Can Dogs Eat Figs? Yes, But With Moderation
Figs can be a healthy snack for dogs when given in the right amounts, offering these benefits:
- Fiber: Supports healthy digestion and may help with weight management.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Boost immune function and overall health.
- Antioxidants: Fight cell damage and improve health.
Important Considerations
- Fresh Figs Only: Dried figs are too high in sugar and can be harmful.
- Avoid Fig Leaves: The sap from fig leaves can irritate a dog’s skin and digestive system.
- Moderation is Key: Too many figs can cause stomach upset. Stick to 1-2 figs per week for most dogs.
Types of Fig Products to Avoid
- Fig Newton Cookies: Often contain ingredients harmful to dogs.
- Fig Bars: Some brands use ingredients that can be toxic for dogs.
- Anything with Added Sugar: Can lead to health problems.
How to Feed Figs to Dogs
- Serve Fresh and Ripe: Avoid unripe figs, which can be difficult to digest.
- Small Portions: Start with small amounts and monitor your dog for any digestive issues.
Key Takeaways
- Figs can be a healthy, occasional treat for dogs when given fresh and in moderation.
- Prioritize a balanced, high-quality dog food diet.
- Always consult your veterinarian before introducing any new food to your dog, especially if they have any health conditions.
Do Dogs Like to Eat Figs?
Figs usually possess a honey-like taste and a fresh and crunchier taste like cookies, and it is seen that most dogs are attracted mostly to this due to its sweet taste.
But the dogs who have practiced avoiding sweets due to perfect health training and those who are not attracted to sweet taste might avoid this too.
But it is mostly noticed in all kinds of dog breeds that they enjoy this bulbous stem with utmost interest when they get this as a treat, so yes, we can say that dogs like the honey-like taste of this fruit.
What are the Benefits of Feeding Figs to Dogs?
This bulbous stem known as figs is composed mostly of water which is very efficient in working as a thirst-quencher for the canine.
Instead of this, it also works for the proper functioning of the digestive system of the canine. It keeps the immune system of the canine strong by controlling the enzymatic activities.
The beneficial nature of figs is mainly due to their nutritious components, which include copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, flavonoids, catechin, and rutin. Here’s the significance of the nutritious components of the canine.
Manganese
It is a must-present compound inside the dog’s body because it is an important part of many enzymatic activities inside the stomach, ensuring the canine’s proper health.
Instead, it is also important for producing energy and metabolizing the proteins and carbohydrates inside the body. It is also effective for the production of fatty acids.
The presence of manganese inside the canine body also ensures the proper health of the cartilaginous joints of the canine. Thus, it is a very important component among all the other nutritious compounds.
Magnesium
As per research, a dog must intake around 150 grams of magnesium as it is important for energy production at the cellular level.
The presence of magnesium inside the body facilitates energy for every movement of the canine, such as the movement of muscles, a heartbeat, and even a thought that the canine has. Thus it’s beneficial.
Potassium
Potassium is a very important component that needs to be present inside the dog’s body, and this is because it supports almost all the bodily functions of the canine.
It is an electrolyte vital for the canine’s health. It is important for the activities such as proper regulation of the heartbeat, proper functioning of the muscles and nerves, and protein synthesis.
Gallic Acid
Gallic acid, also known as glycolic acid, is beneficial to the canine in many ways. Its benefits include alleviating the dysfunction of the gut of the canine, boosting its immune system, and promoting the production of collagen in the body along with exfoliation of the skin.
Chlorogenic Acid
Chlorogenic acid is beneficial to the canine because it possesses some antimicrobial activities and can also fight pathogenic bacteria and destroy them at the cellular level.
It protects the canine’s body from substances such as yeasts, molds, viruses, and amoeba, which can cause many serious issues. Thus its presence inside the body of the canine is necessary.
Flavonoids
Flavonoid is a type of phytonutrient with some anti-inflammatory properties that are effective in protecting the cell from a certain type of oxidative damage which can lead to the cause of many bacterial diseases in the canine.
