Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Cucumber Skin? Yes, Washed and Sliced
Yes. Cucumber skin is safe for dogs, and the American Kennel Club says both the seeds and the skin are generally fine to eat. Wash the cucumber well and slice it into pieces that suit your dog's size, because a whole cucumber or a long spear is a choking risk for small dogs and fast eaters. Cucumbers are mostly water and very low in calories. Pickles are a different food: the brine adds salt and spices, so keep those off the menu.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read2 sources
Why cucumber skin is safe
The skin is the dark green outer layer of the cucumber. It is a little firmer and more fibrous than the flesh, but it contains nothing toxic to dogs, and the AKC confirms that the seeds and skin are generally safe to eat.
Cucumber as a whole is one of the lightest treats you can give. The AKC notes it has about 8 calories per half cup of slices, is very low in sodium and fat-free, and is about 96 percent water, which makes it a useful snack for dogs that need to lose weight.
When to peel the cucumber
Most dogs handle the skin well, but peeling can help in a few cases. Waxed supermarket cucumbers have a coating on the skin, so peel them or scrub them hard. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, the extra fiber in the skin can mean a little more gas.
For puppies and very small dogs, peeled cucumber is softer and easier to chew. English and Persian cucumbers have thin, tender skin that rarely needs peeling; field cucumbers with thick, bitter skin are worth peeling.
Pickles and cucumber dishes to avoid
The AKC advises avoiding pickles, because they typically contain added salt, spices and other ingredients. Dill pickles, bread-and-butter pickles and pickle spears from a sandwich all sit in brine that is far too salty for a dog, and some recipes include garlic or onion.
Cucumber salads and tzatziki usually contain garlic, onion, vinegar or dressing, and sushi rolls bring rice, soy sauce and sometimes raw fish. If your dog ate a dish with garlic or onion, call your vet, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply.
How to cut cucumber for a dog
Wash the cucumber thoroughly, as the AKC recommends, to remove dirt and residue. The AKC says feeding a whole cucumber is not recommended and that pieces should be cut to suit your dog's size and chewing habits.
For a dog under 20 lb, cut thin slices into quarters, about the size of a blueberry. For medium dogs, half-moon slices work; large dogs can have full rounds. Frozen cucumber slices make a cooling summer treat, as long as they are thin enough not to be swallowed whole.
How much cucumber by dog size
The AKC suggests treats stay within 10 percent of the daily diet and recommends starting with a few small slices. As a guide for a healthy adult dog: under 20 lb, three or four small pieces; 20 to 50 lb, a quarter of a cucumber; over 50 lb, up to half a cucumber.
Overfeeding can cause digestive upset, the AKC notes, mostly loose stool and gas, because of the water and fiber. Spread larger amounts across the day rather than giving them all at once.
For dogs that gulp anything new, a slow feeder bowl or a lick mat keeps portions small and eating slow.
Puppies and cucumber skin
Weaned puppies can have small pieces of cucumber, and many teething puppies like a cold slice. Peel it for very young or toy-breed puppies, and cut it into thin pieces no bigger than a pea so it cannot lodge in the throat.
Introduce cucumber on its own and watch the stool for a day. A few pieces are enough; a puppy still needs most of its calories from a complete puppy food.
Signs it disagreed with your dog, when to call a vet, and alternatives
Gas or a soft, watery stool after a large amount of cucumber usually settles within a day. Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea repeats, or your dog seems lethargic. Gagging, drooling or pawing at the mouth after swallowing a large piece means call straight away.
If cucumber does not suit your dog, other light, crunchy options include green beans, carrot coins and celery cut small. Keep any vegetable plain and cut to size.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Should I peel cucumbers for my dog?
You do not have to. The AKC says cucumber skin is generally safe. Peel waxed cucumbers, thick-skinned field cucumbers, or cucumber for puppies and dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Can dogs eat cucumber seeds?
Yes. The AKC says both the seeds and skin are generally safe for dogs. Cut the cucumber into pieces that suit your dog's size so it cannot be swallowed whole.
Can dogs eat pickles?
It is best not to. Pickles sit in salty brine with spices, and some contain garlic or onion. A single bite is unlikely to harm a large dog, but plain cucumber is the better treat.
Can dogs eat cucumber every day?
A few slices a day is fine for most healthy dogs, as long as treats stay within about 10 percent of their daily food. Too much can cause loose stool.
Is cucumber good for dogs on a diet?
It can be a useful low-calorie treat. The AKC notes cucumbers are about 96 percent water and have very few calories. Ask your vet to help plan a weight-loss diet.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
