It’s fun to share your food with your pet pal, but it’s not always safe to do so. Just because fruits and vegetables are recommended for human consumption doesn’t make them all safe for pets to eat. Our nutritional needs differ, along with our digestive systems. Before sharing “human food” with your dog, research whether it’s safe for them to consume—it’ll save you from many heart-breaking visits to the veterinarian.
Thankfully, that crunchy, long, and green vegetable that we know and love to be a cucumber is safe for dogs and an excellent alternative to high-calorie dog treats. Not only are they healthy, but they’re a great food option to sit and share with your pet pal.
Are Cucumbers Healthy for Dogs?
Cucumbers are safe for dogs to eat and they have several health benefits attached to them too. However, they should be munched up in moderation, as with all snacks.
Low in Calories
Most commercial dog treats contain quite a few calories. If your dog is becoming obese, you need to be very careful with the number of treats you give them, no matter how well-behaved they are. If you’re a frequent rewarder but need to get your dog’s weight under control, swap commercial dog treats out for cucumber wedges.
For one medium unpeeled cucumber, you’re working with around 30 calories, so if you chop it up into 10 wedges, you’re feeding your dog around three calories per tasty treat. Cucumbers contain no fat and only a few carbs—perfect for your ever-munching pal.
Don’t worry; you’re not doing your dog in with cucumber wedges as they love the crunchy and juicy texture. You can also add chunks of cucumber to their kibble to make it more hydrating.
High Water Content
Although low in calories, they offer a high-water content, with one cucumber consisting of 95% water. These juicy chunks are the ideal treats to reward your active dog with and are especially appreciated on hot days. Giving your dog frozen cucumber chunks is a great way to cool them down.
A hydrated dog is more likely to have healthy digestion and good circulation, so be sure to offer them plenty of water and hydrating snacks.
High in Vitamins, Minerals, and Fiber
Cucumbers contain a decent number of vitamins and minerals, with a few of them being vitamin C and K, Magnesium, Potassium, and Manganese. They also contain fiber, which aids in good gut health.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that reduces inflammation, and Vitamin K enables your dog’s blood to clot. Magnesium keeps the immune system healthy as well as nerve and muscle function. Potassium maintains good electrical charges in the body, and Manganese helps your dog’s body produce energy. It’s safe to say that cucumbers offer a lot of health benefits.
Do They Have Any Risks?
There are a few risks involved with your dog eating cucumbers. However, they can be avoided when fed to your dog correctly.
Firstly, you need to give cucumbers to your dog in moderation. Giving your dog a full cucumber to chew on and consume is going to upset their stomach because of the seeds and skin on it. If your dog grew up snacking on cucumbers, they’d probably be fine, but if this is a new treat, stick to small portions to avoid gastrointestinal upset.
Another concern is choking. Even if your dog is familiar with cucumber, giving them an unsliced one can cause choking as they’re likely to try to wolf it down and cause a bit of damage in the process. Keep your dog safe and cut the cucumber into bite-size wedges, especially if they’re a small breed or still a puppy.
Often, smaller-sized cucumbers are pickled, and a lot of salt is added to them. Too much salt is dangerous to your dog and can result in vomiting, diarrhea, fever, tremors, and seizures.
Pickled cucumbers often contain other ingredients, too, such as onions and garlic, which aren’t dog friendly. They are toxic to dogs because they contain a compound that negatively affects their red blood cells.
Conclusion
Cucumbers are safe for your dog to snack on and are great low-calorie commercial dog treat alternatives that contain a high-water content and plenty of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Avoid giving your dog a full cucumber to consume as it may cause gastrointestinal upset and may cause your dog to choke. Avoid pickled cucumbers as they contain ingredients that are harmful to your dog.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
