There is a whole list of vegetables that you will find to feed your dog. Each of these vegetables is highly nutritious, and in one way or the other will insure health benefits. But you need to make sure that you properly feed your dog on the list.
One such vegetable includes cucumber. Here, the question arises, can dogs eat cucumbers? The answer is yes. Dogs can eat cucumbers. In fact, you should try to include cucumbers in the diet of your dog as they will give your dog lots of essential nutrients that other foods may not be able to provide.
Benefits of cucumbers
Cucumbers have lots of nutritional value for the dogs. It does not end here, but they also provide dogs with lots of other benefits. Below is a shortlist of advantages of cucumbers.
- They have very fewer carbohydrates. It means that they will not cause obesity in your dog. It also makes cucumbers an ideal vegetable to add to your dog’s diet.
- As cucumbers are mostly made from water, they ensure that your puppy is kept hydrated at all times. They are especially great during the summer when the sun is scorching hot and when you are unsure whether your dog is drinking enough water or not.
- Both phytochemicals and phytonutrients are present in this vegetable which insure that your dog’s breath remains fresh at all times. Besides brushing your dog’s teeth, cucumbers are perfect for keeping their mouths clean.
- They have lots of antioxidants present in them which make sure that damaging oxidizing agents are all removed.
- Cucumbers also provide a variety of vitamins to the dog, all of which act to benefit their health and body in one way or the other.
- Sterols in cucumbers ensure that the cholesterol levels are under control. They stop cholesterol from rising above average.
- They have many different types of minerals present in them.
- They also ensure that the blood pressure of the puppy is regulated.
- They are ideal for old dogs and the dogs that suffer from arthritis or joint pain as they contain silica which helps in combating such health issues.
- All these nutrients along with water help the coat and skin in staying healthier and in perfect condition.
- There are almost zero calories present which makes sure that your dog does not get overweight. They also make a great addition to a meal if the dog is on a diet.
- They help to eliminate the risk of your dog getting various types of infections or inflammations. They also increase the healing pace.
- If any liver or kidney problems are prevailing in your dog, cucumbers will help the situation get better.
Other significant health benefits
We think it is better to highlight the following two health benefits provided by cucumbers; the reason for that being that these illnesses are a bit more dangerous and can sometimes prove to be disastrous if not fatal.
First of all, cucumbers contain fisetin; an element that is known for reducing the risk of brain-related issues. First ensures that your dog’s brain remains healthy and is protected from various problems such as memory loss and damaged cells which come with old age.
Secondly, they contain cucurbitacins; a substance that looks out for any cancerous cells prevailing in the dog’s body and eliminates them. It also stops them from spreading further through your dog’s body.
What do cucumbers provide?
We have already talked about the benefits of cucumbers, but what we have yet to mention is what they contain. Read on, and you will find a list of essentials that your dog will consume when it eats cucumbers.
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin B1
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Iron
- Fiber
- Copper
- Biotin
- Molybdenum
How much should you give your dog?
Whenever you plan on adding new vegetables or any new substance to your dog’s diet, you need to remember one word: moderation. Everything that you feed your dog, no matter how healthy it is, you need to make sure that it is given in moderation.
First and foremost, when you give your dog cucumbers, you need to observe it for at least 24 hours before deciding on the impact of the food. If your dog does not show any sign of pain or other stomach problems, then you are in the clear. But, if your dog witnesses any vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain, it is best that you remove cucumbers from their diet.
You can serve the food as a treat to your dog; that is, every once in a while. Twice or thrice is fine, as long as it does not have any negative impact on their digestive track. It is best if you feed them on cucumbers during daytime at first; it will be easier for you to keep an eye on your dog afterward.
How to serve
Img Source: earthnworlds.comYou can give your dog cucumbers along with its skin, though it is recommended that you peel it off. The skin of the cucumbers is hard to digest which is the main reason why cucumbers can prove to be heavy on the stomach. The best way to serve cucumber to your dog is by:
- Washing them right and peeling off. This way, any insecticide present on the skin will be washed off.
- Cutting the vegetable into thin slices which are easier to swallow. It will considerably decrease the chances of it getting stuck in their throat or intestine.
- Giving a small amount if you are giving it for the first time. You do not need to cook the vegetable; simply serve it to them and watch them eat. Just sit back and observe for at least a day to make sure that it does not cause any health problems.
As long as the feeding goes smoothly, you should not have anything else to worry about.
