The Benefits of Cucumbers for Dogs

Updated June 6, 2024

Last summer, we grew our own cucumbers in the backyard of our new place. Now, I love cucumbers, but did you know dogs love them, too? And they are actually good for them and can help hydrate on hot days? (Always keep fresh water available for your pet. Cucumbers are not meant to replace water, but are a good source of additional hydration). With the hot dog days of summer upon us here, I thought it would be a good time to talk about the benefits of giving cucumbers to our dogs. My boy Wolfie loved cukes! Pictured here from last summer, he was enjoying sampling our freshly picked cucumbers. 

Did you know there are many benefits to cucumbers for dogs?  

 ***But, first, as with anything new for your dog's diet, always check with your dog's vet first. And always feed in moderation to avoid gastrointestinal upset.***

According to Dr. Marty (DrMartyPets.com), not only are they a good low-calorie treat for our dogs, but cucumbers contain and are "Cucumber for dogs is perfectly safe, as long as you feed it to them in moderation." 

But don't confuse cucumbers with pickles. When pickling, the ingredients and spices used are not good for dogs, and can even be toxic.  So always say NO 🚫 to pickles! 

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 Who is Dr. Marty?

 "Called the 'Miracle Worker' by Forbes Magazine, Dr. Marty has been a leading voice in integrative veterinary medicine for more than 45 years. He’s the bestselling author of The Nature of Animal Healing and The Spirit of Animal Healing and has appeared on national television programs including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Martha Stewart Show, and Good Morning America. He stars in the critically-acclaimed documentary, The Dog Doc." ~DrMartyPets.com

 Note: This post includes some Amazon affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase an item, we earn a tiny commission *at not extra cost* to you. Thanks!

Cool As A Cucumber Dog Treat

Another great refreshing cucumber treat idea, especially on these hot days, is to whip them up into a cool healthy treat! (The following is one we originally found at DogMomChef.com).

Ingredients:

Fresh Organic Cucumber (sliced or cut into chunks)

1c. Organic Plain Fat-Free Yogurt

Smidge (1/8 tsp.) Honey

Directions:

I prefered to peel my cukes for me and my Sibes, but you can leave the skin on if your dog likes it. Toss cucumber in a blender with the organic fat-free plain yogurt and a bit of honey to sweeten. Pour into a mold (we used silicone paw print and/or bone-shaped molds).

Freeze until firm and serve!

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NOTE: The FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) issued a recall for SOME cucumbers. "May 31, 2024 – Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. of Delray, Florida, is recalling whole cucumbers shipped to certain states from May 17th through May 21st, 2024, due to the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella...The recalled cucumbers were shipped in bulk cartons from May 17th through May 21st, 2024, directly to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia." The recalled cucumbers are dark green, approximately 1.5 - 2.0 inches in diameter, and 5-9 inches long. Mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not included in this recall." You can read the full recall article HERE.

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