Cucumber is a popular food among humans. It is nutrient rich and has a low cost. That’s why many Maltese owners feed cucumbers to their Maltese. But can you feed cucumbers to your Maltese?
The short answer is ‘’Yes’’, you can feed cucumbers to your Maltese. But there are lots of questions regarding this topic like: “Are cucumbers healthy for Maltese?”, “How to prepare cucumbers for Maltese?”, “Can my Maltese eat the peel of cucumber?”
In this blog post, I will answer every question regarding feeding cucumbers to your Maltese. Let’s start with the most common question:
Is cucumber safe for Maltese?
Yes, cucumber is safe for Maltese to eat. In fact, it’s actually a common ingredient in many Maltese food products. However, introduce it to your Maltese slowly (like with any new food) and make sure that you’re feeding them seedless and skinless cucumber. You can also chop the cucumber into small pieces to make it easier for them to eat.
If you’re introducing your Maltese to cucumber for the first time, keep an eye out for abnormal symptoms. Some Maltese can experience an adverse reaction or intolerance to cucumber (though this is rare). If you notice symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, or lethargy after eating cucumber, contact your vet.
Cucumbers are a great snack for Maltese! They contain antioxidants and vitamins which support a healthy immune system, help with digestion, and even act as anti-inflammatory agents. Cucumbers are also hydrating and low in calories—perfect for summer days or as a healthy alternative to high calorie treats!
Benefits of cucumber in Maltese
Cucumbers are an excellent source of nutrition for Maltese:
96% moisture—helps keep your Maltese hydrated, which contributes to the health of their skin and coat.
Fiber—aids digestion, helping to prevent constipation and maintain a healthy gut.
Vitamins—especially vitamins A, B1, B6, C, D, and K. These vitamins support your Maltese’s brain function, nervous system, and cardiovascular health.
Minerals—especially calcium and potassium. These minerals support your Maltese’s vision, muscle growth and strength, and kidney health.
Breath freshener—contains phytochemicals that act as natural breath fresheners in Maltese.
Do all Maltese like cucumbers?
Unfortunately, not all Maltese like cucumbers.
Your Maltese may not like the texture of a cucumber (especially if you are offering small pieces), but if you try big slices, they may like those more. Some Maltese can also be allergic to cucumbers, so if your Maltese has an allergic reaction after eating a little cucumber, contact your vet as soon as possible. As with any new food you offer your Maltese, it is best to consult with your veterinarian before introducing a new food to your Maltese’s diet.
Can my Maltese have cucumbers every day?
There’s no rule on how often Maltese can eat cucumbers. The important thing is that you limit their intake to the recommended portion size for their weight. As long as you’re doing that and you know your Maltese enjoys cucumbers, then there are no restrictions on how often you can feed them this treat.
That said, we do recommend varying the treats you give your Maltese because they can get bored with eating the same thing all the time, just like humans! Also, different treats contain different nutrients, so it’s a good idea to give your Maltese a variety of treats that each offer benefits to help keep them healthy and happy.
Can Maltese puppies eat cucumbers?
Yes, Maltese puppies can eat cucumbers as long as they’re over two months old. When a puppy is under two months old, he should be on a specialized puppy diet, which is usually sold at the pet store. Once he’s finished with his puppy food, you can start giving him small bites of cucumber once or twice a week.
Remember, puppies have a delicate digestive system and should not eat too much at once. It’s also a good idea to consult your vet before introducing any new foods to your puppy’s diet in case there are any special considerations for your Maltese’s breed or history.
How much cucumber can Maltese eat?
It depends on the age, size and activity level of your Maltese. For example, if you have a large Maltese that is very active, he/she can have more than a smaller pup that is older and less active. And as always, consult with your vet first for best serving sizes.
As a general rule of thumb, smaller pup breeds (under 20 lbs) can enjoy one or two pieces of cucumber. A larger pup breed (over 20 lbs) can have a few more pieces. It’s important to portion control your pup’s diet and treats. Start small and if there are no adverse effects, you can offer more.
Always follow the rule: Your Maltese need a completely balanced diet. Treats combinedly should not be over 10% of the total diet.
How to serve cucumbers to your Maltese?
