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Are cucumbers safe for dogs to eat? Yes, they are. In fact, they can make an excellent low-calorie treat for your pet. If you want an alternative to standard dog treats, especially if your dog could stand to lose a little weight, add cucumbers to your next shopping list.
If you’ve ever wanted to improve your own nutrition, then you already know that cucumbers are pretty healthy. An 11-ounce raw, unpeeled cucumber contains just 45 calories. If you cut an average cucumber into 15 slices, each slice will contain just three calories. That’s far fewer calories than most commercial dog treats on the market.
What cucumbers do have plenty of are important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, including:
Sounds good, right? But what specific benefits do cucumbers offer your dog? Let’s take a look.
Cucumbers are crunchy and refreshing. Many dogs enjoy their subtle flavor and will delight in munching on them as a treat.
Does your dog need to lose a little weight? Swap out some of their commercial treats with cucumber slices or wedges. It’s a good way to lower their caloric intake while rewarding them for good behavior.
Treats are an excellent training tool because they can help incentivize dogs to learn new behaviors. Giving out treats as you work to instill the lessons in your dog, however, means calories can add up fast. Swapping out some of their traditional training treats with small pieces of cucumber can help reduce the caloric intake.
It’s easy for your dog to get dehydrated playing in the sun or while out on a long walk or hike with you. While it’s important to always carry water for your dog, cucumber snacks offer an extra dose of hydration that usually can’t be found in traditional treats. Since cucumbers are 96% water, it’s hard to beat their hydrating benefits.
Cucumbers contain fiber, which can bulk up stools and help your dog pass them more easily. If your dog is having bathroom or tummy issues, ask your vet if adding extra fiber might be helpful or if the severity warrants a vet appointment.
Can dogs eat cucumber skin? Yes. Most cucumber fiber is in the skin, so leave your vegetable peeler in the drawer.
Lastly, cucumbers are easy on the budget. Their cost is low and they can be found in nearly every grocery store.
Make sure your cucumbers are fresh. They usually last about a week when uncut and refrigerated. Cucumbers that are going bad will feel squishy. Since they contain so much water, they are also at risk for mold growth. Wait as long as possible before slicing and dicing your cucumbers. Once sliced, cucumbers go bad in a day or two. If cucumber slices are slimy or look milky, they’ve gone bad and need to be tossed.
Big cucumber slices or wedges are perfect for larger dogs, like German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers, but make sure you cut the cucumber into smaller pieces for smaller dogs. Always err on the side of caution. Smaller dogs may have trouble eating larger cucumber pieces and may even be at risk of choking.
» MORE: Learn about fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat.
Eating too much of any one thing can cause health issues for your dog, and cucumbers are no exception. Here are a few important things to consider regarding dogs and cucumbers.
As with any new food you introduce to your dog, start by giving them a small portion. See how they react to their cucumber slices and keep an eye out for any problems. If you don’t notice any issues, feed your dog a little more until you feel confident your dog can handle it.
Remember that moderation is key. Even though cucumbers don’t contain many calories, you still don’t want to feed them to your dog willy-nilly. A good rule of thumb is that snacks and treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet. Keep in mind that small treats can go a long way with smaller dogs.
Just because cucumbers are safe for dogs, however, doesn’t mean all other fruits and vegetables are as well. Be sure to do your homework before feeding your dog any new fruits or vegetables. One great resource to look at are our other articles in this nutrition series:
Petco’s ACE team is a passionate group of experienced pet care experts dedicated to supporting the overall health & wellness of pets. The ACE team works to develop animal care operations and standards across the organization and promote proper animal care and education for Pet Care Center partners and pet parents, while also ensuring regulatory compliance.