The presence of such compounds is also effective for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cognitive diseases, and many others.
Catechin
Catechin is helpful for the canine because it prevents damage to the canine cells and reduces the production of free radicals inside the body, preventing the cells and necessary molecules from certain damage.
Can Dogs Eat Figs?
Yes, figs are safe for the canines to eat but should be given moderately. We have already discussed all the benefits of figs to canines above, but it is suggested to the dog owners that if they notice certain changes in the dog’s body, they should go for a vet visit.
It is because sometimes the dog might have some undetected internal diseases which can react with the nutritious compounds of the fruit and become toxic to the canine’s health. Thus, a vet visit is necessary to treat the disease properly.
Can Dogs Eat Dried Figs?
No, dried figs can be dangerous to your canine’s health. This is because the figs already have some percentage of refined sugar in them, and when this stem gets dried, the content of sugar in it gets intensified;
thus, the fruit turns into a toxic material for the canine, and it becomes very difficult for the canine to digest it properly.
Feeding dried figs to the canine can cause severe issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, and many others. Thus, it is suggested to dog owners that they should never feed dried figs to the canine.
Can Dogs Eat Fig Newton Cookies?
Although these cookies are not extremely harmful to the health of the canine, it is still not preferable as the sugar content of the cookies increases during their preparation to give them a better taste.
But you can go for feeding it as a treat to your canine occasionally as having this tasty snack once a week will cause no harm to the health of the canine.
Can Dogs Eat Fig Newton?
No, fig newton is not at all suggested for the canines to eat. This is because it contains one of the most toxic substances to dogs that are present in almost all human snacks, named hydrogenated cottonseed oil, which is very difficult for the canines to digest and can lead to severe issues; thus, it is not suggested.
Can Dogs Eat Fig Bars?
No, it is not safe for the dogs to eat fig bars because most of the time, the manufacturers used to add hydrogenated cottonseed oil to make it delicious. Thus, it can be harmful to the canine.
Whereas there are still some brands that used to add canola oil instead of hydrogenated cottonseed oil to make these tasty bars, which is a preferable choice for the canine. Thus we can say that dogs can eat fig bars free from hydrogenated cottonseed oil.
Can Dogs Eat Fig Leaves?
No, it is suggested to the dog owners that they should never allow their dogs to eat figs because the fig leaves contain a type of sap that can be very toxic to the canine’s health.
Eating thins leaves can cause painful issues to the canine, such as gastrointestinal disorders and severe irritations to the skin. Thus, it is not preferred.
Can Dogs Eat Figs and Dates?
Yes, both figs and dates can be a very helpful diet for the canine’s health. Dates are low fat and a cholesterol-free snack for your canine, which can benefit the canine in many ways, but as the sugar content is relatively high, it is suggested to the dog owners to keep the dosage of dates limited.
But, being low in cholesterol sometimes can be a great treat for the canine, and a mixture of it with figs will work wonders in some cases. So yes, we can say that dogs can eat figs with dates occasionally.
How Often Can Dogs Eat Figs?
As per the vet’s prescription, almost two figs a week are enough for the canine. Exceeding the dose can, however, lead to severe discomforts for the canine. Thus, it is suggested to the dog owners that they should never get over two figs a week for the canine.
Whereas if the dog is not grown up, somewhere between one to one and a half figs can be sufficient for the canine for a whole week.
Can Dogs Eat the Skin of Figs?
No, it is suggested to the dog owners that they shouldn’t allow their dog to eat the skin of the figs because the skin also contains a small amount of the toxic sap, which can create difficulties for the canine after digestion.
In cases of fig poisoning, the dog might have symptoms like vomiting, abdominal pain, watery eyes, or mouth pain.
The facts mentioned above will help the owners in all aspects who have been looking for can dogs to eat figs to make their canine’s diet healthy and nutritious.
