When it comes to our four-legged friends, many of us love to offer them a variety of tasty human edibles, alongside their primary dog food. One of the questions we often hear from the pet owners is : Can dogs eat cucumbers?
Undoubtedly, the food that is tasty and nutritional for us humans isn’t always the healthiest and the safest choice for our dogs!
Therefore, it pays to do a little research first into whether your dog can eat a specific food type before offering it.
In this article, we will consider whether cucumbers are okay for dogs to eat. We will also discuss if cucumbers are safe to give to puppies.
Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?
So, can dogs eat cucumbers?
According to veterinarians and canine health professionals, it is perfectly fine for a dog to eat cucumber!
That is to say, as long as a cucumber is fed to dogs in moderation and does not take the place of their usual dog diet, then there should be no reason why they can’t enjoy cucumber as a snack.
It goes without saying that a dog’s primary food source should come from a diet of kibble and/or meat mixed in with this.
This selection would suit your dog’s preference and should be offered as the main meal twice a day once they are adults. For puppies, smaller bowls should be provided three to four times a day.
In between those set mealtimes is the best time for offering additional food choices, that is snack and treats, such as cucumber.
Ultimately, your dog’s food is vital in ensuring a healthy lifestyle and balanced weight while offering valuable nutrients for your pet’s performance during the day.
Therefore, firstly, get the balance of the meals right. Then, treats such as cucumber can be healthy extra food selections throughout the day, albeit in moderation!
Are Cucumbers Safe for Dogs?
Though we often refer to cucumbers as regular vegetables, they are, in fact, technically a fruit!
Available worldwide and in many different varieties, they are scientifically known throughout as a Cucumis Sativus.
Cucumbers are widely cultivated plants that belong to the same family as the watermelon, squash, zucchini, and pumpkin!
Considering that humans have been eating these green vegetables/fruits for well over 3000 years now, it was only a matter of time before someone decided to offer them to dogs to enjoy. Yet, other animals and indeed insects have also been enjoying them for hundreds of years too!
We know that cucumbers have been cultivated for humans, but can dogs eat cucumbers and are they safe for them? Many dog owners are concerned about the safety of these fantastic vegetables/fruit.
This concern comes from two areas; that of the safety of the ingredient itself and of course, the unusual shape of this green treat! Here we consider these two aspects a little further.
Cucumbers are safe as occasional treats for most dogs. They are perhaps the better choice of snacks because of their almost zero fat and sugar content.
Therefore, if you can get used to training your dog with the aid of cucumber titbits, you’ll not only ensure a better behaved dog but a healthier one as a result!
Many dog owners like to offer cucumbers as treats to their dogs on a hot day. Then again, it is the healthier of snacks to provide in such conditions and perfect for keeping your pet hydrated.
With a cucumber consisting of 96% of water content, this is certainly a more practical way for your dog to consume something worthwhile as he walks on a hotter day.
Preparing cucumber for your dog
Concerning cucumber’s shape and size, it is never a good idea to allow a dog to eat a whole cucumber without cutting it up first! As an exception, the dog can eat cucumber of the whole size if it is a large canine.
The best way to prepare a cucumber for a dog is to cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Ideally, these pieces should be small and comfortable enough to chew and swallow. If not cut correctly, there is the possibility of choking on cucumber. It happens especially in those dogs that are not used to chew their food or indeed treats!
So, try cutting your cucumber offerings to the size that you find in your usual dog’s treats. Only then offer it to your pooch.
Can Puppies Eat Cucumbers?
Can dogs eat cucumbers when they are puppies?
Some dog owners may consider offering puppies cucumbers instead of other regular treats. The main reason is that they are concerned about dog treats’ sugar and fat content.
It is primarily a good idea as it will start your puppy off on the right track. Namely, it will ensure it doesn’t put on too much weight or develop a sweet tooth at such an early stage. It will also help with the training of your puppy.
However, there are a few times when we do not recommend offering cucumber to a puppy. It is because a puppy is still at that developing stage, and therefore its digestive system is still delicate.
As with all treats at the puppy stage, moderation is key. All treats offered should be occasional and only in small proportions.
What’s more, cucumber should only be offered to a puppy once it has been weaned. In other words, when the puppy is capable of eating solid food types and, therefore, not at risk of choking.
Additionally, if you are still offering your puppy milk, your dog can not eat cucumbers until it stops drinking dairy products.
When combined, milk and cucumber ultimately lead to an upset stomach in dogs. It is certainly not what you want to see in a puppy.
Therefore, steer clear of cucumber if your puppy does currently have dairy products of any kind in their diet.
Are Cucumbers Good for Dogs?
Let’s discuss further, – can dogs eat cucumbers and are they good for them?
Cucumbers are great for dogs, just as they are for humans! It is indeed one of the healthiest of vegetable/fruit, and its make-up is simple. Therefore, cucumber doesn’t pose any issues when regularly snacking on it.
