Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?
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If you love salads or grow cucumbers in your garden you may have wondered if you can share these fruits with your dog. (Yes, cucumbers are fruits, not vegetables.)
Can dogs eat cucumbers? While some vegetables do pose risks to dogs, cucumbers are not one of them. Yes, you can give your dog cucumber! In moderation, of course.
Find out about the benefits of cucumbers and how much your dog can safely eat in our short guide.
Cucumbers Nutrition Stats
Cucumbers with the peel have just slightly more calories than without the peel but they have more nutrients. One serving for a human is estimated to be one-half cup of sliced cucumber (52 grams).
Notable daily values are indicated.
- 7.8 calories
- 0.3 grams protein (1% daily value)
- 0.1 grams fat
- 0.0 grams saturated fat
- 1.9 grams carbohydrates (1% daily value)
- 0.3 grams dietary fiber (1% daily value)
- Vitamin K 8.5 mcg (11% daily value)
- Vitamin C 1.5 mg (2% daily value)
- Magnesium 6.8 mg (2% daily value)
- Potassium 76.4 mg (2% daily value)
- Manganese 0.0 mg (2% daily value)
As you can see, cucumbers are extremely low in calories. An entire 11-ounce (300 grams) cucumber only has about 45 calories.
Cucumbers Nutritional Facts At A Glance
Cucumbers contain no saturated fat and no cholesterol. They are a good source of vitamin K, potassium, and provide some vitamin C. They also provide some vitamin A, pantothenic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese.
In terms of percentages, cucumbers contain 83 percent carbohydrates, 6 percent fats, and 11 percent protein. Though they are low in calories, most of the calories they contain come from sugars.
Cucumbers are very high in water content. They are almost 96 percent water. This makes them good for helping you stay hydrated. They are also a good snack if you’re trying to lose weight since the water can help you feel full and they are are low in calories.
The cucumber peel adds additional fiber, along with more nutrients.
Cucumbers contain antioxidants such as flavonoids and tannins that may help reduce chronic diseases.
Cucumbers are also thought to help reduce blood sugar levels so they could help be helpful to people with diabetes.
The fiber and water content in cucumbers is also thought to possibly help with regular bowel movements. Cucumbers also contain pectin, a kind of soluble fiber which may promote more frequent bowel movements. Pectin also helps feed beneficial gut bacteria.
Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?
Yes, dogs can eat cucumbers. They are low in calories, sodium, and fat, unlike some popular commercial dog treats.
The vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in cucumbers can be very beneficial for your dog.
As with any treat or snack, you should use good judgment in giving cucumbers to your dog. Giving your dog too much cucumber, especially when he’s not used to them, could lead to an upset stomach. And, cucumber should be sliced into small pieces to reduce any risk of choking.
Are Cucumbers Good for Dogs?
Yes, cucumbers can be good for dogs. Many of the same health benefits that make cucumbers a good choice for humans also make them a good treat for dogs.
Cucumbers are a good source of some vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants. They provide good hydration for the body. They can help reduce blood sugar levels. They have fiber to encourage regular bowel movements. And, they are low in calories. They can be a healthy treat for your dog.
How Many Cucumbers Can Dogs Eat?
The amount of cucumbers your dog can (or should) eat will largely depend on his size. In general you should keep in mind that dogs shouldn’t eat more than 10 percent of their food in snacks per day.
So, if your dog needs 800 calories per day, no more than 80 calories should be from treats and snacks. That would be roughly two whole cucumbers – much more than most dogs could eat without having stomach problems!
We suggest that if you have a large dog you could give him one-half (½) cup of cucumber slices, at least at first, to see how he does with them. If he likes them and doesn’t have any gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea, gas, etc.), you could gradually let him have a little more.
If you have a small dog, try one-quarter (¼) cup of sliced cucumber and see how your dog does with them.
How Often Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?
Once your dog is introduced to cucumbers and you are sure that he isn’t having digestive problems with them, you could let him have a few slices every day.
Obviously, you shouldn’t allow your dog to gorge himself on cucumbers at any time. There are situations where a dog will get into a vegetable garden and eat as many cucumbers as he can find.
If this happens, keep an eye on him. If he shows signs of distress, take him to the veterinarian right away. Cucumbers don’t contain anything toxic but he could produce a lot of intestinal gas which could lead to bloating.
The Correct Diet Is Important
Dogs need to eat the correct diet for good health. All dogs need good quality protein and fat appropriate for their age, lifestyle, and health condition in order to thrive.
Most healthy dogs need the following things in their diet:
Good Sources of Protein
Meat, fish, poultry, and eggs are all good sources of animal protein. Animal protein is generally easier for dogs to digest. The more precisely the protein is identified on the label, the better.
Good Sources of Fat
Fat provides essential fatty acids (EFA) and helps distribute the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K so they can be easily absorbed by your dog’s body.
Named Ingredients
Named ingredients are usually better than generic ingredients. The more specific, the better, so you know what your dog is eating.
Low to Moderate Carbohydrates
Most experts recommend diets that contain low to moderate amounts of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are not “bad” for dogs but they should not be used as a substitute for protein. Many carbs do double duty as dietary fiber and probiotics.
Avoid Artificial Preservatives, Colors, and Sweeteners
Artificial preservatives and colors/dyes have been linked to some health problems in humans and animals. You should try to avoid these ingredients in dog foods.
AAFCO
AAFCO is the Association of American Feed Control Officials. AAFCO sets voluntary standards for pet food labeling. Look for foods that have these minimum standards.
Fresh Water
All dogs need easy access to fresh water unless they are ill or have some other reason to be temporarily kept away from water. For example, if you are house training your puppy, you can safely put away water overnight.
If your dog has health problems of any kind, please see a veterinarian for dietary advice. Ordinary diets may need to be adjusted.
What Are Other Healthy Alternatives to Cucumbers In A Dog’s Diet?
Cucumbers can be an option as an occasional treat for your dog but there are many other healthy foods you can give your dog in small amounts. You should consider these human foods as treats.
Check with your veterinarian if your dog has any health issues and you are concerned about giving any of these foods.
- Apples
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Bell pepper
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Green beans
- Mangos
- Oranges
- Parsnip
- Pears
- Pineapple
- Pumpkin
- Strawberries
- Summer squash
- Sweet potato
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Zucchini
How Do You Give Your Dog Cucumbers?
Many people give their dog cucumber slices by hand. You can also put cucumber slices in a bowl for your dog.
If you want to make your dog’s meals more appealing, you can place cucumbers on top of his regular dog food or mix them in with the food.
Conclusion
Cucumbers are a healthy food for dogs and can be given as a treat. As always, it’s important to make the pieces small to avoid any choking risk.
Cucumbers are low in calories so your dog could eat a lot of them without gaining weight but it’s best to give them in moderation to avoid any stomach upset.
