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The diet of dogs is increasingly developing away from finished products. Many four-legged friends are increasingly eating high-quality fruit and vegetables, including cucumbers.

In a nutshell

  • basically non-toxic
  • very low in calories and suitable as a light diet
  • rich in important minerals
  • own pre-tasting recommended
  • Note the proportion of bitter substances in the variety

positive ingredients

Cucumber contains many essential ingredients that are important for the functionality of the body. The consumption of the pulp in particular is generally harmless for dogs.

Cucumber consists of around 95% water and is therefore ideal for replenishing the body's fluid storage. In addition, the cucumber also contains a large number of the important A, B, C and E vitamins as well as antioxidants.

Other minerals contained in cucumber are:

  • potassium
  • zinc
  • iron
  • magnesium
  • calcium

The minerals and vitamins it contains are of great importance for stimulating and cleansing digestion and strengthening the immune system and should therefore be integrated into the daily diet in the appropriate amount.

Toxic ingredients

The ingredients that should only be taken in moderation include bitter substances. Excessive intake therefore leads to a wide range of reactions from the entire body system. Luckily, a high concentration of bitterness is easily recognizable by the taste of the fruit. If the proportion is excessive and therefore harmful to health, it tastes very bitter and is therefore inedible for both humans and dogs.

The cucurbitacins are mainly found in the skin and seeds of cucumbers, so these should be removed before consumption to facilitate digestibility and to reduce any negative symptoms.

symptoms of poisoning

Ingestion of a large amount of bitter substances leads to symptoms of intoxication of the body. The symptoms can range from increased salivation to shock. Other symptoms are:

  • Vomit
  • diarrhea
  • disorientation
  • apathy

If your dog develops these symptoms, see a veterinarian as soon as possible for further treatment of the symptoms.

Intensity of toxicity

The strength of the toxic effect correlates with the proportion of bitter substances contained in the cucumber. The bitter substances in cucumbers are only caused by stress reactions to which the plant is exposed.

These include, among others:

  • cold
  • heavy rain
  • dryness
  • poor quality seed

Edible Varieties

Basically, cucumbers are divided into the groups of salad and snake cucumbers as well as pickled and pickled cucumbers. The cucumbers and cucumbers are characterized by their long and narrow shape. The pickled and pickled gherkins, on the other hand, tend to be shorter in length and thicker in shape. With regard to the essential ingredients, however, there are only minor differences between the species. In general, you can feed both species raw without hesitation.

By pickling vegetables, they are enriched with various spices as well as vinegar and oil, which are unsuitable for dogs as food. These include mustard seeds, garlic and sugar, which is why you should not feed pickled cucumbers to dogs, regardless of the variety.

Notice: A special feature are the bitter gourds, which belong to the gherkin family, but already have a higher concentration of bitter substances by nature. Therefore, this type of cucumber should not be on a dog's menu.

Consumption recommendation

A maximum of two to three centimeters large pieces of a peeled and seeded cucumber are particularly optimal for feeding. With larger pieces, there is a risk of choking, especially for hasty eaters, which in turn can lead to stomach and intestinal problems and shortness of breath. The pickles and gherkins often contain much less well-tolerated dreaded meat, so that the administration of these has not proven itself in practice.

Even if the cucumber impresses with its positive ingredients, it is one of the treats and should therefore not make up more than 10% of the daily food. The remaining 90% should consist of animal components to ensure species-appropriate protein-rich feeding.

Tip: Due to its high water content, the cucumber is an ideal basis for many cooked dishes when barfing. In combination with rice, quark or meat, a nutritious and at the same time low-calorie diet can be prepared, especially for overweight animals.

frequently asked Questions

Should bought or home-grown cucumbers be used?

Store-bought cucumbers usually contain significantly less bitter substances than home-grown ones. Essentially, this results from the industrially optimally coordinated breeding and growth processes, which lead to less stress on the individual plant.

When should a dog not be fed cucumbers?

Dogs that are ill or already very weak should not be given any cucumbers as food, but rather more protein-rich food.

Which vegetables are better tolerated by dogs?

The local vegetable world provides many other species that are much more digestible than cucumbers. In addition to all types of lettuce, this also includes carrots, kohlrabi and beetroot. These can be fed raw without hesitation, although the amount should not exceed the aforementioned maximum limit of 10%.

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Category:

Animals in the garden