Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers? Are Cucumbers Good or Bad for Dogs? Here’s everything you need to know

Cucumbers make the ideal healthy snack for a hot summer’s day. This vegetable is enjoyed by people all over the world and is especially known for how well it complements any salad.

However, if you are a pet owner, you have to wonder if cucumbers are as good for your dog as they are for you.

So before attempting to feed your dog, ask the question, Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers? Let’s take a close look at the answer.

What do you need to Know about Dogs and Cucumbers?

Cucumbers enhance your dog’s immune system. The Vitamin C in the cucumbers helps to strengthen the white blood cells, making them function more efficiently. Interferon is the body’s natural anti-cancer and antiviral compounds and cucumbers help to increase the blood levels of Interferon.

The vitamins contained in cucumbers also increase the number of antibodies in the body which together with a healthy immune system reduces the likelihood of abscesses, respiratory infections, kennel cough and other bacterial infections.  Dogs are less likely to get sick if they have a strong and healthy immune system.

Cucumbers contain vitamin D, which makes calcium and phosphorus absorb quickly into the intestines. It also reduces the amount of calcium lost in urine, allowing your dog to get more out of this vitamin.

Calcium supports healthy bone formation and structure, ensuring that your dog doesn’t break or fracture his limbs easily.  Calcium is especially good for your dog in his puppy stages. They need lots of calcium during this time. It also helps to prevent a condition called osteomalacia, which makes the joints and muscles pain.

Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?

Yes, dogs can eat cucumbers.

This vegetable is packed full of vitamins for your canine friend. You may feed him the cucumbers with the skin on or off. However, if you are feeding it to him with the skin on, then you should slice the cucumbers thin enough to make digestion with the peel on easy.

As a note of caution, take the extra few minute to peel the skin off the cucumber before feeding it to your dog. The reason why this is recommended is because there have been cases, where dogs have eaten the cucumber skin and died of seizures the very next day.

This is probably due to the fact that the peel has such a large amount of pesticide and bacteria on it. Dogs cannot fight off the effects of these elements and so they end up either becoming extremely sick or dying.

Cucumbers work excellently as a dog training treat. As long as he enjoys it, keep using it as a training treat. But do also bear in mind that although it will not cause any weight gain in your dog, it may also not be good to use it excessively, so try to supplement it with other dog training treats to create a balance.

How Many Cucumbers Can Dogs Eat?

This is hard to say since every dog is different. Cucumbers are also not toxic to dogs or harmful in any way, however, it can still be toxic to some extent. Anything that you feed your dog no matter how good it is for him should be done in moderation.

Cucumbers should be given in small portions at a time, such as two to three slices at a time only. This can be given as a treat or included as part of your dog’s meal.

Use your discretion and feed your dog according to his size. Small dogs, for instance, have small stomachs and therefore can only eat a certain amount of food. No by overfeeding your dog, you can give him indigestion and an upset tummy. Aside from these side effects, too much cucumber could give your dog gas and diarrhea.

Also, bear in mind that only fresh cucumbers are good for your dog, so refrain from feeding him any other types, such as pickled cucumbers.  These cucumbers that are pickled contain unknown amounts of vinegar and salt, which is bad for your dog on any level.

Health Benefits of Cucumbers for Dogs

Feeding your dog food that helps to keep him happy and healthy should be every pet owner’s priority. This is why you need to include cucumbers in your dog’s diet as an essential treat or part of the diet.

