Can Cats Eat Cucumbers? (Everything You Need to Know)

Cats are usually fussy eaters, and because they are strictly carnivores in the wild, it might be strange to see your feline friend try new options. Some foods are unsafe for your kitty but can cats eat cucumbers?

Cats can safely eat cucumbers in limited quantities. Cucumbers are naturally hydrating and contain 95% water. Cucumbers contain essential minerals and vitamins like Vit K, preventing blood clots and supporting the liver. Magnesium, copper, and molybdenum are abundant in cucumber.

There are many videos online where cats get jumpscares induced by an innocent cucumber, much to millions of people’s amusement, but not many show cats eat fruits like cucumbers, so let’s explore how safe it is.

Can Cats Eat Cucumbers?

Cucumbers are considered safe for cats to eat in limited quantities, so don’t stress if your cat gets a tasty piece of this vegetable. Cucumbers have very high water content. It also contains  –

• Copper
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• 95% Of cucumber is water, which can be an excellent way for your cat to stay hydrated. It has all the essential nutrients for your cat to stay healthy.
• It also has molybdenum, a trace mineral that helps cats’ bodies maintain a healthy metabolism.
• Cucumber has vitamin K, which helps prevent blood clotting and helps maintain a healthy liver function. However, not all cats like vegetables or fruit, and felines can’t taste sweet savors.

Cucumbers are a very rich source of vitamins. They can give your cat many of the vitamins they need, including hydrating your cat. Giving them a veggie burger here and there that contains cucumber can be good for your cat. Just be sure the patty doesn’t have garlic or onions.

If cats eat garlic, it can destroy their red blood cells, and this condition is known as hemolytic anemia. Even a little bit of garlic can result in your cat having organ failure, organ damage, or even death.

Onion can also cause your cat anemia since onions break down their red blood cells. All onions, whether dehydrated, powdered, cooked, or raw, are toxic for your cats.

The cucumber’s green skin contains beta-carotene, an antioxidant that may help protect your cat’s cells from free radicals and against inflammatory diseases. Peeling the skin of the cucumber before you feed it to your cat will drop the beta-carotene level by a lot.

Cucumbers being regularly added to a person’s diet have shown to help decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Some may develop types of cancer. This hasn’t yet been demonstrated in cats, but it may be possible.

Only 15kcal per 100 grams of calories in a cucumber. It is pretty low in calories and great if you are trying to find a low-calorie treat for your cat that may be overweight. If your cat likes cucumbers, some chopped-up cucumbers can be an occasional good treat.

Tips from Our Vets

Dr. Jamie Whittenburg
DVM

It is normal to be concerned whenever your dog or cat gets into something they should not have. Dogs particularly tend to eat things with little to no regard for edibility. Because so many things can be toxic to pets, even some that are perfectly safe for humans, it can be hard to know what to do. Here are three key steps to take first:

1. The first thing you must do if your dog or cat ate or were exposed to something that they should not have is to determine how much of the substance they actually ingested.
2. Save labels or take pictures so that you are able to show the ingredients to your pet’s veterinarian.
3. Your veterinarian should be the first point of contact in the case of such an event. Call the nearest emergency veterinary hospital if it is outside of normal business hours.

Please follow the advice of your veterinarian. If your dog has ingested something toxic, they must immediately be taken to a hospital or clinic for treatment. If your veterinarian does not recommend seeing your pet right away, you should observe them carefully for any signs of illness. Things to be on the lookout for include:

