• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. To see what cookies we serve and set your own preferences, please review our Cookie Policy. Learn More.

The Dog People by Rover.com

Powered by Rover.com

Tips, stories, and reviews for people who love dogs, powered by Rover.com, the world's largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.

  • The Dog People by Rover.com
  • Dog Breeds
    • Golden Retriever
    • Australian Shepherd
    • German Shepherd
    • Pomeranian
    • Shih Tzu
    • Border Collie
    • Labrador Retriever
    • Boxer
    • Beagle
    • Dachshund
    • Chihuahua
    • Poodle
    • Yorkshire Terrier
  • Dog Love
    • Cute
    • Funny
    • Heartwarming
    • Quizzes
    • Trending
    • True Stories
  • Dog Names
    • Best Girl Dog Names
    • Top Boy Dog Names
    • Unique Dog Names
    • Cute Dog Names
    • Best Puppy Names
    • Dog Name Generator
    • Tough Dog Names
    • Food Dog Names
    • Romantic Dog Names
    • Literary Dog Names
    • Country Dog Names
  • Dog Videos
  • Life with Dogs
    • Dog Safety
    • Dog Behavior
    • Dog Psychology
    • Dog Nutrition
    • Dog Training
    • Health and Wellness
    • Recipes
    • Can My Dog Eat…?
  • PuppyHQ
    • Dog Adoption
    • Puppy Essentials
    • Puppy Names
    • Puppy Training
  • Shopping
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • All Dog Product Guides
    • Dog Gift Guides
    • Safety and Training
    • Toys and Chews
  • Cats!
    • Cat Breeds
    • Cat Names
    • Cat Psychology
  • Dog Training
  • Get Rover
    • Dog Boarding
    • Pet Sitting
    • Dog Walking
    • Doggy Day Care
    • House Sitting
    • Search Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • Sitter Resources
  • Languages
    • en-CA
    • en-GB
    • fr-FR
    • es-ES
    • de-DE
    • it-IT
    • nl-NL
    • nb-NO
    • sv-SE
    • fr-CA

Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?

Share62Pin It4
A Boston terrier tilts his head, wondering what foods are safe to eat

Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?

Caring for Your Dog
By Emilie Bess

Share62Tweet0Pin It4

From sandwiches to salads, cucumbers are a healthy and refreshing addition to many human meals. But what about your dog? Can dogs eat cucumbers too?

Is Cucumber Safe for Dogs to Eat?

Happily, yes! Sliced or diced cucumber makes a great treat for your dog, and can be for you too.Though as is the general rule, your dog should only be given cucumber in moderation. On hot summer days, they can even help keep your pet hydrated due to their high water content. Your dog may find the satisfying crunch and juicy texture of a perfectly ripe cucumber just as thrilling as a biscuit or shop bought treat, so cucumbers make a great, healthy alternative for training treats, too.

Is Cucumber Healthy for My Dog?

Yes. Fresh cucumbers are about 96% water and are a delightfully crunchy way to stay hydrated on a hot day. They also contain vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and magnesium, all important components of a healthy canine diet.

However, pickled cucumbers (and other pickled veggies) are packed with salt and often contain other ingredients that are no-nos for dogs, such as garlic or onion.

So skip the pickles and stick to the fresh veggies.

Serving Ideas

  • Combine peeled, chopped cucumber with chunks of cantaloupe, celery, and pear for a refreshing dog-friendly salad side dish
  • Slice cucumbers into rounds and remove the soft seedy center. Stuff cucumber slices with peanut butter or cream cheese (these make fun creepy “eyeball” treats at Halloween)
  • Freeze chunks or spears of peeled cucumber for a teething treat for your puppy
  • Use small pieces of cucumber as low-calorie training treats
  • Top their regular dog food with small pieces of cucumber for a refreshing meal
  • Dehydrate slices of cucumber to create a chewy, summery treat

Can Eating Cucumbers Be Dangerous for Dogs?

The only concern with cucumber is that your dog might love them too much and gobble down too many. This could lead to overeating or choking, both a great way to ruin a tasty food.

As with any treat, overeating cucumber can lead to an upset belly. The skin and seeds of a cucumber can be upsetting to a dog’s stomach, so removing those items could help a more sensitive dog enjoy this veggie.

Chomping on whole cucumbers can be a choking hazard. If your dog likes to wolf down her food, chop the veggies into a manageable size.

As with any new food, when introducing cucumbers to your dog, start with a little to make sure that your dog digests it well.

How Much Cucumber Can My Dog Eat?

A common recommendation from vets is to follow the 10% rule. Treats, including raw veggies, can make up 10% of the calories in your dog’s diet.

This might mean that you can treat your Papillon to a slender cucumber spear on a hot afternoon, while your German shepherd might get a big scoop of frozen cuke chunks.

Fresh cucumbers are only about 1% sugar by weight, and one cup of chopped cucumbers has about 1 gram of sugar, 1 gram of dietary fiber and 16 calories. This can make cucumbers a good treat option for dogs on a reduced-calorie diet or with diabetes.

As a low-calorie food, cucumbers make great training treats and can be used as a topper on your dog’s regular dinner. Go ahead and share a slice from your salad with your pup.

For More Information

From carrots to watermelon, there is a wide selection of information on vegetables available on our Can My Dog Eat? directory page.

Learn more about feeding your dog a wonderfully varied diet while learning the limitations of a dog’s sensitive digestive system. We offer a collection of articles on foods that are safe, dangerous or even toxic for dogs to eat, including vegetables, dairy, bread, and junk food.

Learn more about the veggies that are safe for dogs in articles like Can my dog eat cabbage? and Can my dog eat artichokes?

Share62Tweet0Pin It4

Emilie Bess

Emilie Bess is a Ph.D. biologist, community educator, and science writer based in Seattle. She's an experienced caretaker of not only cats and dogs, but also guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens, and goats.

sidebar

By Emilie Bess

Share This Article

Share62Tweet0Pin It4

Popular Posts

  • 3 Frozen Dog Treats You Can Make in Less Than an Hour [Recipe]
  • 5 Reasons Dogs Lick and Chew Their Paws — And How to Help
  • 14 Muddiest Dogs on the Entire Internet
  • TLC From B.C. Rescue Turns Fierce Feral Cats Into Calm Kitties
  • Ice Licks Keep Your Dog Cool and Happy All Summer Long [Recipe]
  • What to Do if Your Dog Is Stung by a Bee
  • What You Need to Know to Prevent Heatstroke in Dogs
  • Two-Ingredient Watermelon Ice Cream Is an Easy Summer Treat for Your Dog [Recipe]
  • 4 Blended Summer Slushies to Share With Your Dog [Recipe]
  • Peggy the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Molly the Magpie Make the Cutest, Unlikely BFFs

Learn More

  • About Rover.com
  • Download the App
  • Rover Store
  • Sitter Resources
  • In The Press
  • Terms of Service
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • User Terms
  • Privacy Statement
  • Cookie Policy

Need Help?

  • Help Center
  • Join the Team
© 2023 Rover.com. All Rights Reserved.