Orlovia
Fruits and vegetables are just as healthy for dogs as they are for humans. However, this does not apply to all varieties in the same way – some are not as digestible for dogs as for humans or are even toxic due to special ingredients. You should therefore inform yourself beforehand, e.g. B. whether dogs are allowed to eat cucumbers.
The Most Important Things Summarized
- Basically, cucumbers are very easily digestible for dogs and an ideal low-calorie snack for in between.
- Especially cucumbers from your own garden can contain bitter substances that are toxic to dogs. So always try cucumbers before feeding them to your dog.
- Unlike cucumbers, you should be careful when feeding pickled cucumbers. Although these are basically harmless, they contain some spices such as garlic or mustard seeds, which can harm your dog in large quantities.
Cucumbers are Healthy
Cucumbers contain a number of healthy nutrients and antioxidants that are good for your dog’s health. Antioxidants help keep your dog young and can prevent chronic diseases. The ingredient fisetin is characterized by its anti-inflammatory properties.
Enzymes stimulate digestion and cleanse the gastrointestinal tract, so cucumber is also suitable as part of a light diet. Cucumbers also contain numerous minerals and vitamins:
- potassium
- calcium
- magnesium
- iron
- folic acid
- Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, niacin, C, E, K
The high water content of 95 to 97 percent makes cucumber an ideal summer snack. Even four-legged friends who drink too little can snack on cucumbers in between.
As a Snack – Not Just for the Summer
Some dogs are very fond of cucumbers, so you can use small pieces as a substitute for treats, e.g. B. practicing new tricks. This has the direct advantage that your dog does not gain weight.
To add some variety to the menu, you can also dry cucumbers in the oven yourself and then feed them to your dog as chips.
There is a special dog ice cream for the summer. To do this, simply puree the cucumber with some yogurt and freeze the mixture – e.g. B. in a Kong—a.
Beware of Cucurbitacins
Cucurbitacins are bitter substances that are not only not very tasty but are simply poisonous. This only applies to humans in higher concentrations, in dogs even smaller amounts are sufficient before symptoms of poisoning appear.
The risk of acquiring such a cucumber in the supermarket is relatively small. When growing in your own garden, there is a higher risk that the cucurbitacins will develop due to incorrect fertilization or develop again due to pollination.
While a human perceives the bitter substances immediately and will not eat the cucumber, there are dogs that will eat these cucumbers anyway. Especially if the cucumber has been mixed in with the feed, there is a high risk that the bitter substances will go unnoticed.
Therefore, taste each cucumber before you feed it to your animal. This also applies to other pumpkin plants such as pumpkin or zucchini.
If your dog accidentally ate a cucumber that contains bitter substances, watch out for symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but also states of shock. Since consumption can be fatal in the worst case, you should consult a veterinarian immediately.
How Many Cucumbers Can a Dog Eat?
Since cucumber is basically healthy and has hardly any calories, there is no maximum amount that you should consider. However, it is advisable to slowly introduce the dog’s stomach to the new vegetables and start with small, peeled pieces. You can also leave the peel on the cucumber later, as this is where most of the nutrients are found.
In principle, too large a quantity is harmless, but in the worst case, it can cause digestive problems and diarrhea.
Can a Dog Eat Pickles?
Pickled cucumbers are laced with vinegar and lots of spices. Accordingly, you should refrain from feeding your dog pickles, but rather use fresh ones. However, smaller amounts are basically not harmful to your animal.