Dogs, in general, are omnivorous by nature. They can eat meat and vegetables, whatever they prefer during their mealtime. But as a dog owner, one must have good judgment as to what is best for their dogs. This avoids unplanned veterinary visits that can lead to depressed dogs and owners alike.
What are cucumbers made of?
But, first things first, can dogs eat cucumbers? By nature, cucumbers are safe for your pet dogs to munch on. This crispy snack offers a low-caloric content that many dogs will love.
Nutritionally wise, cucumbers contain eight calories per one-half cup of slices. By giving your dog cucumbers, you are already giving them a healthy treat that will make them ask for more!
Another plus factor for this zesty food is that apart from having it as a training treat, this can help boost your dog’s vitamin C in the process! It’s like a win-win situation, training them at the same time providing them with the nutrients they need while growing.
Risks and Precautions in Giving Cucumbers
However, just like any other food (whether natural or artificial), precautions are necessary to ensure that the food that is supposed to make them healthy will not be the cause for their emergency visit to their favorite vet.
Since cucumbers are crunchy and a bit huge by nature, bear in mind to always cut the cucumber down to bite sizes. Never feed the whole cucumber as it is not advisable – this might cause choking.
You might need to slowly incorporate it into your dog’s meal to make sure that they will get used to it moving forward.
Now, the tricky part is, what part of a cucumber is safe for them to eat? Can dogs eat cucumbers skin? Yes, cucumber skin is safe for dogs, given that they are organic.
However, if not, make sure that you peel off the skin before giving it to them. It has been revealed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that skins of fruits and vegetables can contain pesticide and herbicide residues. They can linger on the cucumber skin and can be harmful to your dog if consumed excessively.
What about the seeds? Can dogs eat cucumbers with seeds? While some seeds of fruits and vegetables are proven toxic to dogs, cucumber seeds are perfectly safe. It’s as healthy and nutritious as the rest of the cucumber.
Lastly, do we have to cook the cucumber? Can dogs eat raw cucumbers? It depends on you because most of the dogs prefer to have it raw because of its crunchiness. Some boil them. But whatever way it was served is fine.
The 10 percent Rule
If you’re not sure about how much is too much for your dog, you can refer to the 10 percent rule. Veterinarians usually recommend that treats should only comprise up to 10 percent of your dog’s daily meal. That means it should only be a part and not be the main course of their food for the day.
Alternatives for Cucumber
Aside from cucumbers, it’s also best to include watermelons as part of their daily meal.
Considering the energy and excitement your dogs have every day, a portion of watermelon on their meal will keep them well hydrated, especially during the summer season. It won’t be difficult to add it up to their meal as it’s tasty and refreshing.
Another treat that they can have is tomatoes. They’re not just for us humans; they’re also beneficial for our canine friends alike.
However, make sure that they don’t consume the green part as it is a known place where solanine is highly concentrated. It’s best to feed them with the ripe ones (and small amounts, of course).
Lastly, green vegetables are also good for them, like celeries. For us humans, these are great healthy snacks, and that also applies to dogs. They can safely consume this vegetable occasionally as it contains a lot of minerals like Vitamin A. This will help their skin healthy and coat them shiny.
Conclusion
No matter what type of food it would be, whether it’s organic or not, it’s always best served in moderate amounts. But always remember, when in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out. After all, the health of our dogs is always our topmost priority, among other things.