Cucumber is widely known all around the world to be highly nutritious and healthy for humans. It’s a vine plant that bears cylindrical fruits. Cucumber is safe for humans to consume. But can the same thing be said for our canines? Can dogs eat cucumber skin or cucumber seeds?
Cucumber is not toxic in any way for dogs. Both the seeds and skin are pretty beneficial to canines. However, you should exercise a bit of caution when it comes to feeding cucumbers. Its high water and fiber content can upset dogs’ bellies if they consume a lot of cucumbers.
One of the reasons you should feed cucumbers to your dog is that it helps control the weight of your canine. We encourage you to keep reading this article to learn more about the various benefits of cucumber.
Before discussing the benefits of cucumbers, let’s discuss if dogs can eat unpeeled cucumbers.
Can Dogs Eat Unpeeled Cucumbers?
Yes, that’s right! Unpeeled cucumber is perfectly safe for your dog, and it offers an alternative to regular dog treats. Wash the cucumbers well before offering your dog.
On the upside, giving your dog too many cucumbers would not cause serious medical issues except some mild belly upsets.
Cucumbers contain about eight calories per one-half cup of slices, which makes them suitable for your canine.
It is a good idea to always slice cucumbers into smaller pieces before offering your dog. This would reduce the risk of choking while your dog is munching on it.
How Many Cucumbers Can Dogs Eat?
Feed your canine with one or two cucumbers per day. You are not advised to feed a whole cucumber at once to your dog. Break it into smaller pieces.
Obey the 10% rule to determine how much cucumber to feed your canine. Vets recommend that treats such as cucumbers should only make up your dog’s daily diet.
Obeying that rule also means that the size and breed of your dog would determine the number of cucumbers you give. For instance, the number of cucumbers you give a Golden Retriever would definitely be more than that of a Shih Tzu.
Can Cucumbers Cause Diarrhea In Dogs?
Yes. The high water content in cucumbers can trigger a bout of diarrhea and gas in your dog. Diarrhea is more likely to happen if your canine consumes a lot of cucumbers.
Furthermore, if your dog ate a lot of cucumbers, it will likely come down with a bellyache, especially if it has a sensitive stomach.
If you are giving your dog cucumbers for the first time, start with small slices and gradually increase the number of cucumber slices if there’s no adverse reaction.
The adverse reactions to watch out for include excessive itching, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Speak to your vet before offering any new food to your canine.
Are Cucumber Seeds Digestible?
Cucumber seeds are soft and easy to digest by your canine. The seeds are loaded with water. The seeds are just as healthy as the rest of the cucumber.
Although cucumber seeds are relatively easy to digest, you should resist the temptation of giving too much to your four-legged furry friend.
Excess cucumber seeds in your dog’s tummy can trigger a wide array of stomach issues for your canine.
Do Cucumbers Upset A Dog’s Stomach?
Cucumbers would upset your dog’s stomach if taken in large quantities. If taken in the right amount, cucumbers are safe for your canine.
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, do your canine some favors by removing all the seeds before feeding it.
If your canine is the type that loves to wolf down on foods, cut the veggies into small pieces to prevent choking incidents for your dog.
To make cucumbers more enjoyable for your dog, cut the cucumbers into round shapes and get rid of the soft seedy center.
Then stuff the round cucumber slices with peanut butter or cream cheese. Do all these things in moderation to prevent tummy upset.
Do Cucumbers Count As A Vegetable?
In botanical terms, cucumber is not considered a vegetable because it contains seeds in the middle and grows from the flower of the cucumber plant.
By sticking to science, cucumbers are fruits, not vegetables. But it is usually considered a vegetable in the culinary world.
As cucumber is mostly used in savory dishes and is low in sugar content, that’s the reason it is considered a vegetable.
Regardless of its fruit or vegetable status, there are countless ways for you and your canine to enjoy cucumber.
What Are The Side Effects Of Cucumber?
Cucumbers contain a large portion of the element called cucurbitacin which can trigger indigestion in dogs and humans when taken in the right amount.
Cucurbitacins found in cucumbers are mainly responsible for the bitter taste in cucumbers. Cucurbitacin has innate diuretic properties.
When cucumbers are taken excessively, these diuretic ingredients result in excessive elimination of fluid from your dog’s body, hampering the electrolytic balance.
In extreme conditions, it could leave your furry friend gravely dehydrated! If this happens, call your veterinarian immediately!
Do Cucumbers Make Dogs Gassy?
Yes. The high fiber and water content in cucumbers can make your canine a bit gassy. Symptoms of gas you will notice in your dog include the following:
- Belching
- Flatulence
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
Your dog will not experience the above symptoms if you offer cucumber skins and seeds in moderation.
Gas is most times caused by the breakdown of undigested food in the colon of your dog. You can prevent your dog from becoming gassy by sticking to the 10% rule mentioned earlier in this article.
What Are The Benefits Of Cucumbers?
The water content of cucumbers is about 96% water, which makes it an excellent low-calorie treat for your dog. A perfect treat for dogs on a weight reduction diet.
Cucumbers are packed with vitamin K, which keeps your dog’s bones pretty strong. Cucumbers are also loaded with different essential vitamins and minerals.
As a plus for your dog, cucumbers contain phytochemicals and phytonutrients that help keep the breath of your dog fresh.
Of course, you shouldn’t stop brushing your dog’s teeth, but cucumbers help dogs deal with stinky breath.
Does Cucumber Decrease Blood Pressure?
Yes, it does. Cucumber contains potassium, an electrolyte that controls the amount of sodium retained in the kidneys.
When your dog eats cucumber skins and seeds, it gets more potassium, thereby lowering its blood pressure.
The blood pressure of your cat is lowered through the elimination of excess sodium via urine.
Is Cucumber Good For Diabetic Dogs?
Yes. The low sugar content in cucumbers makes them excellent treats for diabetic dogs. The cucumber peel contains nutrients for blood sugar control.
A study on cucumber peel shows its importance in reversing many diabetes-associated markers, including decreasing blood sugar.
The next time you are feeding cucumbers to your dog, resist the urge to peel the peel! Remember to wash the cucumbers well before giving them to your canine.
Now, let’s consider some other benefits of cucumbers for your dog.
Hydration
Since cucumbers contain about 96% of water, it is an excellent and healthy treat to hydrate your dog.
Have you ever heard that the average human body contains about 50% to 60% of water? It’s the same for dogs!
After a walk with your dog in the park, offer some cucumbers to your canine for hydration. Most dogs don’t get enough water.
Weight Loss
There are a lot of dogs who are obese due to the kind of food they eat. If your dog happens to be overweight, consider giving cucumbers as treats.
A cup of cucumbers contains only 16 calories. The next time your overweight dog wants some cucumbers, gladly share them with your canine.
If your canine doesn’t like the taste of cucumber, broccoli is a good alternative.
Arthritis
Cucumbers are recommended for dogs suffering from arthritis. They are known to contain silica, a mineral that strengthens the bone and connective tissue.
Dogs suffering from arthritis can relieve some of their discomfort with a few slices of cucumbers.