With a high content of water, cucumbers are also the most dietary type of food when it comes to calorie count!
Low in sugar, sodium, and fat, cucumbers also offer an abundance of vitamins and minerals.
These nutrients include:
- Vitamin B6
- Potassium
- Vitamin B1
- Manganese
- Vitamin B5
- Biotin
- Vitamin K
- Molybdenum
- Vitamin C
Health benefits of cucumber
Cucumbers can have significant benefits health-wise. However, as mentioned earlier, it’s never recommended as good practice to offer them alongside other types of dairy products, such as milk and cheese. This combination will more than likely cause stomach upsets.
Alongside the vitamins and minerals in abundance throughout cucumbers, there are many other good reasons to offer this food type to dogs. Those reasons are often likened to the benefits for humans eating cucumbers!
Cucumber can help to improve the health of a dog’s joints while strengthening their bones. This health benefit is due to the increase in calcium alongside vitamin K.
Additionally, cucumber can help the pancreas in producing insulin. It is due to the hormone that this fruit contains, known as Cucurbita Ficifolia.
As well as that, cucumber can help to improve the health of a dog’s heart. This health benefit is related to the potassium and fiber contained in this vegetable/fruit. These nutrients encourage a reduction in blood sugar spikes while stimulating the release of insulin.
Finally, cucumbers can help when it comes to their anti-inflammatory proprieties – therefore making them ideal for the skin.
Best of all, most dogs will enjoy eating all proprieties of cucumber, that is, the skin, insides, and seeds.
Unless your dog is a bit fussy, there’s usually no need to section the cucumber into parts and eliminate certain areas beforehand, unless you prefer to peel your cucumbers anyway.
Are Cucumbers Bad for Dogs?
As with every food type, dogs will, just like humans, won’t feel great if that food is offered to them continually and if a healthier balanced diet is not delivered in between.
So, it goes without saying that cucumbers can become bad for a dog should they be fed in excessive quantities over the occurrence of a typical day.
Unfortunately, it is the actual water content in a cucumber, though instantly one of its advantages, that can also be the cause of some problems when consumed in large amounts!
The excessive amount of water found in cucumber can, for many dogs, lead to increased stomach problems.
Otherwise known as gastrointestinal disorders, the most common problems here usually tend to centre around increased gas and diarrhea.
As well as water content, there is an increase in fiber. While fiber is a useful element in a dog’s diet, too much of it can also loosen the stools and bring on an upset stomach in the process.
Along with intensified gassiness, bloatedness, and diarrhea, problematic stomach pains can occur. This condition is most likely in those dogs who already have sensitive tummies.
Perhaps the biggest problem is that a dog can’t let the owners know that it has a stomach ache. Therefore, it will often only present itself in physical symptoms.
Though such gastrointestinal problems rarely ever lead to anything more sinister, it can be quite an uncomfortable time for your dog.
Fortunately, these symptoms, once apparent, can be solved by stopping feeding your dog cucumber – at least until it feels better again. After the symptoms pass, you can offer the cucumber again in moderation.
Should these symptoms persist, then it may be worth taking your dog to the vet to get a check-up.
Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers? Final Thoughts
When it comes to answering the question, – can dogs eat cucumbers, the most important thing is to get the balance right for your canine. Overall, considering a healthy choice for the treats is excellent practice.
From a very early age, puppies who are given healthier treats, instead of those laden with high salt and sugar content, will ultimately have a better development both physically and emotionally over the long term.
Therefore, if you’re thinking about offering your dog cucumber as a treat, you should do so but in moderation.
A fantastic vegetable/fruit choice, your dog will benefit vastly from its many nutrients and high water content derived from this occasional hydrating treat.
Things to remember when giving cucumber to your dog
- Only offer cucumber to puppies that have been weaned
- Never mix cucumbers with other dairy products
- Cut the cucumber you give to your dog into easy to manage sizes
- Keep feeding your dog their primary meals twice a day
- Dogs can eat cucumbers in moderation
- Stop feeding your dog cucumber if you spot any signs of illness or disagreements with the food
- Keep in mind the requirements of a healthy dog diet which includes that of protein, fat, and carbohydrates
- Wash a cucumber before offering it to your dog
- Consider peeling the skin off cucumbers beforehand if you can’t be sure where they come from
- Never feed your dog fermented cucumber (that is the pickled variety)
We hope that in this article we highlighted all main points that answer the question, – Can dogs eat cucumbers?
What about the drinks that your doggy can drink safely, apart from water? If you want to find out more about what drinks can dogs consume, read our detailed articles – “Can dogs drink coffee?”, “Can dogs drink tea?”. Also, you will find the complete articles answering the questions “Can dogs drink gatorade?”, “Can dogs drink beer?” , “Is milk safe for dogs?” by clicking the link.