Can Cats Eat Cucumbers?

Cucumber is not poisonous to cats. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic, so a small bite of plain cucumber won’t hurt most cats. But cats are meat eaters and don’t need vegetables. Treat it as an optional nibble, not a food your cat needs.

Is cucumber toxic to cats?

No. The ASPCA’s plant database lists the garden cucumber as non-toxic to cats. That covers the plant too, so a cat that chews a leaf from your garden cucumber vine isn’t being poisoned.

Non-toxic doesn’t mean your cat needs it, though. The Cornell Feline Health Center explains that cats are obligate carnivores. That means they depend on nutrients found in animal products. The Merck Veterinary Manual says a limited amount of carbohydrates isn’t necessarily bad for cats, but its advice is to feed a complete cat food made for cats and to avoid table scraps.

How to serve cucumber to a cat

If your cat is curious, you can offer a small taste. The sources above don’t give an exact serving size for cucumber, so these tips are common sense, not a set rule:

• Keep it plain. No salt, dressing, oil, vinegar, garlic, or onion.
• Start with a tiny piece. Offer one small bite and see how your cat reacts.
• Keep the piece small. A little goes a long way.
• Watch for a day. If your cat throws up or gets diarrhea, stop offering it.

Many cats ignore cucumber completely. That’s fine. Cats don’t have to like it.

How much cucumber is too much?

No source gives a safe amount for cucumber, so keep it very small. Cornell says treats should not make up more than 10 to 15 percent of a cat’s daily calories. Cucumber is a light snack, but any extra food can crowd out the balanced food your cat needs. Ask your vet if your cat has a health problem or special diet.

Other kinds of cucumber

Are pickles safe for cats?

It’s best to skip them. Pickles are often made with salt, and many recipes use garlic or onion. The ASPCA says too much salt can cause increased thirst and urination, and in serious cases vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, or seizures. It also warns that onion and garlic can damage red blood cells, and that cats are more sensitive than dogs. No source we read says how much pickle is safe for a cat, so keep pickles away from your cat.

Signs of garlic or onion poisoning, according to Merck, include tiredness, not eating, fast breathing, weakness, yellow-tinged skin or gums, and collapse. If your cat ate a pickle, check the label for garlic, onion, and spices, and tell your vet.

What about cucumber salad or seasoned slices?

Skip them. Restaurant and store-bought cucumber salads are often dressed with salt, onion, or garlic. If a salad has any of these, don’t share it. Give your cat a plain slice instead.

Can cats eat cucumber plants?

Yes, in the sense that the plant isn’t toxic. The ASPCA lists the garden cucumber plant as non-toxic to cats. Any plant can still upset a stomach if a cat eats a lot of it, so call your vet if yours vomits or seems unwell.

Better treats for your cat

• Treats made for cats
• A few pieces of your cat’s regular food, given as a reward
• Plain cucumber, once in a while, if your cat likes it

The Merck Veterinary Manual’s advice is to feed your cat a complete and balanced cat food and avoid table scraps. For the foods that are truly dangerous, see our guide to foods that are toxic to cats. If your cat is a cheese beggar too, read can cats eat cheese?