Pickles are basically cucumbers soaked in white vinegar, fermented with added spices and seasonings such as dill. A simple process that yields delicious results!
And, sodium content aside, they are not bad for us, in fact they are pretty good additions to our diet.
But what about your dogs lurking around your kitchen? Can dogs eat pickles?
In this article we will tell you whether pickles are safe for dogs to eat. We will tell you if this food has healthy benefits or if it has harmful effects to our dogs.
We will also tell you a bit more about pickles.
Can Dogs Eat Pickles?
The short answer is no. Dogs should absolutely not eat pickles. Pickles are not a safe food for dogs.
There are many types of produce that are not good for dogs such as grapes, apricots, avocados, and pickles are one of them.
Pickle is a bad food for our furry pooches. Although it is not considered to be a toxic food for our dogs, you must not feed your dog too many pickles.
Precautions To Take When It Comes To Dogs and Pickles
Although pickles are non toxic for dogs, they are high in sodium. That is because pickles are cucumbers dipped in salt-water along with vinegar and other spices for preservation.
Like I said earlier, pickles are very salty for dogs. They have, on average, about 283 mg of sodium per pickle.
Pickles also vary greatly in flavor and additives. And some of these flavors may contain ingredients that are unhealthy and/or toxic for dogs.
What Types of Pickles are Especially Bad for Dogs?
Certain types of pickles such as the bread-and-butter type of pickles contain ingredients that are dangerous for dogs. They contain onions, garlic, spices, and sugar, all of which are bad for dogs.
Another type of pickles that are seriously bad for dogs is the hot-and-spicy type of pickles. From the name itself, hot-and-spicy pickles contain chili peppers and hot spices, which are bad for dogs.
However, not all kinds of pickles are unhealthy or toxic for dogs. Even though pickles are generally an unhealthy food for dogs, they contain some helpful nutrients.
Health Benefits of Pickles For Your Dog
Pickles can be rich in certain minerals and vitamins. Pickles are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Protein, and Fiber.
Pickles are rich in Vitamin A. Vitamin A can help prevent medical conditions caused by irregular blood sugar levels.
Pickles are also a source of Vitamin K. Vitamin K is great for developing blood vessels as well as regenerating skin and creative tissue.
Pickles also contain small amounts of protein. Protein is an essential nutrient that can contribute to muscle development and tissue repair.
Pickles also have a fair share of fiber. Fiber helps in solving a dog’s digestive problems. Foods rich in fiber such as watermelon rind can help against bowel movement problems.
The average pickles contain only 4 calories, making them a low-calorie food. However, in pickles, the risks outweigh the benefits and they are not recommended for dog snacks.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
Up next in the series, Can Dogs Eat Tortillas?
