It can be tricky figuring out what food your dog can and can’t eat. Pickles are a common addition to sandwiches, hot dogs, and even some salads. While cucumbers are safe for dogs to eat, what about their salty counterpart: the pickle? The good news is that pickles aren’t considered toxic to dogs, but the answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no. Here is everything you need to consider before giving your dog pickles.
What Are Pickles?
Pickles are cucumbers soaked or fermented in vinegar, salt, herbs, and spices. They are delicious due to their delicate balance of sweetness, saltiness, and crunchiness. Many cultures have a recipe for pickles, including chilis, garlic, dill, or onions. Some sandwich varieties of pickles contain sugar in the recipes to complement burgers and deli meats.
Are Pickles Good for Dogs?
We know pickles are great and tasty for us humans. Dill pickles, for example, introduce antioxidants into our diets that are critical for a well-balanced immune system.² But can dogs eat dill pickles? This variety of pickle is low in calories, plus it contains many vitamins, including vitamin K, vitamin C, and vitamin A.²
Despite these great attributes, your dog shouldn’t have too many pickles. Here are three reasons why:
1. Pickles are high in sodium
Sodium is an essential part of your dog’s diet. The high sodium content in pickles isn’t a significant issue for most healthy dogs.³ However, pickles may not be the best option for dogs with existing health conditions like high blood pressure.
According to ASPCA, pet owners shouldn’t feed their dogs extremely salty foods because the additional sodium can lead to excessive thirst and urination.⁴ Pickles may have lower doses of sodium than foods like chips or pretzels. Still, it’s important to monitor your dog’s daily sodium intake. Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s daily routine to ensure that you aren’t giving them more salt than necessary.
