Apparently, there are reasons to worry if your dog accidentally eats pickles. However, they are still healthy for your dog. How could this be? Feeding our dogs is sometimes a struggle, is it not? While we can always give them dog food, there are still times when we want them to enjoy the same food items we do. However, our four-legged friends do not share the same biological functions and reactions with us. This means that not everything that is edible and safe for us is also safe for our dogs to consume. Take chocolates for example.
So, for today’s topic serving all of our curious pet lovers out there, let us find out: can dogs eat pickles?
Can Dogs Eat Pickles?
Primarily, the truth is that dogs can eat pickles depending on how they are prepared prior consumption. Of course, it also matters how much pickles you feed your pet.
To give you further insight regarding the question, “can dogs eat pickles?” here is everything you need to know:
Toxic Ingredients
Before you give your dog some pickles to enjoy, make sure that they have not been prepared with potentially toxic ingredients. These usually include onions, salt, among others.
Onions make it on the top of the list of toxic food for dogs. They have high levels of thiosulfate, which can be fatal for our furballs upon leading to hemolytic anemia.
On the other hand, salt is not necessarily toxic for dogs. However, if your dog consumes too much salt, it can cause several problems. This is where moderating your dog’s pickle consumption comes in handy.
Like us, our pets need a certain amount of salt for nutrition every day. It is the primary source of sodium.
The thing is, pickles may contain enough or even so much more of our dog’s daily sodium needs. As a result, he or she may exceed the standard limit of his or her body. If your pet cannot tolerate this, he or she may suffer from hypernatremia.
Now, if your dog consumes high levels of salt regularly, it can affect his or her regular blood pressure. This weakens your furball’s cardiovascular (CV) health. Eventually, it can lead to a fatal heart attack.
Side Effects And Adverse Reactions
If, by accident, your pet eats pickles with onions and/or excessive salt, be mindful of the following symptoms:
| ONION CONSUMPTION | EXCESSIVE SALT CONSUMPTION |
| Dark-colored urine | Diarrhea |
| Diarrhea | Excessive thirst |
| Difficulty in breathing | High blood pressure |
| Vomiting | Seizures |
| Vomiting |
If you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to bring your dog to his or her veterinarian immediately. While there is no need to be alarmed at first, it still pays to be cautious.
Nonetheless, an excellent way to prevent this from happening would be to keep pickles away from your dog’s reach at all times.
Health Benefits of Eating Pickles
Pickles are rich in essential nutrients such as sodium, vitamin A, vitamin K, potassium, and phosphorus. They also contain low levels of iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin E.
| NUTRIENTS | BENEFITS |
| Vitamin C | It boosts the immune system. |
| Vitamin B6 | It helps in the metabolism of amino acids. |
| Vitamin E | It acts as a natural antioxidant, protecting cellular membranes. |
| Vitamin K | It promotes bone formation and supports normal blood clotting. |
| Vitamin A | It helps in cellular differentiation, morphogenesis, and transmembrane protein transfer; stimulates the immune system; and supports normal vision. |
| Riboflavin | It is a major component of various enzymes. |
| Magnesium | It supports CV, muscular, and nervous systems. |
| Folate | It aids in the metabolism of amino acids and nucleotides. |
| Phosphorus | It plays a significant role in metabolism and regulates acid-base balance. |
| Zinc | It aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. |
| Iron | It is a vital component of hemoglobin and myoglobin, helping transmit oxygen. |
| Sodium | It helps generate and transmit electrical impulses; and regulates acid-base balance and osmotic pressure. |
| Potassium | It aids muscular contractions; facilitates the transport of carbon dioxide and oxygen; helps in nerve impulse transmission, and regulates acid-base balance. |
How Can Dogs Eat Pickles?
Now, you might be wondering a follow-up question, “how can dogs eat pickles?” Here are your answers:
# Moderation
Question: “Can dogs eat pickles in moderation?”
Answer: Definitely. There is no harm in it; after all, pickles still have nutritional values that will benefit our dogs.
If there is anything we have learned in life so far, it is that anything in excess is not good. The same applies very well for our dogs, especially when it comes to the food they eat.
So, during the first time, give your dog a minimal amount. A bite may do. Then, observe him or her in the next couple of hours and days. If he or she does not exhibit any symptoms or behave differently, you can feed him or her some pickles moderately.
Since it is not highly recommended to feed your dog with pickles every day, you can serve it as a treat during your playtime. Not only can he or she enjoy something new every once in a while, he or she can also enjoy nutritional benefits from sources other than his or her regular meals.
# Preparation
Question: “Can dogs eat pickles that have been sweetened?”
Answer: Of course. In fact, they are better options than intensely spiced ones. Sweetened pickles contain more than 50% less sodium than regular pickles. However, of course, they have more sugar, which means that you cannot let your dog eat too much of them as well. As always, moderation is the key.
Question: “Can dogs eat pickles’ juice?”
Answer: It is not recommended for you to give your dog some pickles’ juice. It contains high levels of salt, vinegar, and many other spices. Consequently, it will do your dog more harm than good. In this case, the toxicity values outweigh the nutritional values relative to dogs.
So, when can dogs eat pickles’ juice? Well, if your dog is dehydrated, you can treat him or her with pickles’ juice as long as you dilute it heavily with water. If you are unsure about providing this remedy yourself, you can always take your dog to his or her vet.
Foods That Dogs Can’t Eat
Summary
There you have it, folks. Pickles are good for your dogs as long as they do not contain toxic ingredients. Also, you need to give your dogs a few bites first to make sure that they do not react adversely to pickles.
If your dogs eat pickles by accident and they suffer from certain symptoms, take them to their vets immediately.
Are there any food items you want to feed your dogs but hesitate because you are unsure whether they are safe for canine consumption or not? Tell us and let us discover the answers!
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REFERENCES
https://thehappypuppysite.com/can-dogs-have-pickles/
https://herepup.com/can-dogs-eat-pickles/