There are times that during meal times, you want to share your plate with your furry friend to bond with them or maybe spoil them. But before making this a habit, a little research can help to keep your dog safe because some foods can be potentially dangerous to them.
For instance, while vegetables have health benefits, not all vegetables can be consumed by dogs. Some foods can make them sick, and in some cases toxic and poisonous to them. If you enjoy pickles, you may be wondering whether it is safe for your dog.
Here is what you need to know about feeding your dog pickles.
Can Dogs Eat Pickles?
No, dogs cannot eat pickles. It is only normal to think that since dogs can eat cucumbers, they can also eat pickles. However, this is not the case. While pickles have high nutritional benefits and are not toxic for dogs, they contain spices that can upset dog’s stomachs.
The spices in pickles can cause many unpleasant consequences to your furry pet since a dog’s digestive system is not designed to process spices and spicy foods. Hence, giving pickles to your dog can cause their discomfort.
Pickles also contain high sodium. Salty foods can dehydrate your dogs and can lead to high blood pressure or even salt poisoning when taken in excess. If your dog has kidney issues, then it can be potentially harmful to them. The last thing you want is for your dogs to have kidney stones.
Furthermore, the vinegar content in pickles can cause dogs to have upset stomachs. Therefore, pickles are not a great choice to give your furry friends.
Can Dogs Eat Dill Pickles?
Some fur parents give their dogs dill pickles to make their breath fresher. However, no matter how savory they might taste, dill pickles contain a lot of sodium. The best rule to follow when feeding your four-legged friend is to stay away from food filled with spices and flavorings.
Nonetheless, there are pet owners that buy dill pickles with less sodium and give them to their dogs. However, you still have to practice caution because an overload in dill pickles can be harmful or unfortunately fatal to your dogs.
Instead, you can opt for other fruits and vegetables like sweet potatoes and cubed bell peppers and use them as little food treats for dogs during training. Alternatively, you can add fresh dills to their food after a day of teaching them. These can serve as tasty and healthy rewards to motivate them while working hard.
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Pickles?
Now that dogs can’t eat foods high in salt, you might be wondering whether they can eat sweetened pickles. Well, the answer is yes, but occasionally. Sweet pickle treats contain less sodium than spiced pickles and are a safe option.
However, be sure to avoid giving an entire pickle to your dog because it might cause them to choke. Instead, it is recommended to give them bite-size pieces as treats. Also, you may want to start with one or two pieces if this is the first time you are giving your dog sweetened pickles, and see how they react to it.
If they enjoy the taste or they are fine after taking them, you can occasionally let your furry family members eat this to add variety to their diet.
Conclusion
In summary, pickles are not necessarily harmful. However, they are high in sodium and contain ingredients that may not be safe for your four-legged friend. There are always other healthy snack options you can provide your dogs that contain vitamins and minerals that are good for their health.
Some of the known safe fruits for dogs include asparagus, potatoes, cucumbers, and carrots. However, if you are not sure about a certain food, you may always do your research or consult your veterinarian first.