Dogs Can Eat Cucumbers, But Can Dogs Eat Pickles?

Crunchy, sour, sweet, salty, spicy–pickles are everything a savory snack lover could ever want! Add them to a charcuterie board, enjoy them on a sandwich, or just eat straight out of the jar. Pickles are so popular there are entire festivals dedicated to them, and people from every part of the world enjoy pickles with their traditional dishes. 

But, of course, as dog lovers, we’re wondering: can dogs eat pickles? 

Are Pickles Safe for Dogs? 

Pickles are typically made from cucumbers in vinegar and salt brine, often with other ingredients to add extra flavor. While none of these base ingredients are toxic to dogs, pickles aren’t a good treat to give your dog because of their high sodium content, and the potential stomach ache they could cause. With the addition of extra flavoring ingredients like mustard and garlic, pickles become even more potentially irritating to your dog’s stomach, and in general, should be avoided. 

So, yes, pickles are safe for dogs in that they won’t cause toxicity or extreme illness (unless some extraordinary or extreme ingredient has been included) but no, pickles are not safe for dogs in that they can make them feel pretty sick. 

If you’re still looking for a straightforward answer to “can dogs eat pickles?” the answer is: It’s better if they don’t, but one won’t hurt them!

Common Pickle Ingredients

When determining whether or not something is safe for your dog, it’s important to look beyond the visible ingredients to the hidden ingredients like spices and seasonings. Many spices are toxic to dogs and should be avoided to protect your pet from stomach upset or more serious health issues. 

While there are a number of common ingredients in pickles that are considered toxic or harmful to dogs, none of them will cause serious issues if your dog ingests a small amount in the form of a slice of pickle, or even a whole pickle.

Ingredient	Is it safe for dogs?	Quick Facts
Celery Seed	Yes!	Celery seed is sometimes recommended as a healthy source of antioxidants for dogs!
Cucumbers	Yes!	Cucumbers are a healthy, low-calorie, hydrating snack for dogs who like to crunch.
Dill	Yes!	Like celery seed, dill is a safe source of antioxidants for dogs in small quantities.
Garlic	NO!	Garlic, like all members of the allium genus, is toxic to dogs in moderate quantities, and gastrointestinally disruptive in small quantities.
Mustard Seed	NO!	Mustard seeds contain isothiocyanate, an irritant used by plants to repel pests. While it’s unlikely to cause toxicosis in small amounts, mustard can still upset your dog’s stomach.
Red Pepper Flakes	NO!	Red pepper flakes contain capsaicin, the compound responsible for the “burning” sensation you get after eating a hot pepper. Dogs have a very low tolerance to capsaicin, and spicy foods in any amount can cause gastrointestinal issues.
Salt	Sort of	Dogs need sodium for proper cellular function, but they only need a very small amount. Dogs get all of their salt needs from their regular diet, and added salt in human foods is way too much for the canine diet.  In general, avoid giving your dog salty foods, since too much salt can make them sick, and cause long-term issues if it becomes habitual.
Sugar	Sort of	The natural sugars found in fresh fruits won’t hurt your dog in moderation, but processed sugars (like granular sugar and brown sugar) aren’t good for them.  While a small amount of processed sugar every now and then is okay for your pup, don’t allow it to become a habit, and avoid giving them extremely sugary foods like candy, cake, or cookies.
White/Apple Cider Vinegar	Sort of	A very small amount of vinegar is totally safe for your dog, which is why it’s a common choice for natural household cleaners in homes with pets. However, if your dog eats or drinks a moderate to large amount of vinegar, they will likely experience vomiting, diarrhea, gas, bloating, etc.  Some dog owners add very small amounts of vinegar to their dog’s food as a health supplement, but this is something you should discuss with your vet first.

Spicy and hot pickles are by far the most important to avoid since they can have immediate effects on your dog’s comfort, and lingering effects during potty breaks, if you know what we mean. 

What About Other Kinds of Pickles? 

There are so many pickles out there from so many different cultures that it would be nearly impossible for us to include them all, so we’re listing the pickles you’ll commonly find on your grocery store shelves, or are popular enough to warrant a mention. 

Type of Pickle	Safe for Dogs?	Potentially Harmful Ingredients
Dill Pickles	No, but not toxic	Garlic, Mustard, Red Pepper Flake, Salt, Sugar, Vinegar
Bread & Butter Pickles	No, but not toxic	Onion, Salt, Sugar, Vinegar
Gherkins/Cornichons	No, but not toxic	Garlic, Mustard, Salt, Vinegar
Hot Pickles	No, but not toxic	Chili, Garlic, Mustard, Red Pepper Flake, Salt, Sugar, Vinegar
Kool-Aid Pickles	No, but not toxic	Garlic, Mustard, Kool-Aid, Red Pepper Flake, Salt, Sugar, Vinegar
Kosher Pickles	No, but not toxic	Garlic, Kosher Salt, Vinegar
Lime Pickles	NO!	Pickling lime/hydrated lime–a chemical used in place of vinegar. May be toxic and dangerous to dogs in moderate quantities.
Olives	No, but not toxic	Olive Pits, Salt, Vinegar
Pickled Beets	No, but not toxic	Clove, Mustard, Vinegar
Pickled Eggs	No, but not toxic	Garlic, Salt, Vinegar
Pickled Onion	NO!	Onion is part of the same genus as garlic and is toxic to dogs.
Sauerkraut	In moderation	Mustard, Salt
Sour Pickles	No, but not toxic	Garlic, Mustard, Pickling Salt, Red Pepper Flake, Sugar

Most vinegar-based pickles aren’t going to send your dog to the vet, but they could send them to the bathroom a couple of times in a row. It’s also important to remember that while these ingredients aren’t toxic in small quantities, feeding your dog pickles regularly could impact their overall health, especially with the additional salt and sugar. 

Nutritional Value of Pickles

The nutritional value humans get from eating pickled foods is mostly lost on dogs, and the potential issues with the majority of the seasoning ingredients would negate those benefits, anyway. If you’re looking for a reason to feed your dog pickles, you won’t find it in their nutritional needs. 

If you want to feed your dog a crunchy vegetable treat every once in a while, a plain cucumber piece is a great (and totally healthy) substitute for the salty, vinegary pickle. 

Can Dogs Eat Pickles? The FAQ

If all that information is making you feel like you’re pickled, here are some fast facts about dogs and pickles.

Can Dogs Eat Dill Pickles? 

Dogs should not eat dill pickles but if they eat one or two on accident, they will be fine. Look out for possible diarrhea or vomiting. 

Can Dogs Eat Bread & Butter Pickles? 

It’s better to avoid letting dogs eat bread and butter pickles but one or two will not cause serious problems. 

Can Dogs Eat Spicy Pickles? 

No! Spicy foods of any kind should always be kept away from dogs since they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, serious gastrointestinal distress, and general discomfort. 

What Should I Do If My Dog Eats a Pickle? 

If your dog eats a regular salty, vinegar brine pickle, they will be totally fine. At worst, they might experience some gastrointestinal issues, but as long as this doesn’t become a habit your dog will be completely fine.

Learn more about what dogs can and can’t eat in this blog about peppers! 

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Written by: Hannah Godfrey
Animal Nutritionist
BSc.H. | MSc. Animal Nutrition
www.tomandsawyer.com

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