If you want to feed your Maltese cucumbers, it’s important to check with your vet first. Depending on your Maltese’s health condition, the vet may advise against it or recommend some modifications to how you serve them (for example, if your Maltese has kidney disease).
Once you get the go-ahead from the vet and make sure you are only feeding organic cucumbers (to avoid pesticides), here are a few serving ideas:
- Serve small pieces of cucumber as training treats throughout the day.
- Add sliced or diced cucumbers to your Maltese’s regular food as a topping.
- Stuff cucumber slices with peanut butter or cheese and give it as a treat—no need to freeze!
- Freeze cucumber slices by themselves and give them as a summer treat.
When is cucumber bad for Maltese?
While cucumbers aren’t toxic or poisonous to Maltese, it’s also not recommended that you feed them to your canine.
Cucumbers can actually be very good for Maltese and offer several benefits: they contain vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, fiber, potassium, and magnesium. They’re low in calories and sugar, too.
But there are still some reasons not to give your Maltese cucumbers. If your Maltese has underlying health issues like diabetes or another condition, avoid giving them cucumbers.
Overindulgence is also not recommended—if your Maltese eats too many cucumbers, they might experience diarrhea or vomiting.
Finally, if the cucumber was grown inorganically, they have sprayed it with pesticides; this isn’t safe for humans to eat, so it’s definitely not safe for Maltese to eat.
Also, be cautious if the cucumber has seeds in it—they could cause diarrhea or intestinal blockage if consumed by your Maltese. And if it has skin on it, don’t let your Maltese eat that either—it could cause an upset stomach or stomach pain.
What happens when your Maltese eat too much cucumber?
Cucumbers are safe for our Maltese to eat, so long as they’re cut up into small pieces. However, if a Maltese eats too many cucumbers, they can experience some pretty uncomfortable side effects. Here’s what to look out for:
Abdominal pain: If the Maltese ate too many cucumbers, they might experience some stomach aches. This can manifest itself as restlessness and irritability. If left untreated, these symptoms could escalate into bloody diarrhea or vomiting.
Vomiting: If your Maltese vomits after eating too many cucumbers, it could be because of irritation of the stomach lining (which is very sensitive). You might notice that your Maltese is lethargic and may even experience internal bleeding sometimes.
Diarrhea: A lot of diarrhea can lead to dehydration and loss of electrolytes, which could be life-threatening if not treated appropriately. If you see signs of diarrhea after your Maltese eats too many cucumbers, take them to a veterinarian immediately.
Bloat: A Maltese’s stomach is at risk of twisting inside out when there’s too much gas in it. If this happens, it’s called bloat—and it can be fatal if left untreated.
What to do if your Maltese eat too much cucumber?
If your Maltese eat too much cucumber, we would recommend that you not panic. Just stop feeding them any cucumbers and get any remaining cucumbers out of their reach. You can also monitor your Maltese to see if they are showing any abnormal signs (e.g., vomiting or diarrhea). If they are, please contact your vet right away.
Can Maltese eat pickled cucumbers?
No, Maltese should not eat pickled cucumbers. Pickles are cucumbers that have been fermented in a solution of salt and water with spices, garlic, or onions (or some combination of them). This can be toxic to your Maltese, because garlic and onions are toxic to Maltese.
If you want to share the health benefits of cucumbers with your Maltese, give it fresh cucumbers instead.
Other human foods Maltese can eat
What other human foods can Maltese eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Maltese can eat.
So, can Maltese eat cucumbers?
The short answer is: yes, Maltese can eat cucumbers. Cucumbers have a ton of great health benefits for Maltese, and most Maltese love the sweet flavor and crunchy texture.
But, like all human foods, cucumbers aren’t meant to be your Maltese’s primary diet. Too many cucumbers can lead to diarrhea and other unpleasant symptoms. Cucumbers are best given as an occasional treat.
So why do we bring this up? Well, cucumbers make the perfect treat for your Maltese if you’re looking for a low-calorie option that’s loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber (as well as water).
You should remove cucumber seeds before feeding them to your Maltese because they contain small amounts of toxic compounds. Peels should also be removed—not only can they cause choking if swallowed whole by your Maltese, but they’re also difficult for them to break down in their digestive tracts.
And be sure to follow the 90/10 rule: only 10% of your Maltese’s daily calories should come from treats; the rest should be from their regular food.