1. Vomiting – Your dog may vomit from simple gastrointestinal distress after eating something other than their dog or cat food. However, intractable or repeated vomiting can signal a toxin ingestion or another serious issue like gastric dilation volvulus. These conditions are life threatening and require emergency treatment right away.
2. Lethargy – If your dog is acting oddly, or “not themselves,” it is a clue that the ingestion might be serious. Veterinary care should be sought as soon as possible.
3. Hypersalivation – Excessive drooling may signal a toxin exposure or an injury to the mouth. It can also be a sign of nausea. If your dog or cat is in hypersalivation, you should reach out to their veterinarian.
4. Weakness – If your dog or cat appears to be weak, is stumbling, or has difficulty walking, the likelihood of a toxin ingestion is higher. This is a sign that your dog requires veterinary care.
5. Seizures – Twitching, rapid leg or eye movements, and convulsions are all signs that something is wrong. These abnormal movements may be due to a toxin or another issue that the dog is experiencing.
6. Dribbling urine – Leaking urine is often seen in cases of marijuana toxicity. Dogs or cats exhibiting this sign should be taken to the nearest veterinary clinic for treatment.

If you are unable to reach your veterinarian, a great resource for help is the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. The APCC is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can reach them at (888) 426-4435. There is a one-time $75 fee for this service.

Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Cats Cucumber?

Cucumbers are healthy for cats, and some cats love eating them. They provide lots of water for your cats and keep them nice and hydrated. Giving your cats cucumber shouldn’t always be a thing. They can eat about two thin slices a week, which should be more than enough.

To prevent your cats from ingesting any of the chemicals, they may have used to clean the cucumbers, wash and peel the cucumber before feeding it to your cat. The skin may be more challenging for your cat to digest, so peeling it would be better.

Cats don’t necessarily need vegetables since they are obligate carnivores, so they don’t need to have vegetables in their diet to flourish. Don’t substitute meat meals with cucumber since your cat will likely not get the right balance of nutrients.

Since cucumber has a high content of water, giving your cat too much cucumber can end up in your cat having diarrhea. How to serve your cat cucumber, you may be thinking, well, here are some ways you can do so.

• Plain and fresh cucumber should only be served to your cat: Due to the high salt content in pickled cucumber feeding it to your cats is dangerous. Some recipes even use garlic which is toxic for cats to consume. If you are planning on giving your cat a fresh treat, make sure it’s fresh cucumber.
• The amount you give your cat is essential: Giving your cat one or two thin slices of cucumber a week should be ok and be able to satisfy your cat’s cucumber wants. They don’t need this vegetable in their diet. It should just be a here-and-there treat.

When giving the cucumber to your cat, cut it into small pieces about the same size as a cat treat, so it doesn’t pose a choking threat.

• Wash the cucumber before giving your cat it: Washing the fresh treat will remove any dirt or chemicals. Some farmers may have used special agents to clean the cucumber before selling it.

How Much Cucumber Can A Cat Eat?

Cats can eat around one to two thin slices of cucumbers. You can even cut it into small pieces and put it into their food. If you’re giving your cat a raw diet, you can mix it there. Ensure your cat likes it before giving it to them in their food.

Try to introduce it to them first. Since some cats are sensitive to different foods and can have an allergy to cucumbers or may gag at the texture and not like it in general. Going overboard can give your cat diarrhea and may also give them digestive problems.

Is Cucumber Skin Bad For Cats?

When feeding your cat cucumbers, it would be best to peel the skin off. The skin of the cucumber isn’t toxic for cats. Still, it isn’t perfect for them either since the skin of the cucumbers has to be cleaned before being sold with chemicals like citric acid.

Why Are Cats Scared Of Cucumbers?

Cats jumping at the sight of cucumbers may be a natural instinct. Cucumbers can cause your cat to have anxiety since they fear snakes, and a cucumber can resemble a snake at a brief look. Even though all cats aren’t afraid of snakes, cucumbers can still startle them. Cats usually hunt snakes, but it all depends on their personality.

Final Verdict

If your Rascal prefers eating thinly sliced cucumber to hunting the mouse carrying the kitchen away, it is perfectly fine as long as moderation is key.

Pet News Daily Staff
Pet News Daily writers are experts in pet care, health and behavior. We are members of Society for Professional Journalists and practice ethical journalism.