Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?

Yes, dogs can eat cucumbers, and they’re one of the lightest treats there is. The free Dog Toxic-Foods Checker lists cucumber as Safe: “Crunchy, hydrating and very low in calories.” Its only instruction: “Cut into sticks or coins.”

This page covers why cucumber is such a good low-calorie reward, how to cut it, and why pickles are a different story.

Why cucumber is a great treat

The AKC puts the numbers side by side: half a cup of cucumber slices has about 8 calories, compared with roughly 40 in a medium dog biscuit. Cucumber has very little sodium and no fat, and because it’s mostly water, it’s filling for very few calories. That makes it a useful swap for dogs who need to lose weight, and more than half of U.S. dogs are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s clinic surveys.

How much to give

The checker’s portion guide: a few thin coins or sticks — a couple for a small dog, a small handful for a large one. “Very low-calorie and hydrating.”

• Count it, lightly. Treats of every kind should stay within about 10% of daily calories, the guideline AAHA uses, and cucumber barely moves the needle. The free Dog Feeding Calculator gives your dog’s daily number.
• Go easy at first. A big pile of a watery vegetable can cause gas or loose stools.

How to cut it

The AKC notes that the main risks with cucumber are overeating and choking. Both are easy to manage:

• Never give a whole cucumber or a big chunk. Cut thin coins or sticks.
• Go smaller for small dogs and for dogs who swallow treats without chewing.
• Freeze a few slices for a cooling summer snack, cut a little thinner since frozen pieces are harder.

The skin and soft seeds are fine. Wash the cucumber first, and peel it if your dog finds the skin tough.

Pickles are a different food

A pickle starts as a cucumber, but it ends up soaked in salty brine, often with garlic, onion, dill and spices. Garlic and onion damage a dog’s red blood cells (onion and garlic), and a lot of salt can cause vomiting and excessive thirst. Don’t share pickles. If your dog stole a few, especially a small dog and garlic-heavy pickles, call your vet.

Also skip cucumber served with dips, dressings or tzatziki, which usually contain garlic and salt, and cucumber salads dressed with onion.

Cucumber in the heat

Because it’s mostly water, frozen cucumber makes a nice summer treat. It doesn’t replace water, shade and keeping walks to the cooler parts of the day. Heavy panting, drooling, weakness or collapse in hot weather are signs of heatstroke and need a vet right away.

More crunchy, low-calorie picks

Rotate cucumber with other plain, light treats: green beans, carrots, watermelon without seeds or rind, and blueberries. The free food safety chart puts the whole Safe / Caution / Never list on the fridge.