Cucumbers contain essential vitamins and nutrients that all work together to improve your dog’s overall health. Here are some reasons to feed your dog cucumbers:

• Cucumbers help to prevent certain skin conditions in dogs such as Allergic Dermatitis, Impetigo, Yeast Infection, Folliculitis, Seborrhea, Alopecia, and Ringworm.
• Cucumbers enhance the immune systems of dogs and strengthen bones.
• Cucumbers have a high content of water. Just one cucumber has a high content of moisture and even eating a few slices of it can provide your dog with water. So if you have a dog that doesn’t enjoy drinking water and you feel like it’s a constant struggle getting him to hydrate himself, then try giving him a few slices of cucumber each day. It is more than enough to provide him with water. However, you still need to try and get him to drink actual water, so cucumbers are not be used as a substitute for water all the time.
• Cucumbers can help with your dog’s bad breath.
• It is also a cool summertime treat for your dog on those hot summer days.
• If you are struggling with a dog that is overweight, this could be your answer. One of the reasons why people have overweight dogs is because they feed their dog’s incorrect diets. You should also take into consideration the calorie content of the food that you feed to your dog. Giving him too many treats that are rich in calories can result in obesity. Cucumbers possibly contain the lowest amount of calories found in any vegetable. This is why you can give it to your dog without worrying about him gaining weight. So even though your dog doesn’t gain any weight from eating cucumbers, it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t need exercise. You should still follow the same exercise regime and activities that you normally have him do.
• It is true that one out of five dogs suffers from some form of joint pain and inflammation. Arthritis is especially common in dogs. Some breeds are more prone to getting it than others. The usual treatment for arthritis is taking your dog to the vet and then buying and administering medication. This can be costly. However, if you simply feed your dog cucumbers you can help alleviate his symptoms. Cucumbers contain the silica component that is helpful in relieving the pain and stiffness in joints. It basically helps to strengthen the connecting tissues.
• Cucumbers provide a certain hormone that the pancreas uses to produce insulin. This is helpful for dogs with diabetes.
• Cucumbers have been known to regulate metabolism and blood pressure.
• Aside from being rich in fiber, it is said that they skin contains phytochemicals
• Cucumbers are loaded with antioxidants which maintain the healthy functioning of the body. They lower the risk of infections and also fight certain types of cancer.
• This vegetable also contains sterols which reduce cholesterol levels in the body.
• Cucumbers promote the healthy functioning of the liver and kidney. So if your dog has a condition with the liver or kidney, feeding him a few slices of cucumber every day will help him. However, you should also consult your vet to make sure that other or actual medication is not needed as well.

My Dog Ate Too Much Cucumber – What Should I Do?

As with all types of food in your dog’s diet, moderation is the key. This is the case with cucumbers as well. Two to three slices are the recommended daily allowance. However, it should be given based on the size of your dog. If you are ever in doubt about how much to feed your dog, always choose to give less.

Since cucumbers contain both fiber and water, too much of this could lead to diarrhea in your dog. Your dog should also experience extra or more gas if he was overfed. You should stop the cucumbers immediately if he has diarrhea.

The best way to get rid of the diarrhea is to put him back on his normal diet. If however, diarrhea still continues after 24 hours, you should take him to your vet for further examination and medication.

Cucumbers can also cause stomach pain in dogs. Even though this is not a common symptom of overeating cucumbers, dogs with a sensitive stomach could be at risk. If you notice unusual behavior from your dog after he has eaten cucumbers, stop feeding him any more of them and contact your vet.

It’s hard not to over feed your dog since he most probably would pick up just about anything you place before him. However, this is because he doesn’t know any better. You, on the other hand, should use your discretion as a dog owner and only feed your dog the recommended amounts of not just cucumber but all other foods that are a part of his diet.

Can Dogs Eat Cucumber Skin – Is Cucumber Skin Good for Dogs?

Yes, dogs can, in fact, eat the skin of the cucumber. Like all fruit and vegetables, the skin actually contains most of the nutrients and vitamins. So you can feed the sin to your dog. However, you should feed him thin slices so he can digest the skin.

On the other hand, the cucumber should be washed properly and then sliced thinly since it may have traces of pesticide and bacteria. These things have been known to be fatal to dogs.

So to be on the safe side, simply remove the peel and then slide up the cucumber and feed it to your dog.  It is also advisable to remove the ski if feeding cucumbers to a puppy.

