You may have opened up a pack of fresh dates, looking forward to snacking on the sweet and juicy fruit and noticed your dog looking pleadingly at you. Then you may ask yourself; can dogs eat dates?
The simple answer is yes, dogs can eat dates. The fruit is non-toxic to dogs and there are some health benefits available to dogs by eating dates. Just be sure to remove the pits from the fruit before giving it to your dog.
However, that’s not the full story, just how beneficial are dates for dogs? And what are the risks posed by dates to dogs? And just how many dates can you feed your dog.
Read on to get the full details about giving your dog dates.
Table of Contents
What Are Dates?
As a Middle Eastern fruit with thousands of years of culinary tradition, dates are a must-have for every Middle Eastern meal. Dates grows in big groups on date palm trees, which may reach to 50 feet tall. A date, which resembles a giant raisin in both texture and taste, may be eaten fresh or partly dried.
Can Dogs Eat Dates? – Are Dates Safe For Dogs?
Yes, dogs can eat dates. The sweet and juicy Middle Eastern fruit is completely safe for dogs to eat. Just be sure to remove the pits of the fruit before feeding dates to dogs.
Even though dates and raisins seem similar, dates are not related to grapes and do not contain any hazardous chemicals or compounds that are toxic to dogs. Therefore, dates may be fed to dogs without fear of negative side effects.
Keep in mind that you should only feed dates to dogs in moderation.
Are Dates Good For Dogs? Health Benefits Of Dates For Dogs?
Vitamins and minerals abound in dates. Vitamins A and K, thiamin, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, and zinc all make an appearance. Although dogs don’t get all of the benefits of these, this fruit is still a healthful treat for your pooch.
Fiber, for example, aids digestion, which is beneficial for dogs that are prone to constipation. In addition, the vitamins in these foods help dogs’ hearts, eyes, and joints. They’re also energizing.
While all of this sounds wonderful for our pets, care and moderation should still be used. The natural sugars found in dates come from the fact that they are a fruit. Dates should not be fed to diabetic dogs. Only a modest quantity of dates should be fed to other dogs.
Are Dates Bad For Dogs? Risks Of Letting Dogs Eat Dates?
While dates do provide health benefits to dogs, there are still some risks to be wary of.
Fiber Content Is High
Dogs with sensitive stomachs and gastrointestinal disorders may have diarrhea and stomach discomfort as a result of the high fiber content of dates. Over-consumption of dates might lead to these symptoms as well. By limiting the amount of dates you give your dog, you’ll them avoid getting any stomach irritations.
Sugar Levels Are High
Dates, despite their natural state, contain a significant amount of sugar. Treats heavy in sugar may be dangerous for dogs with diabetes or other health issues, so keep this in mind when giving your pet dates.
Dates Have Pits
In the core of a date is a pit, which makes them stone fruits. Although it is possible to buy dates that are free of pits, some dates may still include pits even though they are labelled as pit-free.
How Many Dates Can A Dog Eat?
Dates should be considered a high value treat and only given to your dog occasionally. In reality a date’s true problem is its sugar content. Even though a 25g date is quite light, it packs a whopping 16g of sugar. As a result, when it comes to feeding your dog dates, moderation is key.
A small breed dog should only be given around a quarter of a date no more than once a week.
A medium breed can be safely given half of a date no more than once a week.
A large breed dog can be safely given one date no more than once a week.
Always be sure that the pit has been removed from the date before feeding it to your dog.
Due to their high sugar level and fiber content, dates may cause stomach distress and diarrhea if consumed in excess.
Is It Safe For Dogs To Eat Dates?
It’s safe for dogs to at dates. The Middle Eastern fruit is harmless to our canine friends. Before giving dates to dogs, make careful to remove the pits.
Even though dates and raisins seem to be similar, dates are not connected to grapes and do not contain any dangerous chemicals or substances that are poisonous to dogs. As a result, dates may be safely given to dogs without concern about adverse effects on their health.
Be mindful of the fact that dogs should only eat dates in moderation.
Related – cherries are a favorite fruit of dogs, but is it safe for them to eat it? Find out be reading can dogs eat cherries?
Will Dates Hurt Dogs?
Dates are safe for dogs to eat and don’t contain any substances that can hurt dogs. The only way in which dates may hurt dogs is if you over feed the fruit to your dog or fail to remove the pit from the fruit.
Dates contain a significant amount of sugar, which can be dangerous for dogs with diabetes or other health issues. Dogs with sensitive stomachs and gastrointestinal disorders may have diarrhea and stomach discomfort from eating too many dates.
However, if your dog doesn’t suffer from any of the above conditions, then dates are a wonderful treat for your dog, when given in moderation.
Can Dogs Eat Dried Dates?
Yes, dogs can eat dried dates. As long as you only feed your dog a limited amount of dates, then dried dates and fresh dates make a tasty and nutritious snack for your pooch.
The actual issue with dates is their high sugar content. In spite of its small size, a 25g date has 16g of sugar. As a consequence, moderation is crucial when it comes to feeding dates to your dog.
Related – Are pureed fruits bad for dogs? Find out by reading can dogs eat applesauce?
My Dog Ate A Date Seed – What Should I Do?
It’s important that you remove date pits or date seeds from dates before feeding them to your dog. Date pits or date seeds can be a choking hazard for dogs and cause an intestinal blockage.
It’s critical that you keep an eye out for any symptoms of discomfort if your dog has eaten a date pit. In many instances the date pit may pass through your dog’s digestive system without trouble. However, there is a chance of complications.
Keep an eye out for any indications of intestinal obstruction in your dog. Some instances of symptoms associated with a blockage are listed below:
- Vomiting
- Excessive drooling
- Irregular bowel motions
- A lack of appetite
If you see any of these symptoms, you should get your dog to the veterinarian right away.
Related – Mangoes are another sweet juicy fruit, but can your dog eat it safely? Find out by reading can dogs eat mango?
Can Puppies Eat Dates?
It is safe for dogs to eat dates. There are no substances in dates that can harm dogs. With that said, young puppies should not be fed dates unless your veterinarian specifically recommends it for your puppy’s health.
What is the reason behind this? Because your puppy should be fed a particular puppy diet for the first few months of its life,
Why is that? Because your puppy should eat a special puppy diet for the first few months of its life. This diet should be authorized by your veterinarian after an examination of your puppy.
Can Dogs Eat Dates? – Final Thoughts
If you’ve read the whole article then you’ll know the answer to the questions; can dogs eat dates? The short answer is yes, dogs can safely eat dates as long as they are fed them in moderation.
Dates are high in sugar and that’s the major concern with them. A small 25g date can have up to 16g of sugar in it. As a result, dates should be fed to dogs in very limited amounts no more than 3 to 4 times a month.