• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Puppy Foodie - all about dogs and their foods
  • Nutrition
  • Breeds
  • Doggie DIY
  • Grooming & Care
  • Accessories
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
You are here: Home / Nutrition / Can Dogs Safely Eat Cucumbers?

Can Dogs Safely Eat Cucumbers?

December 4, 2020 by Molly Weinfurter

Cucumbers might not be a preferred food for many humans, but if dogs can eat them, they probably will! Many dogs don’t think twice before taking a big bite of something, so kids might try to sneak fruits and vegetables to your furry friend under the table.

can dogs eat cucumbers

While dogs may act like a vacuum for all of the unwanted table scraps, that’s not a safe role for them. Not all human foods are the same for dogs as they are for humans. So, just because a food like a cucumber seems healthy doesn’t automatically mean it is. Always do your research before feeding a new food to your four-legged family member.

Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?

Not every fruit is safe for dogs to eat, but cucumbers sure are! They’re a low calorie treat that many dogs enjoy. As long as the cucumber is sliced or diced, your dog can safely eat it. Not only do cucumbers have a satisfying crunch, but they can also help keep your dog hydrated on a hot day. So, using cucumbers as a healthy treat, especially for training, might be a good idea for your canine.

Health Benefits of Cucumbers for Dogs

Cucumbers are not only safe for dogs, but they’re also healthy. They’re packed with a lot of essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, and potassium. All of those are essential for a balanced canine diet.

Additionally, cucumbers are also recommended for dogs who need to lose weight. They only have about 8 calories for each one-half cup of slices. The average bone-shaped biscuit has around 40 calories in each treat, so cucumbers are excellent alternative snacks to fill your dog up without causing them to gain extra weight.

The reason cucumbers have so few calories is because they’re made of 96% water. So, they’re recommended for dogs who get dehydrated easily and they’re great treats during a hot summer day.

Risks of Cucumbers for Dogs

The main risk associated with cucumbers for dogs is a choking hazard. Dog can choke if they eat cucumbers that aren’t cut small enough. This is true for any food, so make sure you cut the fruit into reasonably sized pieces for your pup when serving them.

Similarly to any food, it’s also important that you don’t give your dog too many cucumbers at once. If dogs eat too much of any food item, they could experience gastrointestinal upset, especially if it’s a new food to them. Eating too many cucumbers won’t cause any serious health concerns, but your dog will be more comfortable if they only eat small servings.

Humans who like cucumbers also tend to like pickles, but these are a completely different food. Pickles are often soaked in salt and possibly in other toxic human foods for dogs, such as garlic or onions. So, stick to plain cucumbers with no added flavors.

Can Dogs Eat Other Fruits and Vegetables?

Yes, there are plenty of other fruits and vegetables that dogs can safely eat. Cucumbers are healthy and can be the only human treat for dogs, but some pups prefer to mix up their snacks every once in a while. Some other healthy fruits for dogs include apples, blueberries, and bananas. Beneficial vegetables include carrots and kale.

However, not all healthy human foods are also healthy for dogs. Fruits like grapes, cherries, and avocados have parts that could be considered poisonous for dogs. Other fruits like oranges, lemons, and plums aren’t as toxic, but they often do more harm than good if dogs eat them. So, you can never just assume that all fruits are healthy without doing your research.

The same is true for vegetables. Mushrooms for dogs can be dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Other vegetables like asparagus aren’t deadly, but they’re difficult for dogs to eat and they provide no real health benefits. But luckily, most fruits and vegetables are harmless and even beneficial in some cases.

There are many human foods that are unsafe for dogs, but luckily, cucumbers aren’t one of them! If your dog needs a healthier snack or if they want to cool down during a hot day, a cucumber might be the perfect snack for them. Cucumbers should never supplement their meals, but they’re a healthy treat now and then. So, consider switching your dog’s high calorie biscuits to some tasty cucumber pieces. Your pup will thank you in the long run.

Filed Under: Nutrition

Previous Post: « How to Stop Your Puppy from Peeing in Their Crate
Next Post: Can Dogs Safely Eat Butter? »

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Can Dogs Safely Eat Cottage Cheese? says:
    March 23, 2021 at 11:37 pm

    […] more difficult for dogs to digest because many dogs are lactose intolerant. So, cottage cheese is a safe and healthy alternative for dogs because it’s better for them than other dairy […]

  2. Can Dogs Have Applesauce? Health Benefits and Risks says:
    March 23, 2021 at 11:47 pm

    […] risks just like every other food does, so make sure you check the ingredients before letting your dog eat it. After all, you wouldn’t want a new snack to make your dog […]

  3. Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal? Is it Good for Them? says:
    March 24, 2021 at 3:15 pm

    […] for a dog. But let’s look closer at oatmeal’s benefits and risks for dogs. Is it safe for your dog to eat on its own and how much is okay for them to have at […]

  4. Can Dogs Eat Crab Meat? says:
    March 24, 2021 at 3:23 pm

    […] dogs can eat crab, but it might not be the healthiest protein source for them. If your dog snatches some crab […]

  5. 5 Best Salmon Dog Food Products for Dogs Who Love Fishy Flavors says:
    March 24, 2021 at 3:24 pm

    […] Some dog parents worry about fish products containing unhealthy substances like mercury and metal. But luckily, salmon is considered a low mercury fish, which means it has a much lower risk of containing unhealthy levels of mercury. It’s one of the safest fish that your dog can eat. […]

Primary Sidebar

LET’S CONNECT

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard

Just so you know, this post may contain affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through links on this page, PuppyFoodie may collect a share of the sale or other compensation.

Recent Posts

  • Dog Fever Symptoms and Treatment OptionsDog Fever Symptoms and Treatment Options
  • How to Get a Puppy to Sleep Through the NightHow to Get a Puppy to Sleep Through the Night: Tips and Tricks
  • How to Calculate Dog Years From Human Years
  • Dog Anxiety Symptoms and How to Treat Them
  • Dog Food Allergy Symptoms and Treatments

Copyright © 2021 Puppy Foodie - all about dogs and their foods on the Foodie Pro Theme

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT