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Pickles are a staple in many households, and they’re the perfect garnish for a variety of meals, including burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches! But can dogs eat pickles too?
Because it could be those big, soulful eyes begging for a piece of what you eat, is it okay to throw a small piece at him?
Generally, pickles are not toxic to dogs. They contain some health benefits, so it would be fine to give them to your dog in theory.
However, pickles come in many presentations, and some are more harmful than others; they are extremely high in sodium and contain ingredients that could potentially be harmful to a dog.
So the answer to: “can dogs have pickles?” is yes, but there are some caveats.
Table Of Contents
What are pickles?
Pickles are cucumbers that have been preserved in saltwater brine along with vinegar and other spices, which is where the high sodium content comes from.
Pickles come in various flavors, some hotter and spicier than others, and may contain ingredients that are toxic or unhealthy for a dog. Since there’s no standard recipe for how they’re made, it’s important to know what they contain before sharing one with your pup.
Can Dogs Eat Pickles?
The answer to this question is yes…but no. It’s too complicated to give a definitive answer, so we’ll break it down for you below.
Gherkins are not toxic to dogs. So if your dog gobbles up a pickle that falls off your plate, generally don’t worry. A few small bits of a pickle here and there probably won’t be a problem either.
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However, pickles are extremely high in sodium and contain other potentially harmful ingredients. For this reason, vets do not recommend feeding pickles to your dog.
Are Pickles Good For Dogs?
One of the most common questions people ask is whether pickles are good for dogs. Rest assured, they are. By eating pickles, your pup benefits from the many vitamins and minerals found in cucumbers, including vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, phosphorus, magnesium, and manganese.
However, this comes at the cost of simultaneous ingesting other potentially harmful additives such as salt, vinegar, and spices. If you want to give your dog pickles for the health benefits, it’s probably better to feed them regular cucumbers instead.
What Types of Pickles Are OK For Dogs?
Our dog is safest to eat the regular pickle, dill pickle, or kosher pickle. They should not be given pickled onions, garlic, pickled peppers, or some spices, so it’s safest to stay away from flavorings and spices. Most people recommend sweet pickles because they have a lower salt content and are therefore less risky.
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Your dog would get the same health benefits from cucumber, but with much less risk – so cucumber is a better snack for dogs. Other great veggies that would make a better snack are diced sweet potatoes or bell peppers as a workout reward.
Can Dogs Have Pickle Juice?
Can dogs have pickles in juice form? If you’ve heard all the buzz around apple cider vinegar and its health benefits, you probably think that pickle juice, with its high vinegar content, is healthy for your dog. However, there is no research to support this claim.
While apple cider vinegar is typically touted as healthy, white vinegar is rarely praised by health enthusiasts. This is the type of vinegar used to make pickles.
Some pet experts even say vinegar isn’t even good for dogs as a topical spray. Vinegar is often used as a flea repellent, but outdated studies usually support this claim.
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The vinegar can upset the pH balance of the skin and make the coat appear dull. So it’s not even a good choice as a topical product, let alone as ingestion for your dog.
Speaking of pH imbalances, the acidic nature of the vinegar can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. The acid can also strain the kidneys. As your dog ages, the kidneys may not be able to process and process as much acid as they used to.
Because of the vinegar in the pickles themselves, you may be wondering if you should feed your dog pickles. Not at all. If you are concerned about this, for example, if your dog has kidney disease, check with your vet before feeding your dog any pickle, even if you are only feeding a few slices.
What if My Dog Ate a Pickle?
If your dog accidentally ate a few pickles, don’t panic. Check what type of pickle your dog has eaten and contact your vet.
Depending on the amount and type of pickle he has ingested, your vet may recommend that you take your puppy with you just in case.
If your dog has eaten a large number of pickles, especially those that you know contain onion, garlic, or other herbs that are toxic to dogs, contact your local veterinarian.
How to Prepare Pickles for Dogs
If the pickles in your fridge aren’t too high in sugar, salt, or garlic and they weren’t prepared with onions, then it’s probably safe to go ahead and give your dog a piece of one as a treat.
But can dogs have whole pickles?
It is recommended not to give the dog a whole pickle. These can often be quite large, especially in some species. That’s probably way too much sodium.
You may also worry about whether your dog can physically eat pickles without harming itself. Some dogs seem to swallow their treats whole in their eagerness to chew on a tasty snack.
If your dog is the type to swallow treats whole, you may want to feed him a few pickle slices instead. of a spear.
Remember, however, that spears are a choking hazard, even if cut in half. So keep this in mind if you want to be sure of a safe treat for your begging pup.
FAQs About Dogs And Pickles
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Pickles?
So we know not to feed our puppies pickles with salt or onions. How about sweet pickles? May they cut into pieces and give to our four-legged friends? Unfortunately, not really.
The secret to what makes sweet pickles so good is, well… sugar! A lot too!.
And, as with humans, eating too much sugar can cause a variety of health problems for dogs, including diabetes, weight gain, and even cavities.
Plus, giving your dog something full of sugar, such as sweet pickles, also increases the risk of stomach upset, which can lead to side effects that are less than aromatic.
Can dogs eat kosher dill pickles?
Yes, kosher pickles are fine. Kosher is just a brand. As with all dill pickles, the sodium content will be higher, so you’ll probably want to check that.
Are Pickles with Onions Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Are Pickles with Onions Safe for Dogs to Eat?
It is not safe to feed your dog pickles pickled or cooked with onions.
Onions are a non-starter for dogs. Onions and anything cooked with them can irreparably damage the hemoglobin in your dog’s red blood cells, causing a condition called Heinz anemia. They should be careful if they suspect their dog has eaten onions. These include weakness, pale gums, fainting, and reddish urine.
If your dog starts to show symptoms of onion poisoning, he probably needs medical attention. Your vet can induce vomiting and provide ongoing support as your dog’s body recovers and starts producing new healthy red blood cells to replace damaged blood cells.
In addition, don’t delay medical attention. Onion toxicity in dogs can be fatal if left untreated.
Can dogs eat pickles in a jar?
New! Pickle juice contains all the salt, sugar, and vinegar without any nutrition. It is horrible for your dog to have that much salt, and it will make your dog sick. Keep the pickle jar well out of the reach of your pet.
Can dogs eat fried pickles?
Yes, as long as your dog does not have a wheat allergy. Many types of batter contain wheat, which can be difficult for some dogs to digest if they are gluten intolerant.
Will pickles hurt my dog?
While pickles are safe for your dog, they have very little nutritional value and are usually high in sodium. While an occasional slice of pickle won’t harm them, there’s no point in feeding your dog extra sodium.
Conclusion
One or two pickles won’t hurt, but feeding your dog pickles regularly can lead to kidney disease and death, so it’s better to play it safe and not give it to your dog. It’s a habit to give your dog pickles just because they like it.
We know it’s hard to resist those big eyes, especially when your dog does the trick trying to convince you to share your food, but say no is best.
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