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If you are here wondering if Dachshunds can eat cucumbers, you’ve come to the right spot! Let me guess, you are eating a cucumber and wanna know if you can give some to your pup staring at you.
Dogs digest food differently than humans do, which leads to some fruits being downright dangerous for them to eat. And for those of you wondering, yes, cucumber is a fruit!
So is cucumber safe for your Dachshunds to eat?
This article will show you:
- The 9 benefits of Dachshunds eating cucumbers
- The 2 dangers of cucumbers to dachshunds
- Guide for feeding your Dachshund cucumbers
And more…
Table of Contents
Can Dachshunds Eat Cucumbers?
Dachshunds can eat cucumbers! Cucumbers are hydrating, low in calories, and packed with beneficial nutrients and minerals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and many other health benefits.
Not only can your dogs eat cucumbers, but given all the different health benefits, your dog should be having some cucumber as a part of their diet.
Can Dachshunds Eat The Cucumber Skin?
Dachshunds can eat the cucumber skin. The skin contains most of the nutrition benefits in cucumbers. The only concern is for dogs with sensitive stomachs, the skin can be harder to digest and upset some dog stomachs.
The 9 Benefits Of Cucumbers For Dachshunds
1) Low Calories
Cucumbers have a very low calorie density, which means it has few calories for the volume of food it provides. This is extremely helpful for overweight Dachshunds as it will make them feel fuller quicker, and with less calories.
2) Hydrating
Cucumber is made up of 96% water. Water plays a crucial role in your dog’s bodily functions helping with things like temperature control, transportation of waste and nutrients, and much more.
While your dog will get most of their hydration from drinking water, cucumber can help increase their hydration status helping them reach an optimal daily fluid intake.
2) Packed With Nutrients and Minerals
Cucumber is packed with nutrients and minerals that can improve your Dachshunds overall health. Cucumber contains vitamin C, B1, B5, B6 and K, calcium, biotin, zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, fiber, and manganese.
Each of these components contribute to an increase to the overall health and well being of your dachshund. Here is a few reasons how for each:
Fiber helps your dog’s digestive system by helping move food down the intestinal tract. This can help resolve constipation, diarrhea, and some blockages that can occur.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) helps in multiple ways. It can help regulate your dogs hormones and fluid balance. It also helps with neurotransmitters and building proteins in the body.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) helps with energy production in the body.
Biotin helps with skin, fur / coat, and supports muscle development
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) helps to regulate fat and carbohydrate metabolism.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which helps with the immune system in dogs.
Vitamin K helps with heart and kidney functions. It also helps with bone density, fluid regulations, and helps with muscle development.
Potassium helps with heart and kidney functions. It also helps with bone density, fluid regulations, and helps with muscle development
Calcium, zinc, and Iron are helpful for the immune system, and bone growth and development.
Magnesium helps with bone growth while also aiding in vitamin and mineral absorption.
Manganese helps the body for connective tissue, bones, sex hormones, and blood clotting factors. In addition, it helps calcium absorption and blood sugar regulation.
This is by no means everything beneficial in a cucumber but gives you a little insight to the benefits of Dachshunds eating cucumbers.
4) May Improve Heart Health
Several nutrients in cucumber may support heart health for your Dachshund. The major ones to note are magnesium, and potassium.
Magnesium and potassium help maintain healthy blood flow by relaxing the blood vessels, promoting a lower blood pressure.
5) May Improve Digestion
The combination of water and fiber found in cucumber makes for an excellent snack to help your dog with digestion or any issues like constipation and diarrhea.
Fiber helps keep bowels regular, while water helps move waste through more efficiently.
This allows for stool consistency, preventing constipation and helps maintain regularity.
6) May Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Several animal studies have found that cucumbers may reduce blood sugar levels and even prevent some complications of diabetes.
One in particular concluded that cucumbers were able to effectively reduce and control blood sugar levels
There are a few other test tube studies done as well but the current evidence is limited.
