You probably see that dogs are always keen to grab human foods out of the dining table but do you know, not all human foods are good for your beloved canine buddy. Their digestive tract is much different than ours and can cause stomach obstruction that can be fatal. Then, can you give your dog a cucumber? 

Cucumber is one of the human foods suitable for dogs to eat. Cucumbers are crispy and sweet, and most dogs like them a lot. Feeding cucumbers in summer is the best snack a dog can have. It can help to cool off the heat by giving them enough hydration. It is an ideal dog snack. 

Is Cucumber Safe For Dogs?

Yes, you can feed dog cucumbers. It contains 96% water and is rich in Vitamins K, C, B1, B5, and B6, molybdenum, potassium, manganese, copper, and other mineral substances. Cucumbers also contain small amounts of calcium, iron, and zinc and are a good source of fiber. Cucumber doesn’t contain elements harmful to the dogs’ body and, it has a crisp taste. Cucumber is low-calorie, low-fat, low-sugar, and low-sodium health food.

Benefits of Cucumber to Dogs:-

The presence of Vitamin K and Calcium in cucumber is beneficial to improve joint health and promote bone growth in dogs. Eating pumpkin cucumber helps to stimulate insulin release and reduce blood sugar levels. 

The fiber and potassium in cucumber also help in improving the heart condition. It also has anti-inflammatory effects on the digestive system of dogs. In addition to providing regular nutrition, cucumbers can also improve a dog’s bad breath.

Cucumber has phytochemicals and phytonutrients that help to freshen up the breath by killing the odor-producing bacteria of the mouth. However, it can only be regarded as a small snack to alleviate the dog’s bad breath problem, and it is still not a substitute for toothpaste. Regardless of whether the dog eats cucumbers or not, the pet owner still has to remember to brush his teeth regularly.

Precautions:

  • Give a sip of cucumber first. Every dog’s immune system may be different, and we cannot be sure whether our dog will be allergic to cucumbers. Therefore, when feeding cucumbers to the dog for the first time, it’s best to cut a small piece for the dog to try to check whether the dog has allergic symptoms. If everything is normal, increase the dose next time. 
  • Peel out the cucumber and chop it into small pieces. Although like most fruits and vegetables, cucumber skin has most of the vitamins and nutrients. Cucumber skin is quite difficult to digest by dogs. However, there may be residues of insecticides and pesticides on cucumber skins, which are also very dangerous for dogs. Therefore, it’s better to peel them off. Cut the cucumber into thin slices to prevent the dog from choking. 
  • Don’t feed your dog cucumber pickle. It is not good for the dog’s body except to taste better. The cucumber pickle contains a lot of spices and salt, and dogs are prone to skin problems after eating them. 
  • Cucumber is rich in nutrients, but it can only serve as a snack to them. Ideally, snacks should only be 10% of the dog’s daily diet. So, you feed them cucumbers according to the size and age of your dog. Dogs with poor gastrointestinal systems can lead to stomach discomfort if feed in large quantities.