Cucumbers are a popular food among humans, and for good reason. They’re nutrient-rich, low calorie, and cheap. That’s why so many Yorkshire Terrier owners want to know: can you feed cucumbers to your Yorkies?
The short answer is yes! You can feed cucumbers to your Yorkies, but there are lots of questions surrounding how to do it right. Today we’ll answer every question regarding feeding your pup this tasty treat.
Let’s start with the most basic question:
Is cucumber safe for Yorkies?
Cucumber is safe for Yorkies to eat, but it is better not to feed too much of it at once. In fact, slowly introduce any new food, and cucumbers are no different. It is best to start with tiny amounts of cucumber. Also, skinless and seedless cucumbers are a better option because they can cause stomach upset in your Yorkshire Terrier if ingested whole.
Even though cucumbers are safe for Yorkies, it’s important to watch for any signs of a food intolerance or allergic reaction in your Yorkshire Terrier if you are feeding them for the first time. Although rare, some Yorkies may have food allergies that can lead to vomiting and diarrhea after eating cucumber. If you observe any abnormal symptoms like this, stop feeding your Yorkshire Terrier cucumber immediately.
Benefits of cucumber in Yorkies
96% moisture: Cucumbers are high in water, which can help your Yorkshire Terrier stay hydrated.
Fiber: Cucumbers contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, which can aid in digestion and help your pet to feel full.
Vitamins: Cucumbers contain vitamins B1, B5, and K, which are linked to improved brain function, a healthy heart, and blood clotting. They also contain vitamin A, which is important for maintaining healthy skin and coat.
Minerals: Cucumbers are rich in minerals such as magnesium and potassium, which can help with muscular movement, cell growth and repair, and nervous system function. They also contain manganese and silica. Manganese is commonly found in the bones of Yorkies (and humans), so it might be a good idea to make sure your pet gets enough through their food. Silica is important for joints and connective tissue—plus it gives you stronger nails!
Breath freshener: Cucumbers contain phytochemicals that can aid in reducing halitosis (bad breath).
Do all Yorkies like cucumbers?
Unfortunately, not all Yorkies like cucumbers. Your Yorkies may not like the texture or flavor of cucumber, or they could be allergic to it. If you’re not sure if your Yorkshire Terrier likes cucumbers, don’t force it! Instead, try other vegetables that are good for Yorkies such as carrots, celery and green beans. For more information on what vegetables are safe for your Yorkshire Terrier to eat, consult with your vet before introducing a new food to their diet.
Can my Yorkies have cucumbers every day?
You can feed your Yorkies cucumbers every day if they like them, and they will eat the recommended amount. We do recommend varying the treats you give your Yorkies, though. Yorkies can get bored with the same thing every day, even if it’s something they like.
Also, different treats contain different nutrients, so when you vary the treats your Yorkies eat, it’ll help keep them healthy and well-rounded.
Can Yorkshire Terrier puppies eat cucumbers?
Yes, Yorkshire Terrier puppies can eat cucumbers. However, wait until they are a couple of months old before introducing them to solid foods. Puppies have such delicate digestive systems that even something as healthy as a cucumber could cause discomfort. And, because they need so much extra nutrition and calories during their first few months of life (to fuel all that growing!), puppies should eat a specialized puppy diet made just for them.
Once your puppy is past the two-month mark and is thriving on his specially planned puppy food, it will be safe to give him small bites of cucumber. Do this only once or twice a week at first, and then gradually increase the frequency if he shows no signs of stomach upset. For example, you can try adding some chopped cucumber to his Yorkshire Terrier food, or giving him a few slices in his Kong or chew toy for him to work on throughout the day.
Also, keep in mind that Yorkies do not need vegetables in their diet. If your pup doesn’t like cucumbers, don’t force it—there are plenty of other fun ways to bond with your pup and keep him happy and healthy.
How much cucumber can Yorkies eat?
It’s a common question, and the answer is: It depends.
The serving size for cucumbers—or any treat, really—depends on the age, size and activity level of your Yorkshire Terrier. The first thing you should do is consult with your vet to find out what they recommend.
But as a general rule of thumb, smaller pup breeds like Yorkies can have one or two pieces of a cucumber. Always keep in mind that portion control is important for your Yorkshire Terrier’s diet, with treats included. So start small and see how much your pup enjoys those crunchy cucumbers before you offer them more.
No matter how old or large your pup is, remember that your Yorkshire Terrier needs a completely balanced diet. All treats combined should not be over 10% of their total caloric intake.
How to serve cucumbers to your Yorkies?
Yorkies seem to love cucumbers. But you should always check with your vet before introducing new foods into your Yorkshire Terrier’s diet—especially human food like cucumbers.
