If you are a pet parent to a dog you would know that dogs have a knack for munching on everything, including pickles. In the world of dogs, it simply isn’t possible that they don’t get their lovely little beak into everything edible, and sometimes even that is not. Subsequently, not too surprisingly, dog owners are experts on matters regarding bird appetite and which foods are suitable for them to be fed. Likewise, you too are on the path of acquiring such expertise, at present, regarding pickles. And because we are exceptionally glad that you are allowing us to become a part of your journey with your dog, we will try our best to deliver you all that we know.
Let us start by admitting that raising a healthy dog can be arduous at times because of their nosy nature and taste buds aching for a variety of flavors. There will be times when you will need to put a foot down and be the bad guy, but it is all for the welfare of the colorful little fellow. It is essential to remember that your pet dog is dependent on you to fulfill its dietary needs rightfully and so you will need to be twice as cautious when it comes to choosing what the tiny fellow gets to work its beak over.
Having put that out there, let’s see if pickles are the perfect side dish or treat for your dog.
What Are Pickles and What Are They Made Up of?
As all of us are priorly aware, pickles are cucumbers that have been left for fermentation over some time. However, unlike the common impression (of those who do not interest in sour foods) there are various other types of pickles such as dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, and sweet pickles, etc. The greenish-yellow treat conventionally has a taste that is sour and saltish which is one of the many reasons why dogs (particularly greys) find themselves oddly attracted to their taste. Love at first taste!
Moreover, to put it simply, to make the sour and crispy delight, cucumbers after being picked and washed thoroughly are soaked into pre-prepared solutions. This solution is mostly prepared of; water and vinegar (making up the most part), vinegar, salt, and in some cases, spices.
What Health Benefits Do Pickles Have to Offer?
Needless to say, there are countless health benefits of eating pickles so it wouldn’t be false to say that the flavor they bring is only a bonus for the consumer. First and foremostly, pickles almost have a negligible quantity of fats making them the perfect sweetish sour addition to your subway sandwich. And as if that wasn’t already enough, cucumber pickles also contain vitamins such as Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, and potassium.
All of these included make up a vegetable that not only has a savory taste but also fights health-related issues and brings bodily wellness like;
- Improving digestion
- Lowers chances of respiratory and cardiac diseases
- Strengthens immunity system
- Improves the working of eye muscles (betters’ vision).
Having discussed all of this, there is only one question still left standing; can your precious birdie also relish on pickles along with you?
Is It Safe for dogs to Eat Pickles?
Now that we have gone over all that we needed to know and are on the same page, let’s get to the bottom of this question.
Pickles might not be the safest treatment for your dog to eat while it is true that the fermented vegetable is ultimately prepared out of cucumbers which are considered to be healthy for dogs and other birds. Nevertheless, the process in between is what makes all the difference. Most of all, the excess usage of salt in the preservation of pickles can build grounds for grave health circumstances for your dog.
Be that as it may, there is no reason for you to worry about the fact that the bird will be deprived of all the advantages pickles bring within themselves. Why is that so? This is for the reason that the bodily requirements of humans vastly differ from that of a dog. Not only are their requirements very minimal in comparison to us but some of them are absent. Therefore, to conclude, we suggest that you opt for other healthier alternatives for your dog and refrain from peeking inside a bottle of pickles in your absence.
dogs and Salt; Why Are They Two Worlds Apart?
As we mentioned above, salt can prove to be unfavorable to your dog because of its toxic nature. Surplus consumption of sugar can be harmful to us as well. But as far as birds are concerned, even a small amount of salt (i.e., a saltish pretzel) over a continuous period greatly upsets and brings a disbalance in the body of your pet. In extreme cases, it can cause fatal health conditions to arise starting from excessive thirst, dehydration, and ultimately kidney failure.
Understanding the unlimited compassion you have for your bird’s best friend; we know you wouldn’t take such a risk that puts its life at stake. Accordingly, we have prepared a list of vegetables as well as fruits that you can interest the adventurous fellow in;
- Mangos
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Papaya
- Bananas
- Grapes
What Should You Do If Your dog Ate Pickles?
First and foremost, take a deep breath and calm down, your birdie is going to be okay. Fortunately, as animal experts and dog owners suggest, there are rarely any reported cases of dogs falling solemnly sick. If the bird simply nipped at a pickle, there is nothing you have to worry about other than hiding the pickle jar better. On the contrary, if you feed it a significant number of pickles before surfing the web and you observe any red flag in the bird’s behavior, call a vet as soon as possible.
Some symptoms you can observe are;
- Extreme thirst level
- Lethargic ness
- Reduced appetite
- Vomiting (in rare cases)
- Weakness.