Who doesn’t love cracking open a fresh jar of pickles?! Most home refrigerators have a jar of pickles on the go at any one time, ready to serve alongside our favorite cold meats. But can dogs eat pickles too, or are pickles toxic to dogs?
Can dogs eat pickles?
Pickles are not toxic to dogs, but they are packed full of ingredients that are not healthy for our dogs.
Most vegetables used for picking, such as dill cucumbers, are perfectly safe for dogs to eat in their raw state.
However, the liquid used for pickling is packed full of salt, sugar, spices, and other potentially harmful ingredients.
The biggest risk factor with pickles is the salt content, which can vastly increase your dog’s sodium intake. Dogs do not need much salt in their diets, and just one pickle can exceed the recommended daily amount for a small dog.
Some pickles also contain onion, garlic, and chili spices, all of which can be poisonous to dogs.
What are the signs of toxicity?
Most dogs will not show signs of illness from eating a pickle or two, but those with underlying medical conditions such as renal disease can quickly suffer from some unpleasant side effects.
This comes as a result of excessive salt intake and can lead to symptoms including:
- Increased thirst
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of balance
- Seizures
What to do if my dog ate pickles?
If your dog ate pickles, it is not necessarily a medical emergency. Monitor for any of the symptoms described above, and in the meantime ensure that your dog has access to clean, fresh drinking water at all times.
For dogs that suffer from medical problems such as renal disease, eating pickles can be more problematic. In this situation, it is advisable to contact your veterinarian for advice straight away.
Depending on the health status of your dog, they may simply suggest monitoring it closely for any symptoms listed above. If your dog is at high risk of dehydration, it may need to be admitted to the veterinary clinic to receive intravenous fluids.
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