Once you’ve got the green light, make sure you’re only feeding organic cucumbers, since they’re less likely to be treated with chemicals that could harm your Yorkshire Terrier. It’s also important to wash them thoroughly before cutting them up and serving them to Fido.
Now that you’re ready to feed your Yorkshire Terrier cucumbers, here are some ways you can try it:
– Small pieces of cucumber as training treats: Some Yorkies will do just about anything for a tasty treat, so why not use small pieces of cucumber as a training reward?
– Top regular food: You can also try dicing some up and sprinkling it over your Yorkshire Terrier’s kibble—just make sure it’s not too much or too often.
– Stuff cucumber slices with peanut butter or cheese: A lot of Yorkies like peanut butter, so try stuffing a sliced cucumber with peanut butter and freezing it for an extra treat! Just remember that peanut butter is high in fat, so don’t give this one every day.
– Frozen summer treat: You can also just freeze some cucumber slices for a refreshing summer snack.
When is cucumber bad for Yorkies?
We generally consider cucumber a healthy food for Yorkies, but there are some situations in which it’s better to skip the cucumber sticks.
If your Yorkshire Terrier has any kind of underlying health issue, such as an allergy, it may exacerbate their symptoms, so even a small amount can be dangerous. You should also check with your vet before giving your Yorkshire Terrier cucumber if they are pregnant or nursing.
It’s important to avoid overindulgence: cucumbers might seem like a harmless treat, but too much of anything can be bad for you! Your Yorkshire Terrier’s digestive system isn’t designed to handle the same foods humans eat. It may not respond well to eating cucumbers in large quantities.
The safest way to feed cucumbers to your Yorkshire Terrier is by peeling them first. It’s also best to only feed them the flesh of the cucumber and not the skin or seeds. These can cause digestive problems for your Yorkshire Terrier. Cucumber seeds can also contain cyanide, which is toxic for both humans and Yorkies.
What happens when your Yorkies eat too much cucumber?
While cucumbers are safe for Yorkies to eat, there are some symptoms to watch out for if your Yorkshire Terrier eats too many.
Abdominal pain: You may notice that your Yorkshire Terrier is shivering and seems uncomfortable. If you notice these signs, call your vet immediately.
Vomiting: Your Yorkshire Terrier might vomit after eating a large amount of cucumbers, which can mean they’re trying to expel all the cucumbers from their system.
Diarrhea: This is another sign that your Yorkshire Terrier has eaten too many cucumbers. Monitor this and, if it persists, call your vet to ensure it’s not something more serious.
Bloat: This dangerous condition can happen when your Yorkshire Terrier eats too much food in one sitting—including cucumbers! Watch for signs like abdominal distention and restlessness, and call your vet right away if you think this might be the case.
Choking hazard: Although rare, cucumbers can be a choking hazard, especially for Yorkies who gulp their food down without chewing it! Make sure you cut up any treats or food you give them into small pieces to avoid this problem.
What to do if your Yorkies eat too much cucumber?
There’s no need to panic.
While cucumbers are okay for Yorkies to eat, it is still better to stop feeding the cucumber and get any remaining pieces away from them if you suspect they have eaten too much.
Since cucumbers are high in fiber, your Yorkshire Terrier may experience diarrhea or other digestive problems if they eat too much of it. If you see any signs that your Yorkies are having an upset stomach, such as vomiting or diarrhea, it is best to contact your vet right away.
Can Yorkies eat pickled cucumbers?
We would never recommend feeding your Yorkshire Terrier pickled cucumbers. They may have been fermented, so the cucumber is submerged in salt or vinegar and allowed to sit for several days. This can lead to the development of salts, spices, and ingredients like garlic or onions in the pickle—all of which are toxic to Yorkies.
In addition, while they may be low in calories, it’s possible that they processed the pickles with other foods, most likely meats and cheeses, which can spell trouble for your pup’s stomach.
Instead of pickles, we suggest sticking with fresh cucumbers, as they’re lower in sodium and a great source of potassium and vitamin C. Just make sure you’re monitoring how much your Yorkshire Terrier is eating—cucumbers are mostly water (around 96%) so if you feed too many at once you might clean up a mess.
Other human foods Yorkies can eat
What other human foods can Yorkies eat? Here is a list of some other human foods your Yorkies can eat.
So, can Yorkies eat cucumbers?
Yes, Yorkies can eat cucumbers. Cucumbers are rich in moisture, vitamins A and C, as well as potassium, magnesium, and fiber, making it an excellent treat for Yorkies. Of course, you should never overfeed your Yorkshire Terrier any type of food, but cucumbers make for a tasty and healthy treat. Just remove the seeds and the outer skin from the cucumber before giving it to your pooch! The 90/10 rule also applies here: 10% of a Yorkshire Terrier’s diet should be treats—and that includes cucumbers—so make sure you’re not feeding Fido too many cucumbers or too much of anything else.