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Fed in moderation, some dog-safe fruits and vegetables can offer a healthy alternative to dog treats. If you’re asking, “Can dogs eat cucumbers?” then you’re in luck: Cucumber is one of these vegetables.
Can Dogs Have Cucumbers?
Cucumbers are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, and offer a low-calorie, crunchy snack that many dogs love. Cucumbers only contain about 8 calories per one-half cup of slices, compared to the 40 calories in a single medium dog biscuit. Cucumbers are also very low in sodium and fat-free.
There are two potential risks of feeding cucumbers to dogs: overeating and choking. Eating too much of any food item can cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset in dogs, especially if it is a new food your dog has not eaten before. Talk to your vet before introducing a new food or treat into your dog’s diet.
You’ll also want to make sure your dog doesn’t choke on cucumbers. To prevent your dog from choking, always cut food down to a manageable size, especially for small dogs or for pets that wolf down their meals. Feeding you dog a whole cucumber is not advisable.
Veterinarians recommend that treats should only make up 10% of your dog’s daily diet. This means that the amount of cucumber you feed your German Shepherd Dog will vary greatly from the amount you feed your Chihuahua. As with any new snack, introduce cucumbers slowly into your dog’s diet and keep an eye out for any negative reactions.
Are Cucumbers Good for Dogs?
Cucumbers are an excellent and healthy treat. They are especially good for pets that need to lose weight, as they are low in calories. Cucumbers also have high water content. This crunchy vegetable is actually 96% water, which makes it a tasty and hydrating summer treat.
Combined with exercise and a diet plan, cucumbers and other safe fruits and vegetables can be a great way to help an overweight dog get in shape without cutting out rewards. This is especially helpful if your dog’s weight-loss plan involves training for a fun new dog sport or if your dog needs encouragement to improve their leash manners.
However, avoid feeding your dog pickles. These contain added spices and salt that can be harmful at worst and unnecessary at best. While a bite of pickle probably won’t hurt your dog, stick with plain cucumbers as a regular treat and avoid feeding pickles of any variety to dogs.