Is It Safe To Feed My Dog Pickles?

You may have considered sharing pickles with your dog if you enjoy them. However, as a responsible dog parent, it's important to find out whether they are safe for dogs first. Interestingly, there isn't a definite answer to whether pickles are good for dogs.

Pickles are not necessarily harmful to dogs. However, because they have high sodium content and some ingredients used could be potentially toxic to dogs, veterinarians advise against feeding them.

"Although pickles contain vitamins and minerals beneficial to us, the negative aspects far outweigh the benefits for a dog," says Dr. Carly Fox, Senior Veterinarian, Emergency and Urgent Care at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center of New York City. "Overall, they aren't a great choice to feed your dog."

Pickles have a high sodium content thanks to the use of salt-water brine. While sodium is among the important nutrients dogs need in their diet, an excess amount can cause severe health damages. Since sodium is already included in your dog's diet, anything additional is unnecessary and potentially harmful.

Spices used to make pickles that are dangerous to dogs include onions, garlic, and chili pepper. While it is unlikely that pickles contain an amount of these spices that can harm dogs, it is best to avoid them generally.

If you must feed your dog pickles, please do it in moderation and occasionally. Alternatively, you can opt for plain cucumbers since they contain the same nutrients as pickles without posing any risk.