1. They also contain potassium, magnesium, and biotin.
While these aren’t necessarily nutrients your dog needs — his dog food should be covering that — it doesn’t hurt that your dog is getting trace amounts of these vitamins and minerals when you feed him cucumbers. And it’s always good for seniors who may not absorb nutrients quite like they used to.
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They Freshen Up Bad Breath
Yes, you read that right! One of the chemicals in cucumbers can help fight the bacteria in your dog’s mouth that leads to bad breath. Now before you start feeding your pup cucumbers like they’re pieces of toothpaste, please brush his teeth.
I’m simply saying that if your dog has nasty breath, feeding him cucumber every now and then can’t hurt. It might even help a little!
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They’re Lower in Sugar Than Most Fruit
I love feeding my dog fruits (he’s obsessed with blueberries), but not all fruit is low in sugar. While fruits are an okay occasional treat for dogs, cucumbers are a much better option if your dog has diabetes or is prone to weight gain.
How To Feed Your Dog Cucumber
Okay, now that we’ve answered the question, “Can dogs eat cucumbers?” let’s make sure you’re feeding your dog cucumber the right way.
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Wash Them First
Please wash your vegetables before feeding them to your dog. You should always wash your veggies before cooking with them, but when feeding your dog raw veggies, it’s important to take note of any slippery dips or waxes used on veggies to prolong their freshness.
Run your cucumber under clean water and use a veggie brush to scrub the outside. You want to minimize the amount of pesticides and chemicals your dog ingests, just like you would for yourself.
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Cut Into Dog-Friendly Sizes
As tempting as it might be to hand your dog an entire cucumber julienne-style, it’s not a great idea. Pieces of food can be choking hazards for puppies and smaller dogs. Some dogs don’t chew their food properly and try to gulp food whole.
Regardless of your dog’s size, it’s always good to cut treats into chewable sizes. For little dogs, I like to cut my cucumbers into small round slices or quarters. For bigger dogs, I typically cut them into thicker half moons.
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Remove Seeds If Needed
While cucumber seeds aren’t toxic to dogs, they can upset an already sensitive stomach. If your dog has trouble with digestion, you can scoop the seeds out before serving your dog cucumber slices.
In fact, many garden cucumbers come with the seeds already scooped out. If your dog has no history of digestive upset, feel free to leave the seeds intact!
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Ease Them Into It
As with any new food, start with one or two cucumber slices and monitor your dog for the next 24 hours. Just because something is safe for dogs doesn’t mean your dog is going to automatically love it.
Don’t know how your dog will react? Monitor them when they eat any new food. If they display increased gas activity, loose stools, or vomiting after eating cucumber (or anything new), cut back on how much you feed your dog.
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Practice Moderation
It doesn’t matter how healthy a treat is — you should always feed it to your dog in moderation. Fresh vegetables should only make up 10% of your dog’s daily food intake.
Dog food is specially formulated to contain all the nutrients they need. While supplementing their diet with healthy veggies isn’t a bad idea, treats should never replace regular meals of high-quality dog food.
Are Cucumbers Dangerous For Dogs?
In general, cucumber is very safe for dogs. A few precautions need to be taken into consideration, however.
Make sure you remove the cucumber’s skin if your dog has a sensitive stomach. While it’s not toxic to dogs, it can be difficult for some dogs to digest.
Cooked or pickled cucumbers present a whole other story. Cucumbers in vinegar (otherwise known as pickles) are typically made with garlic, onions, spices, and salt. Not only are garlic and onion poisonous to dogs, but salt is incredibly unhealthy for canine consumption. If your dog ingests too much sodium, he can develop sodium ion poisoning.
While fresh cucumber is A-okay for dogs, never give your dog pickles.
Can Dogs Eat Spicy Pickled Cucumbers?
When feeding your dog cucumber, make sure the cucumber is fresh from the fridge. Never give your dog spicy or seasoned cucumbers, as seasoning can include ingredients that are poisonous to dogs.
Also refrain from feeding your dog cucumber salad that might contain dressing or dips. You want to give your dog plain, fresh cucumber!
Dog And Cucumber FAQs
Are you and your dog ready to crunch? Before you get slicing, here are some commonly asked questions about feeding your dog cucumber.
Can puppies eat cucumbers?
Yes! But limit the amount to a few little pieces at a time. Because of their small size and sensitive stomachs, puppies can choke on large pieces of food. Always supervise puppies when introducing new foods.
Can dogs eat cucumber skin?
Yes, but some dogs cannot digest cucumber skin. If your dog suffers from an upset stomach or digestion issues after eating cucumber with the skin on, peel your cucumber before serving.
How much cucumber can I give my dog?
It depends on your dog’s size. Smaller dogs may be happy with two or three pieces while larger dogs may want half a cup. Never exceed the 10% treat rule, though!
What if my dog doesn’t like cucumbers?
Dogs are weird, and just like people, they don’t all like the same things. If your dog sniffs that cucumber wheel and walks away, don’t sweat it! There are plenty of other vegetables that are dog safe.
Carrots? Check. Green beans? Check. Zucchini? Check. The list goes on!
Can dogs eat cucumber every day?
Yep! Cucumber makes a great daily treat. Just be sure you’re not going overboard on how much you’re feeding your dog and that they still eat their regular dog food.
Conclusion
So, can dogs eat cucumbers? Heck yeah they can! In fact, I love feeding cucumbers to my dogs. They’re hydrating, low calorie, super easy to prepare, and my dog inhales them.
I actually began keeping a small dish of pre-cut cucumber slices in my fridge just for him. Once you try feeding your dog cucumber, you’ll see why. Just remember to keep it plain, pack it in moderation, and cut it to an appropriate size for your pup.
Oh, and as always, please do your research and double-check with your vet whenever introducing new foods to your pup. Thanks for reading, dogs!
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