When dogs eat cucumber off the table where you’re preparing a salad, it may worry you as a pet owner, but there is no danger to your dog if they eat this common vegetable; in fact, it can actually be beneficial for their diet.
Can Dogs Eat Cucumber?
While there are some fruits and vegetables that you should avoid giving to your dog, cucumbers are not one of them. It is perfectly safe for your canine companion to eat cucumber from time to time, in moderation. Cucumbers are very low in calories and have a high content of water, as well as other beneficial nutrients and vitamins that can give your pooch a healthy boost. However, whenever you give your dog human food, it is important to remember that all of their nutritional needs should already be taken care of in their normal food. In other words, giving your pup cucumber should be an occasional treat, not a meal replacement or consistent supplement. [1]
Some dog owners prefer to peel the cucumbers, to avoid having their dog eat the waxy outer skin, but if your dog doesn’t seem to react badly to it, there isn’t anything to worry about. With a high content of vitamin C, vitamin A, water, silica, potassium, and magnesium, as well as dietary fiber, this refreshing treat is a great option for your dog.
Can dogs eat cucumber? Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Benefits of Cucumbers for Dogs
The main benefits of cucumbers for dogs include its ability to boost bone strength, manage obesity, detoxify their system, and relieve arthritis, among others.
Bone Strength
With trace amounts of various minerals, as well as silica, cucumbers can help keep your dog strong; your pet is just as susceptible to osteoporosis and bone degradation as you, so the occasional mineral boost is a good idea. [2]
Obesity
Given that cucumbers are low in calories, but high in water content and fiber, this vegetable can help your pooch feel full, thus preventing begging for other, less healthy snacks, or eating all of their food at once, thus helping to prevent obesity. [3]
Inflammation
Dogs suffer from various inflammatory diseases as they age, but regular supplementation with antioxidant- and vitamin-rich foods like cucumbers can help reduce pain, ease stress levels and improve the strength of the immune system to prevent unnecessary reactions. [4]
How to Feed Your Dog Cucumber?
If you want to add cucumber to your pup’s weekly diet, be sure to do so in moderation. A good rule to follow is that your dog shouldn’t get more than 10% of its diet from human foods. You should also vary the foods you share with your canine companions, so don’t give them cucumber as a treat more than 2-3 times per week.
When you first give your dog a new food like a cucumber, give only a small amount and monitor for any negative reactions. If you give your dog too much cucumber, some of the most common side effects are diarrhea, loose stool or vomiting.
