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Are pickles OK for dogs? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. While most pickles in small amounts are not toxic to dogs, there are some exceptions. And if you’re considering offering your dog a pickle as a treat, remember that you should always consult your veterinarian before introducing any new food into your pet’s diet. Also note that snacks and treats should make up no more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily calories.
For people, pickles have several potential health benefits. They are high in vitamin K, which helps blood clot. They also contain nutrients such as potassium and calcium.
Are pickles good for dogs in the same way? Not exactly. Your dog gets those vitamins and minerals from their nutritionally complete and balanced dog food.
Dogs and pickles don’t exactly go together like peanut butter and jelly. Pickles are a crunchy, tasty treat that are low in calories and contain some vitamins and minerals that may provide dogs with some health benefits. However, most vets agree that when it comes to pickles as a snack, any potential health benefits are far outweighed by the risks.
Can dogs have pickles? Pickles are, in general, just cucumbers that have been preserved in a saltwater brine with vinegar and spices. Can dogs have cucumbers? While cucumbers are safe for dogs to consume, most pickles are extremely high in sodium, and some pickles contain ingredients that can be harmful to your pup, from the onions, garlic and chili powder in hot-and-spicy pickles to the sugar and other spices in sweet bread-and-butter pickles.
The primary concern about feeding your dog pickles is their high sodium content. Since pickles are cucumbers soaked in saltwater brine and vinegar, they contain a lot of salt. While the human body has adapted to handle the high salt content in pickles, dogs may experience health issues from ingesting so much salt.
If your dog ate a regular, unflavored pickle, be sure to provide them with plenty of water and closely monitor them for stomach upsets. Salt toxicity typically occurs in dogs who aren’t provided enough water after consuming a lot of salt. If the pickle was flavored or soaked in the ingredients above, immediately consult your veterinarian or pet poison control.
No, dogs should never drink pickle juice. The juice, or brine, contains the majority of ingredients that are harmful to your pet. While a pickled cucumber has questionable nutrition for dogs, pickle juice simply contains unhealthy levels of salt and possibly lethal ingredients for your pup.
» MORE: Learn about fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat.
Why exactly is salt bad for your dog in large quantities? After all, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) that regulates the sale and distribution of pet food says that a healthy dog diet should contain some sodium. They recommend that .3 percent of a dog’s daily diet be comprised of salt for proper body maintenance, growth and development. Regardless, too much salt has the potential to cause significant health problems for your dog. More than 100 mg of dietary sodium per day is troublesome for most dogs. For small dogs and those with underlying illness, even small amounts of salt could be harmful.
Salt can draw water into your dog’s stomach, causing it to bloat. Large amounts of it can also throw off its balance with the body’s other electrolytes and lead to dehydration. After ingesting high levels of sodium, some pets may experience salt poisoning manifested by weakness, muscle tremors and seizures. If your dog eats a single pickle, it’s unlikely to be lethal. Regardless, you should contact your veterinarian and monitor your pet for symptoms of illness any time you suspect your dog has consumed a lot of salt at once.
Dogs who get into a plate of pickles or other high-salt foods may display:
If your dog develops high blood pressure or heart problems over time, a high-salt diet could be making these conditions worse. Your vet will recommend a proper diet for your dog if they have either of these problems. Also, dogs with kidney disease often have difficulty staying hydrated due to their impaired kidney function and may be particularly at risk of feeling negative effects of high salt intake.
Beyond the salt and vinegar found in pickles, some of the spices that are used to make pickles may be very toxic for your pets. For instance, many pickle-making recipes call for garlic powder, which can damage your dog’s red blood cells and lead to anemia.
Pickles may also contain onion powder. Like garlic, large amounts of onion may lead to anemia if a dog consumes them. Pickles are often soaked in red chili flakes or other spices that bring the heat. All of that spiciness can be irritating to a dog’s gastrointestinal tract and cause vomiting or diarrhea. If you do want to give your dog a small nibble of pickle, stick to a mild one without added spices.
Are pickles safe for dogs? One of the reasons this question doesn’t have a straightforward answer is that small amounts of the harmful ingredients found in pickles are unlikely to cause catastrophic illness if your dog consumes them. But that doesn’t mean you should feed your dog a pickle every day or offer them a large number of pickles all at one time. If you give your dog a bite of your pickle, make it just one bite. Offering your pet more than that could lead to health issues. And if your dog knocks over a jar of pickles and goes to town, consult your veterinarian, particularly if they show any signs of illness.
Even though your dog should skip the pickles, there are other fun treats you can mix into your pet’s life. A good rule of thumb is to keep your pet’s treat intake to no more than10 percent of their total daily calorie consumption. This includes limiting jerky and other treats made for dogs. As for people food, cucumbers are a great, safe alternative to pickles as a treat for your dog. They are crunchy, low in calories and may help satisfy your pet’s desire for you to share your meal with them.
Other good treat alternatives to pickles include small amounts of:
A bite or two of a pickle is unlikely to cause immediate, serious harm to your dog, but their nutritional value is far outweighed by their potential to cause health problems due to their high salt content. If you’re looking for a savory treat for your dog, stick to something with a lower salt level that is designed for canines. As always, check with your veterinarian before introducing any new food into your dog’s diet.
Take a look at other articles in this series, including:
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.
