Can Cats Eat Cucumber? 4 Potential Benefits

Can cats eat cucumber? The answer is yes! Cucumber is rich in moisture, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial for cats. Still, you should consider this a casual treat that you should only give to your cat once in a while. After all, cucumber is still a fruit that’s only around 10% of the cat’s diet.

In this post, I discussed more about cucumbers and how it will benefit your cat. I also answer some common questions that I receive from fellow cat owners.

Benefits of cucumber to cats

According to the ASPCA, cucumber is non-toxic to cats. True enough, this fruit is very nutritious for both humans and cats. So if your cat stole a slice of cucumber on your plate, you shouldn’t worry too much. In fact, giving your cat a slice or two of cucumber will provide the following benefits:

1. A good source of moisture

Cucumber is watery, so it’s an excellent source of extra hydration for your cat. This is a nice treat during the summer to ensure that your kitty will not go dehydrated. It’s a very light fruit, so it doesn’t have too many sugars, so it’s perfect for cats with diabetes.

Aside from the water content, cucumber also has decent amounts of fiber that help a lot with a cat’s digestion.

2. Rich in Vitamin K

Cucumber is an excellent source of Vitamin K. This vitamin helps the blood’s clotting abilities as well as the functions of the cat’s liver.

Vitamin K is actually a counter-medication for warfarin, a rat poison. Some vets will prescribe Vitamin K1 supplements to fight the effects of warfarin if your cat ingests a poison-laced rodent. While cucumber isn’t a cure for poisoning, the vet can give it a go during your cat’s recovery.

Remember that you should bring your cat to the vet when it ingested poison. Cucumber alone isn’t the answer.

3. Packed with minerals

Cucumber contains moderate amounts of potassium, copper, and manganese that all boost your cat’s health. Potassium is an electrolyte that supports a cat’s nerves and muscles.

On the other hand, copper becomes an amino acid called tyrosine, which helps in the absorption of iron. Nevertheless, it must be given in small amounts, just like those present in cucumber.

Lastly, a small amount of manganese on cucumber helps build bones and cartilage on a growing kitten’s body.

4. Excellent alternative treat

Lastly, cucumber slices are excellent treats for cats. You can give some as a reward for your kitten during training. But then again, you shouldn’t overindulge your pet with cucumber since it should be consuming a meat-based diet. 

How to give cucumber to cats

Cucumber is a nutritious fruit that you can give to your cat once in a while. The following are some of the easy ways to add this to your kitty’s diet:

• Slice it. The easiest and most straightforward way to give cucumbers to cats is by slicing it thinly. This will let your cat enjoy the crunch and juiciness of the cucumber.
• Dice it. You can level up your cat’s wet or dry food by adding small cucumber cubes. It offers extra hydration and a dose of nutrients for your cat.
• Freeze it. During the hot summer, you can freeze some cucumber slices and give it to your cat as a treat. It’s an excellent way to cool down your kitty and give extra hydration.

Take note that cucumber should be given modestly. Remember that your cat still needs to eat full meals each day.

Can cats eat cucumber leaves?

While cucumber leaves are edible, I don’t recommend giving it to your cat. Eye problems and sneezing may occur if your cat gets in contact with fresh cucumber leaves. Due to this potential reaction, it’s best to keep cucumber leaves away from your kitty. Besides, your cat doesn’t need the nutrients on the leaves.

Can cats eat cucumber skin?

Technically, cucumber skin is safe for cats. However, vets recommend peeling the fruit first because commercially purchased cucumber may have pesticides on it. Even if you wash it thoroughly, these chemicals can linger and cause stomach irritation on your cat.

Can cats eat pickles?

Pickles are basically fermented cucumber. You should never give this to your cat, not because it’s poisonous, but because of the salt content.

Most pickles are fermented on a brine solution, which is packed with a lot of sodium. And as you know, too much salt can make a cat sick. If you used a commercially purchased pickling liquid, you should know that it has garlic, too. Garlic is dangerous for cats.

It’s best to stick to fresh and peeled cucumber if you want to give an extra treat to your cat. Pickles will just mess with your kitty’s digestion, regardless if it has a dose of probiotics.

Can cats eat zucchini?

Zucchini is similar to cucumber, so it’s safe for cats. The difference is that zucchini has less moisture and not as juicy as a cucumber. It also has a grittiness, which your cat may or may not like. And since zucchinis have bumpy and rough skin, you should peel it first.

Like cucumber, zucchini has manganese, potassium, and magnesium that are nutritious for your cat. Just make sure that you don’t give too much because zucchinis are heavy on the stomach.

Why are cats scared of cucumber?

If you’ve been watching cat videos, you probably saw a few where cats jump out of fear upon seeing cucumber. Experts explain that it’s because cucumbers have similarities to a snake – green and elongated.

The sight of a whole cucumber triggers cats’ fear of snakes. This sends a cat into a fit of panic and fear; thus the jumping and “levitating”. Still, vets say that this isn’t definitive, and there can be other reasons too.

But before you inconspicuously place a cucumber beside your cat, let me stop you there. Your cat may get injured in the process of jumping and getting shocked by the cucumber. The kitty may break something and get seriously hurt.

Also, scaring your cat with a cucumber often may take its toll on the kitty’s mental health. Instead of placing the cucumber beside your cat, it’s best to slice it and make it a treat for the kitty. This is a safer and healthier move.

 

Conclusion

Can cats eat cucumber? Yes, cats can snack on some slices of cucumber. It’s nutritious, juicy, and an excellent source of extra hydration. But like any fruit, you shouldn’t give too much. Your cat should eat full meals and not just cucumbers all day long. Besides, cats are carnivores and must eat meat as their main diet.