Can dogs eat cucumbers? Yes, cucumber slices are an excellent treat for your dog, as they contain 95% water. They can help keep your furry pup hydrated, especially on a hot summer day! They’re low in sodium fat, and they’re the perfect training or outing treat!
There is only about one gram of sugar in one cup of freshly cut cucumbers. Due to its low sugar and low-calorie content, cucumber is an ideal treatment option for diabetic or low-calorie pets.
Read on to get the answer to all your questions about adding cucumber to a dog’s diet!
According to Dr. Karen Baker, can dogs eat cucumber?
According to Dr. Karen Baker, 15-25% of a healthy dog’s diet should be fruits or vegetables, and cucumbers are a great choice! That’s one reason Raw Bistro uses cucumber as part of our frozen and dehydrated chicken.
Cucumbers for Humans are a healthy, low-calorie treat that your dog will love. Not only can your dog eat cucumber, but considering all the various health benefits, your dog should eat some cucumber as part of their diet.
Health Benefits: Dog and Cucumber
Dogs can eat cucumbers only if adequately prepared for them. To fully understand the health benefits of feeding cucumbers to your dog, let’s examine the nutritional value of cucumbers.
Many people think that water is plenty but not enough nutrients. They are only partially correct. Cucumbers are full of a variety of great vitamins and minerals that your dog can enjoy.
One cup (104 grams) of cucumber contains:
16 calories
Vitamin K – 19% DV
Molybdenum – 12% DV
Potassium – 4% DV
Copper – 4% DV
Vitamin C – 4% DV
Vitamin B1 – 3% DV
Manganese – 4% DV
Vitamin B1 – 3% DV
Biotin – 3% DV
You can learn more about the nutrients in cucumbers by using the GoodData Central resource.
Choosing Cucumbers for Dogs
Let’s take a look at how cucumbers can benefit your dog in different ways, so now is the time to learn the best way to serve this tasty treat to your pup.
- Choose Organic Cucumber
If you can, it’s always beneficial to choose organic products. Many non-organic products still contain small amounts of harmful pesticides, which can be problematic for you, your furry friend, and anyone else who eats your produce. Choosing organic produce is cleaner and healthier.
- Always Wash Your Vegetables
It’s essential to take the time to wash your fruits and vegetables before serving them to your dog.
- Serve cucumber raw or cooked.
You can serve cucumbers raw or cooked – it’s entirely up to you what your dog likes. Generally, raw cucumber is the simplest and will retain the most nutritional value. There’s also the bonus of a bit of crunch that many dogs love.
- Skip the seasoning!
Cucumbers are suitable for your pup, but too many spices aren’t the best. Too many seasonings can affect your puppy’s digestive system.
- Make Cucumbers Special for Your Baby
Your dog should not eat only one cucumber a day. But if they’re a big fan, consider making it a training treat. You can also cut cucumber into small pieces to encourage your dog to learn a new trick and feed them something healthy too! This is an easy way to keep the total amount of fruits and vegetables around 15-20% of your dog’s diet.
What about cucumber pickles?
Pickles are fermented fruits containing salt, spices, and ingredients such as garlic or onions toxic to your dog. It’s best to stick with fresh, frozen, steamed, or dehydrated cucumbers as a healthy treat.
Can diabetic dogs eat cucumbers?
The shallow sugar content in cucumbers makes them ideal for diabetic dogs. Still, you always want to check with your vet before introducing them to your puppy.
Some studies have shown that cucumber may be beneficial in fighting diabetes in animals. Because they do not contain starch. Starch turns into sugar in your dog’s system. But unsweetened cucumber can help regulate insulin and blood sugar levels. Good news, isn’t it?
How many cucumbers can a dog eat?
If you’re wondering how often dogs can eat cucumbers, vets recommend following the 10% rule. Cucumbers are supposed to be a treat, not a replacement food.
The 10% rule recommends that treats never exceed 10% of a dog’s daily diet. If you have dogs of different sizes, how many cucumbers you give to each of them will vary.
Also, think about how you serve them. While a small puppy may benefit from slices of a half-moon, a giant dog may be able to handle an enormous spear. If you are still unsure, take a look at the precautions to be taken.
Cucumbers for Dehydrated Dogs
Have you ever heard that the human body is made up of 50% to 60% water? It’s almost the same for a dog’s body! Water is essential for dogs, and to be honest, many dogs do not get enough of it. Fortunately, cucumbers are great snacks that provide your dog with extra water. About 95% of cucumbers are by weight of water!
Note: I like to use cucumbers as a refreshing treat after taking my dog ​​out for a nice, long walk.
Benefits of cucumber for dogs
It makes a great way to get your dog a little extra hydration. Along with hydration benefits, cucumbers are also rich in vitamin K, which helps strengthen your dog’s bones. This is an incredibly beneficial health benefit for such a person.
Cucumbers for weight loss in dogs
If your dog doesn’t like cucumbers, broccoli is also a low-calorie snack containing about 91 percent water.
Cucumber will freshen your dog’s breath.
A little-known secret is that cucumbers are full of phytochemicals and phytonutrients that will help freshen your dog’s breath. Phytochemicals do this by killing the odor-causing bacteria trapped in your dog’s mouth.
Cucumber for healthy liver and kidney
Suppose your dog is suffering from any disease related to the liver or kidney. In that case, some pieces of cucumber can be beneficial for him.
Healthy Joints for Arthritis Dogs
Dogs suffering from arthritis can relieve some of their discomfort with a few slices of cucumber. If your dog doesn’t like the taste of cucumbers, another great vegetable that has a similar effect is carrots.
Can dogs eat cucumber seeds?
There are very few risks with cucumbers. The cucumber seeds and skin are not toxic to your dog. Still, there are some precautions regarding how much you should give them. the high water and fiber content in cucumbers can cause gastrointestinal upsets such as gas or diarrhea if your dog overeats.
Can Dogs Eat Cucumber Skin?
Yes, dogs can eat a cucumber peeled or with its rind intact. Still, it is generally recommended that you remove the skin beforehand. Dogs find the cucumber skin difficult to digest, but small portions should be delicate. It’s always best to peel off to protect the skin.
Side Effects: Feeding Cucumber to Dogs
With all the many health benefits that cucumbers provide to your dog, it is a no-brainer option for treating your specific dog.
However, there can be side effects like all fruits and vegetables without moderation.
- Diarrhea in Dogs
Excessive amounts of water and fiber can cause diarrhea or diarrhea in dogs. There is also a “problem” with cucumbers in that they contain mostly water and a moderate amount of fiber. Usually, water and fiber are good things, but if there is too much in the system, it can turn into a bad situation.
- Stomach Pain in Dogs
It is unlikely that a dog will experience severe abdominal pain after eating a cucumber, but it is possible. Mild abdominal pain is more common but usually only occurs in dogs with sensitive stomachs. If you find that your dog’s behavior is unusual and is causing them colic, stop feeding them cucumbers and contact your vet.
What fruits can dogs eat?
In addition to cucumbers, there are various fruits that dogs can safely eat and take advantage of.
Some other ten fruits that are safe for dogs are:
Beneficial fruits that dogs can eat
Apple slices
Strawberry
Watermelon
Final thoughts
As with any changes you would like to make regarding your dog’s health, you will want to consult with your pet vet before you begin adding cucumbers to your dog’s diet. Although this is incredibly rare, it is still possible that your dog is allergic to cucumbers. So, be sure to check with your pet vet before heading to the grocery store.