table of contents
- Positive ingredients
- Toxic ingredients
- Symptoms of poisoning
- Intensity of toxicity
- Edible varieties
- Consumption recommendation
- frequently asked Questions
The nutrition of dogs is increasingly evolving away from the finished products. High-quality fruit and vegetables, including cucumber, are increasingly on the menu for many four-legged friends.
In a nutshell
- basically not toxic
- very low in calories and suitable as a light food
- rich in important minerals
- own pre-tasting recommended
- Note the proportion of bitter substances in the variety
Positive ingredients
The cucumber contains many essential ingredients that are important for the functionality of the body. In particular, the consumption of the pulp is generally harmless for dogs.
Around 95% of the cucumber consists of water and is therefore ideal for replenishing the body's own fluid reservoir. In addition, the cucumber also contains a large number of the important A, B, C and E vitamins as well as antioxidants.
Other minerals contained in the cucumber are:
- potassium
- zinc
- iron
- magnesium
- Calcium
The minerals and vitamins it contains are primarily used to stimulate and cleanse the digestion and strengthen it of the immune system is of great importance and should therefore be integrated into the menu at an appropriate level on a daily basis will.
Toxic ingredients
The ingredients that should only be taken in moderation include bitter substances. Excessive intake therefore leads to a wide range of reactions from the entire body system. Fortunately, a high concentration of bitter substances can be easily recognized by the taste of the fruit. If the proportion is excessive and therefore harmful to health, it tastes very bitter and is therefore inedible for both humans and dogs.
The cucurbitacins are mainly in the shell and the kernels of Cucumber so that they should be removed before consumption to make it easier to digest and to reduce any negative symptoms.
Symptoms of poisoning
Ingesting a large amount of bitter substances leads to symptoms of intoxication in the body. The symptoms can range from increased salivation to paralysis. Other symptoms are:
- Vomit
- diarrhea
- Disorientation
- apathy
If your dog experiences these symptoms, see a veterinarian as soon as possible for further treatment of the symptoms.
Intensity of toxicity
The strength of the toxic effect correlates with the proportion of bitter substances contained in the cucumber. The bitter substances in cucumber arise exclusively from stress reactions to which the plant is exposed.
These include:
- cold
- heavy rain
- dryness
- poor quality seeds
Edible varieties
Basically, the cucumbers are divided into the groups of salad and snake cucumbers as well as pickled and pickled cucumbers. The salad and snake cucumbers are characterized by their long and narrow shape. Pickled and pickled cucumbers, on the other hand, tend to be shorter in length and thicker in shape. With regard to the essential ingredients, there are only minor differences between the species. In general, you can feed both genera raw without hesitation.
By placing vegetables in them, they are enriched with various spices as well as vinegar and oil, which are unsuitable for the dog as food. These include mustard seeds, garlic and sugar, which is why pickled cucumbers, regardless of the variety, should not be fed to dogs.
Note: The bitter cucumbers are a specialty, although they belong to the pickling cucumbers, but already naturally have a higher concentration of bitter substances. Therefore this should Variety of cucumber generally not on a dog's menu.
Consumption recommendation
Pieces of peeled and pitted cucumber are a maximum of two to three centimeters in size and are particularly ideal for feeding. With larger cuts, there is a risk of swallowing, especially with hasty eaters, which in turn can lead to stomach and intestinal problems and shortness of breath. The pickled and pickled cucumbers often contain much less well-tolerated fear meat, so that the gift of these has not proven itself in practice.
Even if the cucumber impresses with its positive ingredients, it is one of the treats and should therefore not make up more than 10% of the daily diet. The remaining 90% should consist of animal components in order to ensure a species-appropriate, protein-rich feeding.
Tip: When it comes to barf, the cucumber is an ideal basis for many cooked dishes due to its high water content. In combination with rice, quark or meat, nutritious and low-calorie food can be prepared especially for overweight animals.
frequently asked Questions
The cucumbers you buy usually contain significantly less bitter substances than the home-grown ones. Essentially, this results from the industrially optimally coordinated breeding and growth processes, which lead to less stress on the individual plants.
Sick or already severely weakened dogs should, if possible, not be given cucumbers as food, but rather more protein-rich food.
The domestic vegetable world provides many other types that are much more tolerable than cucumbers. In addition to all types of lettuce, this also includes carrots, kohlrabi and beetroot. These can be fed raw without hesitation, although the amount should not exceed the aforementioned maximum limit of 10%.
