Can Pigs Eat Cucumber Skins?

Vegetables and fruits are all good sources of nutrients for your pets. Pigs are omnivores, which makes them less selective, eaters. Pigs can eat from both plant and animal food origin. Pigs should be fed with food with the right quantity of nutrients. Speaking of food with the right quantity of nutrients, cucumbers happen to be a part of them.  Pigs also happen to love them. But can they eat them?

Cucumbers are those long, lean green-looking vegetables or fruit. 

Cucumbers are referred to as a fruit, botanically, because of the seeds found in them. They are also referred to as a vegetable by some people because of how it is used in the culinary world. There is a bit of controversy there. 

Therefore, since cucumbers are more scientifically proven to be a fruit and for the purpose of this article, we would be referring to cucumbers as a fruit here. 

Shall we?

Before, moving on to answer the question of whether or not cucumbers are safe for pigs' consumption, let us quickly discuss the different types of cucumbers

There are about 35 types of cucumber but here we would only be discussing seven of them. 

Armenian 

Also known as snake cucumber or snake melon. From the name snake, these cucumbers are extra long and twisted. They are characterized by thin and dark green skin. 

Japanese

Japanese cucumbers are also referred to as kyuri. They are similar to the Armenian cucumbers. They are similar in the sense that they are dark green, and they are also slender. The only thing that differentiates them is that Japanese cucumbers additionally have tiny bumps and thin skin. They are reported to have a crispy texture. 

English cucumber

Of course, this has another name. It is also called a European cucumber. They are usually more expensive. It is known for its deep green hue and pinched ends. It is said to be sweet and mild. It is a seedless cucumber that is perfect for salads. 

American Cucumber

These cucumbers are about 8 - 10 inches long. They have a dark green flesh that sometimes has a light yellow patch near the top. They are the most common type in this part of the world.

Kirby

These cucumbers are short. They are usually about 3 - 6 inches long. They have bumpy skin with a mixture of green and yellow patches. They are also said to have a crunchy texture. 

Lemon Cucumber

From the name, lemon, this cucumber resembles a lemon. They are best eaten on their own or they can be sliced into salads. This cucumber is very delicate and sweet. Everybody should have one once in their lifetime. 

 Gherkins

These cucumbers are most commonly pickled. They are short 2 - 3 inches long. They also have bumpy skin that tends to be a light shade of green. 

Now, Can pigs eat cucumber skin?

Yes, pigs can eat cucumber skin. Pigs should eat cucumber skin when they eat cucumbers. The act of peeling off the skin before serving the cucumber to animals is not the best. 

Although the skin does not have much to offer still no nutrient should be underestimated, which would be leading us to our next subheading.

Nutritional value of Cucumber Skin

We cannot discuss the nutritional value of cucumber skin without including the nutritional value of the cucumber itself. Just because they go hand in hand, they should go hand in hand. 

Cucumbers are made of beneficial nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers, low calories,  and most importantly water. 

• Starting with _ Low Calorie

It is no news that the calorie content of cucumbers is amazingly low. This is why people with a conscious healthy diet result in them. One medium-sized unpeeled raw cucumber has about 30 calories. Pigs are already known for their fat. Taking unhealthy fat would not be so healthy for them. This is why fruits like cucumber should be fed to them. 

Fat

Of course, cucumbers contain no fat. Yes, a medium-sized unpeeled cucumber contains 0 grams of fat. As I mentioned earlier, these are the types of food or fruits pigs should feed on. They bring nothing but good health. 

Vitamin C

The vitamin C content of a full unpeeled cucumber might not be a lot but it still benefits. A full unpeeled cucumber already contains 10 % of the daily recommended value. Vitamin C is an anti-scurvy deficiency vitamin. Scurvy is a disease that is characterized by bleeding gum and weak joints. 

Vitamin K 

Vitamin K helps with blood clots and they also help with bones. A medium-sized cucumber contains 57% of the recommended daily value of vitamin K. 

The deficiency of it might lead to weak bones. 

Dietary Fiber

Fiber is the main nutrient you get from eating cucumber skin. An unpeeled cucumber is made up of 2 grams of fiber. Pigs need fiber for better bowel movements. Fiber also helps soften the stool. So if you worry about your pets having hard stool, cucumber with its skin would be a good remedy. 

Minerals

Unpeeled cucumbers also contain some minerals like potassium, magnesium, and manganese which are about 9%, 22%, and 9% of the daily recommended value in respective order.  

Water

Saving the best for the last. The value of water cannot be overestimated. It is a vital nutrient in our lives. It helps prevent constipation. It helps boost the immune system. The water in cucumber is mainly in the cucumber itself and only a little in the cucumber skin. A whole unpeeled cucumber contains plus or minus 95% of water. Amazing, isn't it?

General Tips

Here are some tips to observe before you extend that piece of cucumber to your pet (pig).

• The first obvious step is to pick out good and fresh cucumbers from the store or farm. Be aware of cucumbers with brown patches; it might sometimes be a sign of 

insects' manifestation or decay. Also, avoid cucumbers with yellow and puffy looks. Go for bright green and fresh ones. 

• After picking the best set of cucumbers the next thing to do is to thoroughly wash and rinse the skin of the cucumber before serving them to your pig. Some even go as far as using warm water to rinse. Although it is important to note that cucumber should not be washed before storing, it could be rinsed but not washed. This is because the skin of cucumbers contains some chemicals that have been applied to them to make them last longer when stored. Washing off the back before storing doesn't help preserve them. 

• After washing the cucumber skin thoroughly, slice them into smaller pieces for your pigs. Slicing them helps make the eating process more enjoyable. Also, remember to not peel off the skin. 

• While serving ensure that you are serving in moderation. Mixing the sliced cucumbers with other fruits or vegetables would also be a good idea. 

fruit salad

• Then lastly, ensure you store the remaining cucumbers properly. A cucumber can stay in the refrigerator for about a week or more. 

In Summary,

After reading this I hope you won't be peeling off the skin of cucumbers when next you pick up some from the store or farm.