Can dog eat cucumber?

Author: John Stephens
Date Of Creation: 27 January 2021
Update Date: 20 November 2024
Anonim
Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers? All You Need to Know!
Video: Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers? All You Need to Know!

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You've certainly asked yourself more than once if your dog can eat cucumber or some other food, right? These are questions that many pet owners interested in dog nutrition tend to ask themselves, seeking to better understand their options when it comes to feeding their pets. pet.

In this PeritoAnimal article, we will focus on a specific vegetable, cucumber, and will can dog eat cucumber? In general, cucumbers are known for their low calorie and high water content, which helps us stay hydrated and refreshed. Does the same thing happen to dogs? If you are curious, read this article about the consumption of cucumbers for dogs, you will definitely be surprised!


Is dog cucumber good?

To understand if a dog can eat cucumber, before talking about the properties of cucumber itself, it is important to know if it is at least suitable for consumption by dogs. In this sense, nutritionists and competent official bodies in the area, such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), have already established that cucumber it's not a toxic food for dogs or for many other pets.

yes dog can eat cucumber

This means that, even if it had no beneficial properties, cucumber consumption for puppies étotally safe and it does not cause any nutritional alteration, in the digestive system or in any other vital organ. They warn, however, that the dog needs nutrition of animal origin, so it is not recommended that its diet is based solely and exclusively on the ingestion of fruits and vegetables. complement than the basis of your diet.


Benefits and properties of cucumber for dogs

As we already mentioned, cucumber is not harmful, a dog can eat cucumber, but is it beneficial? What effects does cucumber consumption have on health? You may be surprised to learn about the excellent properties that cucumbers have, not just for humans but for pets as well.

these vegetables mostly water, so one of their main advantages is that they are a good tool to ensure hydration in hot and dry seasons. But that's not all, cucumber has a very interesting nutritional composition from a mineral and vitamin point of view. Among the notable vitamins, and not the only ones, we find the vitamin K and the Vitamin C, vital for the maintenance of good immune defenses, oral, bone and blood health.


The presence of minerals such as the iron and magnesium, which prevent diseases such as anemia or joint disease. In addition, cucumber contains some substances called phytonutrients, which fulfill important functions. antioxidants and anti-inflammatory, and it is being studied how some elements that compose it can also fulfill preventive functions against various diseases.

how to give cucumber to dog

If you want to try giving your dog cucumber, you may need a few little "tips" to encourage him to try this food. Some dogs have an innate curiosity that drives them to consume everything we offer, while others, on the contrary, are quite reluctant and should be encouraged to do so.

A good recommendation for cucumber is cut it into pieces, which are better than slices, small in size, and start mix it with other foods that your pet is already used to, so the change isn't too abrupt.

An idea for a dog to eat cucumbers could be to mix the cucumber with fresh foods like cheese or lactose-free yogurt, because lactose is indigestible to them. You can also add the cucumber to a plate of rice or noodles, or to some pâté you usually give the dog. If he's playful, a good trick is present the cucumber as a toy so he can have fun while chewing and nibbling.

Prohibited food for dogs

Currently, there are many alternatives to dog food if you don't want to resort to commercial rations that are on the market. Some of these alternatives, such as the BARF diet or the homemade diets, must always be carried out with the necessary knowledge so that they are not dangerous and for this it is essential consult a veterinarian.

Despite the fact that dogs can eat cucumbers, one of the basics is knowing which fruits and vegetables are prohibited for dogs, whether in large or small quantities. In that sense, there are certain fruits and vegetables that can't be offered to dogs, and some examples are, tomatoes and mushrooms, as they cause severe digestive problems and gastric discomfort. Garlic too, because it has in its composition a substance called thiosulfate, which causes heart and respiratory disorders, such as tachycardia or hyperventilation. Onions, chives and leeks they should also not be part of any dog's diet, because like garlic, they have thiosulfate, which in addition to the above also causes blood disorders, such as anemia in dogs, which in severe cases can be fatal.

As for the fruits, some of them, like the grapes and raisinsGooseberries, blackcurrants and avocados are harmful, as they all have compounds that affect the health of dogs in various ways. On the other hand, some fruits, such as apples and cherries, are not bad for them, as long as you are cautious and careful when offering them, as the pits and seeds can cause serious problems.

human foods that dogs can eat

As we've seen, there are some toxic dog foods. However, there are many others that, in addition to being harmless, such as cucumber, have a series of very interesting benefits for your dog's health. This is the case with certain fruits and vegetables that are healthy for dogs.

Dog can eat cucumber and these other foods.

Some of these foods are as follows:

  • vegetables: broccoli, because it has a lot of vitamin C, carrots, also rich in vitamin C, or beans, thanks to their large amount of phosphorus and magnesium.
  • fruit: like apples, peaches or mangoes, but always remembering to remove the stone. Bananas provide, in small amounts, many vitamins such as vitamin E, C and B, as well as vital minerals such as potassium and zinc.
  • Meat and fish: This may be more popular, but your dog can eat meat such as chicken, pork or beef, and oily or white fish, always being careful for the presence of bones and spines that can get stuck or cause gastric or esophageal perforations.
  • Cereals: such as wheat, rice or oats. That's why they can also eat breads or pastas that use these grains in their preparation. Egg consumption is also allowed.

Dog cucumber with or without shell?

We know that cucumber is good to keep puppies hydrated and to cool them on hotter days, something that helps their health, preventing diseases like the terrible heat shock or heat stroke, which if not detected in time, they can have. deadly consequences.

Can a dog eat cucumbers in their skin?

But can cucumber consumption also include its skin? This is a good question that may arise when preparing this vegetable for your dog to try. No doubt this basically depends on the preferences, because although the cucumber skin is easily digestible by dogs and represent an excellent source of fiber, if your pet rejects this part, there is no problem, because the pulp also has many properties.

If you want your dog to consume the whole cucumber and he only wants to eat the inside or reject the cucumber if it is not peeled, you can introduce the skin when the dog is used to consuming the peeled cucumber, gradually mixing pieces with and without husk or even mixing with other foods.

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