Can Dogs Eat Pickles? Are Pickles Safe For Dogs?
Does your pup keep begging you to share some of the mouthwatering pickles you are eating? Or maybe you dropped a pickle, and your dog ate it, and you are wondering can dogs eat pickles?
The answer to this question is – that it depends on the types of spices, herbs, and additional ingredients added to the pickles.
While it is safe to give your dog fresh cucumbers or dill, pickles usually come with more ingredients, including some herbs and veggies, which can be toxic to dogs. Plus, the added salt can cause weight gain and high blood pressure in canines.
So, to stay on the safe side, it is better to refrain from feeding your dog with pickles.
It is recommended that you speak to your veterinarian before adding any new human food to your dog’s diet.
Read on to find out more about why it is not a good idea to feed pickles to your dog.
What makes pickles unsafe for dogs?
With a few exceptions, most pickles, such as kosher dill pickles or bread and butter pickles, contain garlic which is toxic for dogs, and other ingredients which are not good for your pup. Some pickles contain hot pepper and other spicy ingredients, which are bad for dogs too.
But even without the pepper and spices contained in the pickles may not be toxic for your dog, chances are that they will cause gastrointestinal upsets such as pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and others.
If you have made the pickles yourself or are absolutely sure that they contain only cucumber, dill, brine, and vinegar, it may be alright to treat your pup with a small chunk. Cucumbers are excellent low-calorie snacks for dogs, and dill is good for dogs too and can help freshen the dog’s breath.
But it is better to give your dog fresh dill and cucumbers as treats and in moderation instead of pickles.
What to do if your dog accidentally ate pickles?
If your dog has eaten one or a few pickles, then first check what type of pickles it has consumed and try to determine how many pickles it has eaten, and then call your veterinarian for advice.
Depending on the type of pickles and the amount your dog has eaten, you may be asked by your vet to bring the dog for a checkup.
If your pup has managed to eat large quantities of pickles that you know contain onions, garlic, or other herbs and ingredients which are toxic for dogs, then you should contact your emergency vet immediately or call the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-76621 to get instant advice.
The emergency vet or Pet Poison Helpline will give you the best advice on how to act and where to take your dog if your veterinarian is not available.
If you want to stay safe and ensure that your dog gets the best, freshest and safest food and eats a balanced menu, you can subscribe to a reputable dog food delivery service, like NomNomNow, which offers a considerable discount for a two-week trial.
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