Are you a big fan of pickles? If that is a yes, you would start stressing why this treat is so good. When you take a bite, it is very crispy and the taste is so rich you definitely cannot resist. Of course, if your pets see you eating it, they would like to try it as well.
But, before you can give in to the temptation and feed your pet with pickles, you must remember that there are foods they cannot eat. You better ask from Mobile Dog Grooming professional or veterinarian.
So, where does pickles go in the list?
Is it Safe?
Pickles are actually safe for dogs to eat in small quantities and sizes, but this depends on how the pickles were made. If they are made with onions, you should definitely stray away from feeding your pet.
Onions are dangerous for dogs because it can trigger the development of Heinz bodies. Heinz bodies or hemoglobin clumps can disable the body in getting the right amount of oxygen it needs. The body’s red blood cells also die faster and triggers hemolytic anemia.
Scientists have long studied the causes of hemolytic anemia and they have concluded that it is fatal if it is not prevented. Anemia can reduce your dog’s appetite and increase their fatigue.
With regards to the spices used for making the pickles, you do not have to worry about it because dogs actually love their taste. However, be cautious when you see nutmeg in the list because it contains myristicin. Myristicin can cause stomach complications, vomiting and seizures depending on the amount ingested.
If the pickles you are eating lean towards the sweeter side, you must be very vigilant with its amount. Just like humans, it is important that sugar content is regulated because dogs can also develop diabetes and cavities. Using artificial sweeteners that have xylitol must be avoided because these are toxic to dogs.
If you like dill pickles, you should take note the amount of salt that it contains. Sadly, a medium jar of dill pickles already has 1,500 milligrams of salt. Dogs should only be given a maximum of 100 milligrams of salt every day because too much can lead in dehydration or seizures. As much as possible, try selecting the low-salt pickles and give only a few pieces to your pet.
What About Pickle Juice?
How about the pickle juice? Can you feed it to your dogs?
There is a growing buzz in recent months about apple cider vinegar having a lot of health benefits for dogs. However, while research has yet to prove that it is really beneficial, many pet owners and vets say it is very good for pets.
Pickle juice is mostly made out of white vinegar. However, white vinegar is not very healthy for dogs even in external applications. Vinegar has the capacity to induce pH imbalances and cause your dog’s coat to lose its luster.
Aside from this fact, white vinegar should not be ingested by dogs because it can cause stomach problems and diarrhea. It can also cause kidney stress for your pets and increase the amount of acid within their body.
Some people do say that pickle juice is ok for pets when they are recovering from dehydration. However, this should not be practiced because of the amount of sodium within the juice. It can affect them heavily and you must bring your pet to your vet for treatment.
Benefits of Pickles to Dogs?
Pickles – whether you feed your pets the sugary or salty variety – are actually quite good for your pets. Since it is made from cucumbers, feeding it to your pet will give them its vitamins that they need in their diet.
Cucumbers are packed with a lot of nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, phosphorus, magnesium and manganese. Magnesium in particular can help reduce heart complications for pets. If you feed your pet dill pickles, it can help reduce their bad breath and help reduce free-radicals from affecting the body.
Cucumbers also have low calories, making them an ideal snack for pets who need low calorie snacks. It is also high in fiber, which can help with digestion.
Preparing Pickles for Your Dogs
Since pickles do have health benefits for dogs to enjoy, it is time for you to know how to prepare it for your pet. Before you do so, ask your dog’s veterinarian regarding how much pickles you should prepare for your pet because their age, condition and preferences may affect their response to the snack.
Before feeding your pet pickles, you should rinse it off to reduce the amount of salt or sugar in its skin. Rinsing it off also reduces the amount of pickle juice that could enter your pet’s throat. You can then cut the pickles into small pieces so your pets don’t choke on it as they eat it.
Make sure to give your pets their pickled treats on rare occasions because their sodium content is very high. If they get used to it, it may be difficult to sort out their diets and cause high sodium build up in their body. You should also reduce the times you feed them pickles because of the fiber content of these cucumbers.
As an alternative, you can purchase unsalted or sweet pickles because it has less sodium content. Make sure to check the labels to determine how much salt and spices it has before purchasing them.
If you notice any side effects on your pet after they eat pickles, immediately stop feeding them and bring them to their vets.
Conclusion
Dogs will eat anything their owner would give them and owners would definitely consider this when thinking of a snack to give to them. However, as pet owners, it is important that we research what we can feed to our pets because not all food can be given to pets. Always check with your pet’s vet if you want to feed your pet something new, like pickles. Check out this researched article on Can Dogs Eat Asparagus?