Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?

Yes, dogs can eat cucumbers! They are healthy, crunchy, hydrating, easy to digest, and so refreshing. Cucumbers are one of the best veggies you can give to your dog, and they can be a great training treat, bowl topper, and teeth cleaner.

whole cucumbers and cut in half and a dog

Table Of Contents

Can dogs eat cucumber skin?
Are cucumbers good for dogs?
- Cucumbers are low in nutrients, but they’re still healthy
Can dogs eat pickles?
FAQs

Dogs adore cucumbers, and I can understand why. They are crunchy, great for teething puppies, amazing in summertime, and easy on the stomach. Along with watermelon, cucumbers are my favorite summer treat, but I eat them year-round—with yogurt, plain with salt, or with tomatoes and cheese. I use them to make tzatziki, and of course, I tried the viral TikTok cucumber salad with soy sauce, but I don’t share all of these with my dog! Only plain, unsalted cucumbers are safe for dogs. Everything else can disturb their digestion.

Can dogs eat cucumber skin?

There are several types of cucumbers in my favorite supermarket. I usually try to buy local ones, but English cucumbers, along with baby cucumbers, are also very popular here. All of these are safe to eat with the skin. So yes, dogs can eat cucumber skin, but unless I find my favorite local supplier, I usually peel off the skin.

The main reason is that no matter how much I wash them, I’m always worried about pesticides. If you are too, then peel the skin before sharing cucumbers with your dog.

If you trust your farmer or your supermarket, feel free to give your dog cucumbers with the skin, as it’s safe for them. Cucumber skin can be a bit harder to digest than the actual cucumber, but not by much. Usually, the skin has more fiber, but in this case, everything is safe.

Are cucumbers good for dogs?

Cucumbers are perfect for dogs! Not only are they a fun snack, but they’re also great for your dog’s dental health. Cucumbers are excellent for teeth, gums, and fresh breath. If you have a teething puppy, cucumbers can be a fantastic thing for them to chew on.

Cucumbers are hydrating and refreshing, which can be very helpful during warmer months. Some dogs like to “eat their water” (and I do, too!), so raw or frozen cucumbers make an excellent summer treat.

They’re also great for volume eaters—if your dog needs to lose weight, low-calorie vegetables like cucumbers are worth considering. Cucumbers are full of water and fiber, which can help keep your dog feeling full for a long time. Pair them with some cooked chicken or turkey for a lean, satisfying meal.

Cucumbers are low in nutrients, but they’re still healthy

I know many of you like to read about vitamins and minerals in fruits and veggies, but most vegetables won’t be superfoods that drastically boost your dog’s health (a balanced diet will, though!). Cucumbers contain small amounts of vitamins like K and C, and trace minerals like magnesium and potassium.

Can dogs eat pickles?

No, dogs should not eat pickles. Pickle juice is made with lots of salt, vinegar, and sometimes sugar. While none of these ingredients are toxic, they are not good for your dog’s stomach.

Pickles are not toxic to dogs, but sodium is bad for them

The main issue is the salt. Dogs are highly sensitive to salt, and eating too much sodium can lead to dehydration, increased thirst, and even sodium ion poisoning in severe cases. A single pickle contains far more salt than a dog needs, even as an occasional treat.

How much sodium do dogs need per day?

Sodium is absolutely essential for dogs, but they don’t need much of it in their diet to stay healthy. According to research, a dog’s minimum dietary requirement for sodium is 5 mg per kilogram of body weight per day.

However, the National Research Council (NRC) suggests a higher daily intake of 13.3 mg per kilogram of body weight to account for factors that may reduce sodium absorption.

To put this into perspective, if your dog weighs 10 kilograms (22 pounds), their sodium needs would look like this:

Minimum sodium intake: 50 mg/day.

Recommended sodium intake (with safety margin): 133 mg/day.

And here’s the catch – your dog will get this much sodium from their dry dog food! They don’t need any extra sodium in their diet! They don’t need extra sodium in their life!

If I haven’t stressed this enough, let me remind you: too much sodium can lead to increased thirst, dehydration, and, in the long run, serious health problems.

How much sodium is in one pickle compared to a dog’s daily needs?

Now, back to pickles. One pickle can contain anywhere from 300 to 1,200 mg of sodium, depending on the type, size, and brand.

Even at the lower end of the scale, a single pickle with 300 mg of sodium contains more than double the recommended daily sodium intake for a 10 kg dog. At the higher end, a pickle with 1,200 mg of sodium is nearly 9 times the recommended amount. This is why dogs can’t eat pickles!

Pickles have vinegar, and acidic foods are not good for dogs

While vinegar isn’t toxic to dogs, it is highly acidic and can irritate their stomach lining. Dogs with sensitive stomachs are particularly at risk of developing an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea after eating acidic foods like pickles.

I’ve previously written about fermented foods like sauerkraut, warning dog owners not to get caught up in trends about gut microbiomes and beneficial bacteria when it comes to their pets. Pickled foods, including pickles, are not a safe way to improve your dog’s gut health. If you’re concerned about your dog’s gut health, call your vet.

What if my dog eats a pickle?

If your dog happens to steal a pickle off your plate, don’t panic—pickles are not toxic. The occasional bite or even a whole pickle won’t harm them, even with the high sodium content. Some pickles may contain small amounts of onion or garlic, but the concentration of these ingredients in a jar of pickles is far too low to be toxic.

Similarly, if your dog gets hold of dill pickle chips, a pickle from your burger, or even some pickle juice, they’ll likely be fine. Just make sure to give them plenty of water, take them out for a walk so they can pee, and prepare something nice for their next meal. Cooked pumpkin, sweet potatoes, or fresh cucumber are all great options to settle their stomach and rehydrate them.

So while cucumbers are safe for dogs, including the peel and seeds, pickles are not recommended! Cucumbers are a healthy vegetable just like carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers! They are one of the best veggies for dogs.

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Can dogs eat fried pickles?

No, dogs should not eat fried pickles. Fried pickles are greasy and full of unnecessary fats. Fat in combination with pickles (salt and vinegar) will cause such a mess to your dog’s stomach. Please don’t give your dog fried pickles, and make sure they don’t eat them by accident. If they end up eating some, again, don’t worry, as fried pickles are not toxic, they are just unhealthy.

Can dogs eat bread and butter pickles?

No, dogs can’t eat bread and butter pickles. These pickles are sweetened with sugar, and they’re still pickles, which means they’re full of salt and vinegar—both of which are hard on a dog’s stomach. If your dog steals some, don’t worry—bread and butter pickles are not toxic to dogs.

Can dogs eat Persian cucumbers?

Yes, Persian cucumbers are perfectly safe for dogs! They’re just a smaller, slightly sweeter version of regular cucumbers and they more or less have the same nutritional value.