Further studies will be needed to determine how cucumbers affect blood sugar levels in dogs.
7) May Aid With Weight Loss
Cucumbers may help your Dachshunds lose weight due to their low calories. Your pup can eat away without packing on any extra calories and feel fuller from less calories.
Furthermore, the high water percentage is also a big aid in weight loss.
8) They Contain Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that help remove free radicals from the body. These free radicals can lead to several issues and types of chronic illnesses.
In fact, oxidative stress that is caused by free radicals has been linked to cancer, lung, heart, and autoimmune disease.
Thus, having antioxidants as part of your Dachshunds diet is extremely beneficial.
9) Cucumbers Are Natural Breath Fresheners
Contained inside a cucumber are phytonutrients and phytochemicals that help with freshening your dog’s breath! This is done by destroying the bacteria causing odour in their mouth.
However, it must be said that eating cucumber should not replace a consistent oral hygiene routine.
Further Readings: Can Dachshunds Eat Apples? Health Benefits + Dangers
The 2 Dangers Of Dachshunds Eating Cucumbers
1) Choking
Cucumber is a great crunchy snack but remember your Dachshund is not very large. Making sure to cut down the cucumber into a manageable size is extremely important.
If your Dachshund loves to wolf down their meals then make sure there is no risk of choking should they swallow the entire piece you give them.
2) Overeating
Overeating any food item can lead to gastrointestinal (GI) upset or weight gain. This is especially important to note as Dachshund owners. Dachshunds are prone to obesity so we must be more mindful of this.
In addition, If it is your Dachshunds’ first time eating cucumber it is even more important to not to give them too much.
Let’s discuss how much is a good amount of cucumber for Dachshunds.
How Many Cucumbers Can I Give My Dachshund?
When feeding mango to your dachshund stick with the 90/10 rule. 90 percent of food your Dachshund eats throughout the day should be their main dietary food. 10 percent can be saved for treats like cucumbers.
A good rule of thumb for the size of a cucumber treat for Dachshunds is a small 1inch cube but adjust the size depending on age,size etc.
You never want to give them a whole cucumber.
In addition, when you first start to feed your dog cucumber, start slowly! Do not rush to give them a full treat size. Always test the waters with tiny pieces first.
You want to do this to make sure your dog’s stomach does not respond negatively to cucumber. Even with tiny pieces your dog will show signs of discomfort or potential allergies.
After testing their response with small pieces you can start to work your way up to normal sized treats.
Further Readings: Can Dachshunds Eat Mangos? 8 Benefits + 3 Dangers
How To Feed Cucumber To Dachshunds?
When preparing cucumber for your dog to eat, always start by washing off the skin. This is especially important if they are not organic.
Here are a few serving ideas you can use to feed your Dachshund cucumber:
- Combine peeled, chopped cucumber with chunks of banana, celery, and pear for a refreshing dog-friendly salad side dish
- Freeze chunks of peeled cucumber for a teething treat
- Use small pieces of cucumber as low-calorie training treats
- Top their regular dog food with small pieces of cucumber
- Dehydrate slices of cucumber to create a chewy treat
Can Dachshunds Eat Pickles?
Dachshunds should not eat pickles. Pickles contain ingredients that are bad for dogs. The excessive salt and added components make for a poor choice for your Dachshund.
Which Other Fruits Are Good for Dachshunds?
Grapes and raisins are both on the fruit to avoid list for dogs. However, there are quite a few fruits Dachshunds can actually eat. A few safe options for Dachshunds include:
- Watermelon
- Apples
- Cranberries
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Peaches
You can check out our full guide and list of the 27 fruits Dachshunds can and can’t eat to get more details on each.
Citations:
7 Health Benefits of Eating Cucumber
Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?
Anti-hyperglycemic effect of some edible plants
Contribution of Water from Food and Fluids to Total Water Intake: Analysis of a French and UK Population Surveys
Free Radicals, Antioxidants in Disease and Health
Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?