Can dogs or cats eat pickles?
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Can dogs eat pickles?
As a side dish at a deli or as a zesty sandwich topping, who doesn't love a nice, sour pickle? (Okay, probably a lot of people.) But even if you're a veritable pickle connoisseur, pickles aren't recommended for your dog, even in moderation.
Pickles are made by soaking cucumbers in brine, a solution that contains high amounts of salt. Dogs have a lower tolerance for sodium than humans. Eating salt — especially in large quantities over time — can lead to canine health issues like dehydration and kidney damage.
Apart from their high salt content, some pickles may also be seasoned with garlic or onions, both of which are toxic to dogs. These ingredients can cause gastrointestinal illness, severe anaemia, and other serious health problems. And pickle brine often contains other spices, plus preservatives like vinegar, which may irritate your dog's digestive system and cause nausea or vomiting.
The bottom line: It's best to avoid feeding feeding pickles to your canine friend. But by all means, order extra pickles along with your pastrami-on-rye.
If your dog does find their way into a pickle barrel, you should reach out to your vet for advice, especially if you're observing lethargy, diarrhoea, vomiting, behavioural changes, or other signs of illness. And if your pup ever requires veterinary care due to eating unsafe food, dog insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.
Can dogs eat...
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Can cats eat pickles?
No, pickles aren't safe for cats to eat (though deli-going humans of all stripes are encouraged to partake).
Pickles are made from cucumbers that have been soaked in brine, a solution that contains salt and other ingredients like spices and vinegar. Cats only require small amounts of salt in their diets, and they can get it from their everyday cat food. Too much sodium can cause serious health conditions like dehydration and kidney damage, especially when it's eaten in large amounts over time.
On top of this, the highly acidic ingredients in pickle brine — namely, vinegar — can upset your cat's stomach, causing gastrointestinal illnesses like vomiting or diarrhoea.
Some pickles are also flavoured with garlic or onions, both of which are toxic to cats. These foods can break down your cat's red blood cells, leading to severe and potentially life-threatening anaemia.
The truth is, your cat wouldn't get too much benefit from pickles even it were safe to eat them. As obligate carnivores, cats need to get most of their nutrients from meat-based foods.
If your cat does manage to munch on some pickles. you should reach out to your vet for advice, especially if you're observing lethargy, diarrhoea, vomiting, behavioural changes, or other signs of illness. And if your cat ever requires veterinary care due to eating unsafe food, cat insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.
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Information purposes only
The suggestions offered here are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for pet-specific advice from your veterinarian. Never disregard your vet’s recommendations, or delay in acting on them, based on something you have read on this site. Regardless of how a food is rated here, any food that you give your pet can pose potential health risks, including allergic reactions, choking, or other health conditions such as bloat. Always monitor your pet while they’re eating, and never introduce a new food into your pet’s diet without first consulting your veterinarian.
Pet poison emergency protocol
If your pet is acting sick, call your regular veterinarian immediately. If your regular veterinarian is closed, call a nearby on-call veterinarian, animal urgent care, or veterinary emergency hospital. If your pet is not acting sick but you think they may have been exposed to a poison, call the Animal Poison Line (01202 50 9000).
Food safety statuses
Could be given almost daily without harm
Not toxic, but should not be given regularly
Toxic or simply too risky to give to your pet