Let’s know about Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers. Have you ever tried to prepare a salad bowl with cucumber slices? If you have, you’ve probably noticed how your dog is out there looking at you, wanting something bad!
Yes, dogs can go absolutely boner over a few slices of cucumber! If only kids were excited these days.
You being the responsible dog owner, you know that you have to give your dog an overall healthy and balanced diet, and you know that cucumbers are touted in the fitness community as one of the best vegetables to eat everyday.
However, you may not really know if cucumbers are safe to feed to your dog, which is why you are here reading this article.
The Reason We All Think About Getting Our Dogs to Eat Cucumbers
Cucumbers are one of the best (and most popular) vegetables I think of eating if we’re on a diet, due to the fact that 1 kilogram of cucumbers yields 200 calories – that’s awesome!
Try weighing 200 calories of cucumbers and see for yourself how many cucumbers there are.
Whenever I’m dieting and trying to slim down for a while after a rough patch in life that puts me on a few pounds, I make great use of cucumbers because I need such a small amount throughout the day. I feel calories.
But, you’re not here to listen to my diet adventures, you’re here to learn about whether your dog can safely eat cucumbers.
So, can dogs eat cucumbers? let’s find out!
Can Dogs Eat Cucumber?
Yes, dogs can eat cucumbers!
(Fun fact: did you know that the scientific name of cucumber is Cucumis sativa or Cucumis sativus if you are referring to a cucumber in its singular form).
Cucumbers are not toxic to your dog, so you have nothing to worry about if your dog gets his paws on a few pieces of cucumber.
Feel free to give Fido something as a special treat from time to time if you find that they are getting bored with their diet (even though your dog won’t get bored eating the same dog food every day in day out), or as a reward if they’re a good girl/boy during the training session.
But, don’t stop here – read on, as there are some important pointers you will need to follow to make sure you never harm any cucumbers you feed to your dog as an occasional treat. Without knowing these facts, many things could easily go wrong with your dog in the process.
How can dogs eat cucumbers?
Begin by carefully washing the cucumber to remove all pesticides and chemicals, and peel off the skin.
As long as you peel the cucumber and remove its skin, it is perfectly fine to give to your dog.
Dogs can’t eat cucumber peel (or cucumber skin) the easy way and I can, it may prove too difficult for your dog to digest.
The most popular (and best) way to give your dog cucumbers is to cut them into small slices and give your dog 2-3 pieces as a treat every now and then, perhaps even mixing cucumber slices with your dog’s food.
You can also choose to feed your dog boiled cucumbers. If you choose to do so, boil the cucumber pieces for about 5 minutes, then give 2-3 of these pieces to Fido!
What you don’t want to do is turn a cucumber into a pickle and then feed it to your dog.
As we have already covered in great detail in this article about dogs eating dogs , pickles contain very high levels of salt and vinegar which are very harmful to dogs if they eat them, and Very irritating to their digestive system.
Stick to feeding your dog the most natural form of cucumber instead.
How many cucumbers can dogs eat?
Even though cucumbers are not toxic to your dog in any way, this does not mean that your dog can eat innumerable cucumbers and still be fine.
If eaten in excessive amounts, vegetables (such as cucumbers in this case) can cause stomach problems in dogs, most of which are abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Therefore, if your dog eats cucumber and you notice that they are having digestive issues, you are best off feeding any cucumbers to your dog in the future.
If your dog eats a few cucumbers and shows no problematic signs of digestion, even if it means giving them cucumbers to eat, always remember that moderation is key!
Cucumbers for Dogs: Are They Good for Them?
Cucumbers are good for dogs because they:
– Made mostly of water, which means they have a very low carbohydrate content – both factors make this treat making an excellent treat for your dog.
Plus, and because of the extra high water content in cucumbers, you’ll kill two birds with one stone here, as it’s an excellent food you can give them to help keep them properly hydrated throughout the day. Assuming you’re already giving them enough water too, that is).
– Full of phytonutrients and phytochemicals that make your dog’s breath smell fresh.
Many dog owners are increasingly noticing that their dog has bad breath, so feeding their dog cucumbers can help, although it is not the end-all solution to the problem.
– are rich in antioxidants
– A great source of vitamins A, B1, B6, C and D, and K
Contains a compound called sterols which helps in lowering cholesterol levels
– are rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and fiber
– Keep blood pressure levels well regulated
– Contains silica, which helps to improve joint health and reduce pain from arthritis
– Keep your dog’s skin in excellent condition and improve your dog’s coat
Very low in calories, which makes them an excellent choice for dog treats in positive reinforcement training .
If your dog is overweight and you are limited by the choices of treats that you can feed them (since you obviously want to put them on a special diet that is going to help them lose that extra fat they Taking them with you) , cucumbers are a gift sent from heaven above!
In comparison, figs are very high in sugar and very high in calorie count like figs, and you will see which of the two is a better choice for overweight dogs trying to lose weight.
– Reduce inflammation and the risk of infection, and help them heal faster if present
– Help improve the condition of dogs suffering from kidney and liver problems
– Contains an element called curcurbitacins that hunt down cancer cells in your dog’s body and prevent them from spreading cancer in your dog’s body.
Contains an element called fisetin which improves your dog’s brain health, reduces the risk of memory loss and protects your dog’s brain cells from the harmful effects that come with the aging process.