Can Dogs Eat Cucumber Seeds?

Unlike much other fruit and vegetable, where the seeds are toxic, with cucumbers, the seeds are not toxic in anyway dogs. So yes, your dog can eat cucumber seeds without you having to worry about him getting sick. The seeds are as good for him as the rest of the vegetable.

Are Dogs Allergic to Cucumbers?

Most dogs are not allergic to cucumbers. However, since dogs are all not the same, it is best to proceed with caution. It’s a smart move when feeding your dog cucumbers to first feed just one thin slice of it. You should then wait at least 24 hours, and within this time, watch his behavior. In the event that your dog isn’t showing signs of discomfort and pain, or if he isn’t experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, it’s safe to say that he is not allergic to cucumbers.

This should come as a relief since cucumbers are filled with so much goodness for them. You can continue to feed your dog cucumbers on a daily basis, provided you give him small portions as recommended.

Can Puppies Eat Cucumbers Safely?

Yes, puppies can eat cucumbers safely. They will actually enjoy the crunchy texture of it and the juiciness too. However, since your puppy is still a baby, you should feed him smaller portions and only feed it to him as a treat. Alternatively, if your puppy is still consuming milk, it’s not a great idea to feed him cucumbers. This is because the combination of milk and cucumbers gives your puppy an upset stomach. Aside from mixing milk and cucumbers, cucumbers on their own are full of goodness for your little puppy and will give him a head start on good health.

Puppies digestive systems are not yet fully developed and as such you need to carefully select what you feed him, however, cucumbers are among the safest foods for puppies. So rest assured that you are giving your dog a good treat when feeding him cucumbers.

How to prepare Cucumbers for Dogs?

• You should start off by thoroughly washing the cucumber. This is a vital and necessary step since so many fruits and vegetables are laced with pesticides these days.
• You should then proceed to peel the skin. It is always best to remove the skin and then feed the cucumbers to your dog, since you don’t want him getting tummy aches or worse, because of the chemicals on the peel.
• The only exception to this rule would be if you are absolutely sure that the cucumbers are organic.
• Then slice the cucumbers thinly
• It is now ready to serve

You can then feed your dog around two to three slices of the cucumbers.

How To Make Cucumber Parmesan Chicken Dog Treat Recipe

If your dog doesn’t take to the taste of cucumbers, but you still want him to get all the goodness out of cucumbers, create this chicken and parmesan dish and your dog will gobble it up.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of finely grated cucumber
• 1 tbsp. of parmesan cheese
• 1 pre-cooked and chopped chicken breast
• 1 cup flour
• 4 mint leaves

Directions:

1. Oven must be heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Use your hand to thoroughly mix all ingredients in a large bowl
3. Separate dough into 1 inch balls and flatten onto the baking sheet with a fork
4. Bake approximately 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown
5. Leave in fridge for a few minutes until cooled down
6. Serve!

Dogs and Cucumbers – The Final Verdict

So can dogs eat cucumbers? The answer is yes, dogs can eat cucumbers and it is actually a healthy treat for them. They need to eat cucumbers in moderation, though, like any other treat. Cucumbers are full of vitamins that help with the overall health of your dog. However, some of the most significant benefits of cucumbers are to dogs with joint problems as the silica contained in the cucumbers brings relief to the joints. Therefore, cucumbers can also help to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis.

They are also great for maintaining healthy kidneys and liver. It has high water content and is great for dogs that have a tendency to get dehydrated. Just a few slices will provide water. However, it is not a substitute for actual water as your dog still needs water in his diet.

It is best to remove the skin from the cucumber as it contains pesticides and so on. The only exception to this rule is if you know for sure that the cucumber is organic. In this case, the peel should still be washed thoroughly.

Over feeding of cucumbers can result in diarrhea, Vomiting and stomach pain. Feed your dog in moderation and he will reap the benefits.  Cucumbers are a great source of vitamins and minerals for your dog and should be included in his diet.

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