Pickles are one of those snacks you reach for when you don’t even know what you’re fancying. It’s simply the go-to snack for everyone. And while you’re snacking on your pickles, you have your dog begging for food. So you wonder, can dogs eat pickles?
That’s exactly the question we’re going to answer today! We are going to see if you can share pickles with your beloved canine friend, or if you should rather keep them only for yourself.
Besides pickles, there are many other delicious foods we would like to share with our dogs. However, not every human food is safe for dogs too. That’s why we are sharing many detailed articles on which human foods are safe and which are not:
- Can Dogs Eat Spicy Food?
- What fruits can dogs eat and which are toxic?
- What Vegetables Can Dogs Eat?
- Which Food Is Good Or Bad For Dogs?
Besides this, we have many articles on single human foods as well, such as:
- Can dogs eat brussel sprouts?
- Are Chicken Feet Safe For Dogs?
- Can dogs eat coconut? Is it really safe?
- Is celery good for dogs? Here’s the truth
- Can dogs eat olives? What you should know
- What Happens If A Dog Eats Chocolate?
With that being said, let’s dive right into answering the question can dogs eat pickles!
Can dogs eat pickles – The truth
In order to answer this question let’s first explain what pickles are (even though we probably all know it). Basically, pickles are just cucumbers that have been preserved in a salt-water brine along with vinegar and other spices. Meaning they have a very high sodium content. And if you did your homework (aka read our article on pretzels and why they are dangerous) you’ll know how harmful too much salt can be and that it can in fact lead to sodium poisoning.
Now, taking only that factor into consideration, it’s safe to say that pickles definitely are not completely safe for dogs to consume.
What makes pickles even more harmful is that there is not one universal recipe on how to make them. Some people add dill, some garlic, and some even onions into the whole mixture. Fact is, none of these ingredients are safe for dogs!
What veterinarians say
So, where do veterinarians stand when it comes to pickles? While pickles alone aren’t the issue, veterinarians still don’t recommend feeding them to your dog.
The main reason is the high sodium content. Obviously, your dog needs salt to stay healthy, but a dog that weighs 33 pounds needs around 100 milligrams of sodium daily! Which is basically nothing! So just one pickle can have terrible side effects on your dog’s health and overall well-being.
Besides this, even if we ignore all of the above, pickles have basically no nutritional value for your dog, so why would you even risk your dog’s health? What for?
What if your dog ate pickles
Even if you don’t willingly give your dog pickles, it can sometimes happen that they steal some off of your table. Or you maybe drop one and your living breathing vacuum inhales them in seconds.
If it happens that your dog ate pickles, please don’t panic! Check what type of pickles your dog ate, what the ingredients are, and contact your veterinarian immediately.
Let your vet know which pickles your dog ate, and read them the ingredient list, this way your veterinarian will know what to do and if you should bring your pooch in.
However, generally speaking, one or two pickles won’t majorly harm your dog. Just make sure your dog has access to enough fresh water. Your dog might be thirstier than usual, this is due to the salt level in pickles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the answer to the question can dogs eat pickles is a big no. Your dog should definitely not eat pickles.
Given that pickles are cucumbers, you might want to opt for them. Fresh cucumbers cut into bite-size pieces are a much better and healthier snack than cucumbers.
Also, keep in mind. if your dog does eat a few pieces of pickles, don’t panic. The amount will probably not harm your dog’s health. But if you do have concerns definitely contact your veterinrian.