If you’re anything like us, you absolutely love pickles! And if you have a pet, then you already know to expect some begging by the dinner table from that potent dill and vinegar smell.

In general, plain dill pickles are non-toxic to dogs, so you’re able to share them in small doses. However, pickles come in many different flavors and that is when you should completely avoid ever letting your dog eat pickles. Certain herbs and high amounts of sodium can be quite harmful to their health. High sodium levels can affect pre-existing health issues in your dog such as high blood pressure and they can also play a major role in your dog’s weight gain.

Some examples of harmful pickles you should not feed your dog are kosher dill pickles and bread and butter pickles. These pickle variants contain spices such as garlic that can upset your dog’s stomach and cause gastrointestinal issues.  One smart suggestion is to just share small amounts of regular cucumber with your dog to avoid any unnecessary illness or worry.

Cucumbers are extremely low calorie, give your dog a nice crunchy snack, and help with hydration. However, if you opt in to sharing a pickle, only share ones that contain cucumber, brine, vinegar, and dill. Dill is supposedly known for helping out your dog’s breath!