Yes, dogs can eat cucumbers. Cucumbers are healthy, nutritious treats for dogs. Hydrating and low in calories, this crunchy veggie endows supplementary nourishment to your furry companion.
Read on to find out the health benefits and risks of cucumbers for dogs and also the ideal way to serve them to your dog.
How are cucumbers beneficial to a dog’s health?
Fresh cucumbers are rich in vitamins and minerals that are good for dogs’ health, such as vitamin C and K, potassium, and magnesium. The following are the numerous health benefits of cucumbers when added to your dog’s diet:
- Keeps breath fresh
Phytonutrients and phytochemicals found in cucumbers help in eliminating odor-producing bacteria. It complements the daily brushing of your dog’s teeth. - Hydrates the body
Cucumbers are composed of 96% water. Serve this hydrating treat to your dog on a hot day or after an exercise to help him cool down. - Defends the body from free radicals
Cucumbers are a nutritious treat for your dog since they have antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese. They play a significant role in eliminating harmful free radicals from the body and preventing various diseases. - Reduces inflammation
The phytonutrients in cucumbers help in removing body waste and toxins. The fruit also contains a mineral called silica, which helps reduce joint swelling, inflammation, and pain. - Supports weight loss
Cucumber is a great low-calorie snack for obese dogs as it helps in weight loss. The fruit is packed with water and fiber, making dogs feel full despite eating less. Since it is a nonfattening food, cucumber makes great training treats for dogs too. - Improves bone strength
Cucumber has vitamin K, which assists in building strong bones. It also lessens the amount of stress on the bones, especially for highly active dogs. - Helps with digestion
Cucumbers are not only high in water content but also fiber. Both help in easing constipation and other digestive problems in dogs.
What are the top health concerns when feeding cucumbers to dogs?
Is cucumber safe for dogs to eat? Cucumber is a safe treat for dogs, but here are two slight health risks when feeding it to your dog. Let’s know what they are and what you can do to prevent them from happening.
Choking Hazard
Feeding your dog big chunks of cucumber is a bad idea. It can lead to choking, as large pieces of the fruit can lodge in his throat. Cutting the cucumber into bite-sized pieces is advisable so that Fido will have no trouble eating this great healthy snack.
Gastrointestinal Upset
Do cucumbers make dogs gassy? Yes, it can cause flatulence if it is fed in large amounts. The excessive amount of water and fiber causes flatulence. But that is not the only problem that may occur.
Feeding cucumber to your dog in excessive amounts can disrupt his digestive system. It can result in constipation and diarrhea.
Gastric problems may also occur if it is your pooch’s first time eating cucumber. So make sure to ask for the vet’s advice before adding the fruit to his meal.
Only feed him a small amount of cucumber once the vet confirms that the fruit can be added to your dog’s food. Monitor your dog for any signs of adverse reactions such as:
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Painful abdomen
If he exhibits these symptoms, stop feeding cucumber. Most of the time, an upset stomach will pass after 24 hours.
Within that period, fast your pooch to let his stomach rest and recover. However, make sure to give him adequate amounts of water to prevent dehydration.
Feed him bland food such as white rice and chicken meat after his fasting time is over. If vomiting and diarrhea persist after 24 hours, bring your dog to the vet immediately.
So, can dogs have cucumbers?
Now that we have learned the pros and cons of feeding cucumbers to dogs, it is time to answer the question: “Can dogs eat cucumbers?”
As you have seen, cucumber’s health benefits to dogs outweigh its risks. Therefore, cucumbers are perfectly safe treats for your dog so long as it is served in small amounts.
Some wonder: “Can dogs eat cucumbers daily?” Although cucumbers are safe for dogs to eat, dog owners should give these veggies to their pets occasionally. Around 2–3 cucumber slices are the recommended serving to dogs.
Can Puppies Eat Cucumber?
Avoid feeding cucumbers to unweaned puppies since their stomachs are not yet capable of digesting solid foods. Even highly digestible food like cucumbers can cause stomach upset if consumed.
On the other hand, fully weaned puppies can eat cucumbers. This is because they have already transitioned from drinking milk to consuming solid foods for sustenance.
But before giving chopped cucumbers to puppies, make sure to consult the vet first. Puppies have more sensitive stomachs than adult dogs because their digestive system is still developing.
Can dogs eat cucumbers raw?
Yes. Cucumbers can be served raw to dogs because they are packed with a lot of vitamins and minerals. Just make sure to cut the cucumbers into small pieces before serving them to dogs.
What about cooked cucumbers?
Yes, dogs can eat cooked cucumbers, but it is not recommended. It is because the heat has already dissolved most of the nutrients, so your furry friends will not gain many health benefits from eating it.
Can dogs eat cucumbers’ skin?
To avoid disrupting your dog’s digestive system, feed him peeled and seeded cucumbers. Similar to most fruits and vegetables, the cucumber skin and seeds contain the most nutrients. These are quite safe and nontoxic for dogs to eat. However, both can be difficult to digest.
You can gradually introduce cucumber with skin and seeds when he’s already accustomed to eating the fruit.
Remember to always wash the fruit before feeding it to your dog.
Can dogs eat pickled cucumbers?
Pickled cucumbers should not be offered to dogs. It is an unhealthy treat since it has spices, vinegar, salt, and sugar as preservatives. Feeding pickled cucumbers to your pooch will upset his stomach and even put him at risk of kidney problems, obesity, and salt poisoning.
Raw cucumber is the better option.
How to safely prepare cucumbers for your dog
Preparing cucumbers may seem easy to do, but it must be done with utmost care. The following is a simple step-by-step guide that can help you prepare cucumbers properly for your dog.
Choose organic cucumbers as they are grown without using chemical pesticides.
Wash the fruits thoroughly to remove any harmful bacteria or chemical residue from the skin.
Slice the cucumbers into small pieces to prevent choking. If it is your dog’s first time eating this fruit, consider removing the skin for easier digestion.
Home-made Cucumber Dog Treats
Cucumber is a refreshing fruit, but it can be an unexciting and bland snack for some dogs. Turn this simple fruit into a tasty and thirst-quenching food your dog will like by following this recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 fresh cucumber
- 3 cups watermelon
Procedures
- Peel the cucumber and slice it in half lengthwise.
- Remove the seeds using a spoon.
- Place the cucumber in your blender and blend until it is pureed.
- Pour the cucumber puree into the molds. Make sure only to fill about 1/4 of the molds.
- Freeze it for a minimum of 4 hours and serve it to your dog. Place uneaten treats in a resealable bag or airtight container and store them in the fridge.
