We will go deep into the details about potential benefits and dangers. Let’s just say there are some things that humans eat that you can feed dogs as well (and some things you can’t). Where do pickles fit? Let’s answer this question and more right now.
To start, pickles are not toxic to dogs. Indeed they might be the best treat of choice. If you think that will be enough information that says “go ahead and feed your dog pickles”, not so fast. There are different types of pickles that contain high levels of sodium, vinegar, and spices. With that in mind, it can be detrimental to your dog’s overall health and digestion. Not to mention, some pickles can also contain ingredients that are harmful and even toxic to dogs such as onions and garlic.
What Are the Risks of Feeding Pickles to Dogs?
This is where you will need to stop and think for a moment before feeding pickles to dogs. More importantly, there are risks that you need to be aware of and why you should take them seriously. Let’s take a look at the following common risks that exist for feeding pickles to dogs:
- High sodium content: Pickles will often be soaking in brine. If there is one obvious attribute for brine, it’s that it has a very high amount of salt. Meaning the amount of sodium your dog could take in will be much higher than necessary. If sodium intake is excessive, your dog will be at risk for numerous health issues including dehydration, high blood pressure, and even sodium poisoning. The same applies to other salty foods that won't be as healthy for your furry friend.
- Harmful spices and additives: It should be noted that reading the ingredients on the pickle jar will save your dog the grief of dealing with adverse health issues. One of the other reasons why is that some pickles can contain harmful spices and additives. They include but are not limited to garlic, onions, or spicy seasonings - all of which are dangerous for dogs. Dill or mustard seeds may seem mild on paper, but they can cause stomach irritation for dogs as well.
- Vinegar acidity: Pickles will also be sitting in vinegar as well - giving them that “pickling” effect. Vinegar can cause your dog’s digestion to get upset. Even if your dog has a digestive system that already acts up at times, vinegar will exacerbate it. Instead, give them something like Under The Weather’s Probiotic Soft Chews for Dogs that will give them the superior digestion support they need most. Sometimes, it’s just easier for dogs to not have pickles for such reasons.
Can Dogs Eat Different Types of Pickles?
Obviously, not all pickles are the same. Thus, it is important to determine which type will be best for dogs. It starts with knowing the common types and some important information that will help you decide if it’s good for dogs or not. Here’s a look at the following types of pickles:
Dill Pickles
The most common variety of pickles, dill pickles won’t usually contain harmful ingredients. However, they are high in sodium, meaning they won’t be typically safe for dogs to feed them on a regular basis. On occasions, you could give them a small slice but not as a regular treat. Instead, consider giving them regular treats such as Under The Weather’s soft chews including Collagen Chews for Dogs that will help with their overall health including boosted immunity, healthy joints, and excellent digestive support.
Bread and Butter Pickles
These types of pickles should not be given to dogs altogether. The chief reasons why include the amount of added sugar and spices. Extra sugar can lead to weight gain while the spices threaten their digestive system. Also, it might also be possible that it can contain other ingredients that may be harmful to dogs. For such reasons, avoid feeding this type of pickle to them.
Sweet Pickles
This is another kind of pickle that shouldn’t be given to dogs period. The details we will share might surprise you. At the outset, sweet pickles contain added sugars that can lead to weight gain. However, some brands will use artificial sweeteners. One of them is xylitol, which is notorious for not only being toxic to dogs, but it can also be fatal. This is one more sobering reason why reading the ingredient labels on the pickle jar is something you should not skip doing if you are at least entertaining the idea of feeding your dog pickles. If you catch any toxic ingredients on the list, then those pickles are out of the question when it comes to a snack for dogs.
Spicy or Garlic Pickles
These are another kind of pickles that dogs should avoid as well. It’s these types of pickles in particular that contain garlic, onions, chili, and other hot spices. Needless to say, these harmful ingredients will likely cause severe health problems. Therefore, do not feed your dogs pickles like this.
The final verdict is that of all the types of pickles, the only type in particular that can only be fed to dogs are dill pickles - albeit in a very small portion and on an occasional basis because of the salt content. Even though the sodium content is quite high, they will most likely not contain any other additional ingredients. However, don’t overlook the idea of double-checking the label for any other ingredients that might be harmful or toxic to dogs.
What Are Some Alternatives to Pickles?
Of course, there is always the idea of not feeding your dog pickles at all. You can choose some of these excellent crunchy alternatives that are safe for them. They include but are not limited to the following:
- Fresh cucumbers: Plain raw cucumbers have an added benefit of providing hydration for your dog because of the amount of water content it has. Nevertheless, dogs will enjoy something crunchy and healthy. After all, pickles are actually pickled versions of this very vegetable. Crazy, right? Cucumbers are basically a plain pickle.
- Carrots: They contain numerous vitamins and minerals that can help your dog. They are crunchy and healthy for them as well. In fact, they are one of the many superfoods that are great for your dog. Specifically, they are getting loads of antioxidants, beta-carotene for their skin and coat health, and more. We should also mention that if you are feeding your dog carrots, make sure they are chopped up into small pieces (even if they are baby carrots). This will not only help them absorb the nutrients faster, but it can also reduce choking risks as well.
- Sliced apples: They have just the right kind of sweetness. And they are also packed with vitamins and minerals that will support their overall health. The best part is feeding them raw with the skin intact. However, it is important to make sure that you never feed both the apple seeds or the core to your dog. Surprisingly, apple seeds could contain cyanide, which can be toxic or even fatal to dogs. When chopping up apples, make sure you remove the seeds accordingly and chop it up into small pieces. These are just one of a handful of fruits that you can allow to feed your dog.
- Sweet potatoes: This will be an excellent alternative for dogs who need fiber in their diet for better stool consistency. We also include this in our bland diet program to help sick pets get a healthy diet while recovering. Sweet potato has beta-carotene that will be excellent for a dog’s skin and fur. Before feeding sweet potatoes to dogs, make sure they are cut into cubes and boiled for that soft texture.
- Spinach: Some humans might hate it. But for those that do, this is the perfect alternative to share with your dog. That’s because it is an excellent source for minerals like iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium. On top of that, they have an excellent amount of antioxidants. Spinach for dogs is best served when steamed, blanched, or shredded raw. It might also be wise to get fresh spinach as opposed to canned. The reason is that spinach may contain water that has a high sodium level used for preservation purposes. Further proving that fresh will most likely be a better alternative than canned because of the lack of excess sodium.
Final Thoughts
Dogs should not eat most pickles. If there is one in particular that they are allowed to eat occasionally, dill pickles may be the best option. However, you don’t have to feed them pickles if you don’t want to. There are all kinds of healthier options on the menu that both you and your dog can share.
You can also provide your dog with more health support through Under The Weather and our line of foods, chews, and supplements. It’s your dog’s health, make sure that it is the best possible. Check out what we have in stock right now.
