If you’re a dog owner who loves dates and eats them regularly, you may wonder what would happen with your dog if he ate some. Sharing your food with your dog is familiar to pet owners, although it’s important to acknowledge that some food is not safe for your dog and even can be deadly.
Read on to discover if your canine should avoid dates or you can share this tropical fruit with him regularly.
Can Dogs Eat Dates?
Simply said, yes. Dates are safe for your dog to consume and they are more than gladly seen fruit in dogs diet. Dates are a low-fat and cholesterol-free snack that you can easily share with your canine. Dates are rich in vitamins A, C, and several B vitamins.
Dates are also rich in iron, protein, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and dietary fiber. So, if your dog grabs dates from your kitchen table, you don’t have to worry about any serious side effects.
Dates are considered to be healthy for human consumption. Moreover, dates lack significant toxins or dangerous active ingredients and that makes them safe for your dog. Therefore, it’s okay for your dog to have dates in their diet from time to time.
Any healthy diet for a dog should cover all of their nutritional needs, so the human food should always be seen as a supplement or as a treat, and never as a dietary replacement or even staple.
The most important thing about feeding your dog human food is moderation. You need to pay close attention to your dog’s reaction when you give him human food for the first time. Also, you should monitor his behavior afterward, in case he shows any kind of stress in his body or demonstrates strange or unusual behavior.
Dates Are Safe For Dogs?
Yes, dates are 100% safe for dogs. Dates are easy to digest and they come with several essential nutrients that can benefit your dog’s overall health. Usually, there is a lot of confusion when it comes to the safety of the dates.
This strong confusion comes from the fruit’s close resemblance to raisins. Simply said, raisins are not safe for dogs. Why? Raisins are made from dehydrated grapes, and as you probably know already grape is dangerous for dogs. Furthermore, grapes can lead to kidney failure in dogs. Grapes are so dangerous for dogs that even a small amount can be fatal.
However, dates are not made from grapes, regardless of everyone belief. Dates come from date palm trees and are dehydrated for preservation. Dates have a distinct appearance and you can easily distinguish them from any other fruit, especially raisins. Dates are usually larger than standard raisins and come with a slightly brown hue. And, of course, there is the pit. The pit is another easy way to tell the difference, thanks to its brown seed inside that must be removed before you eat it or your dog.
Benefits Of Dates For Dogs
As mentioned earlier, dates are natural treats that are safe for your dog. Moreover, they come with fascinating benefits for your dog. However, you should make sure to feed your dog in moderation with this fruit. If you do so, you will not have to worry about any unhealthy side effects.
Overall, dates are considered to be free of allergens. If you are still not sure if it’s safe for you to share this fruit with your canine, here are some great benefits that you should know about.
1. Vitamins
Dates are a great source of vitamins such as vitamin A, B, and C. These vitamins and many more, all together enhance the dog’s immune system. Although they are small in size, dates are filled with a variety of different minerals and vitamins. Dates will give your dog’s immune system a boost so he will be better equipped and more capable of fighting off diseases and infections. Present minerals, such as zinc and iron can help promote proper bone development.
2. Low-Fat Treat And Cholesterol
To support your dog’s health development and overall health, you need to avoid an excessive amount of fat food, especially if your dog is prone to obesity. Little is known, but fat food could potentially clog the dog’s arteries. For example, treats bough in stores are always a major concern because of their fat content. They are full of fat to provide loads of flavor and a boost of energy. Furthermore, dates can give your dog the same positive effects of fatty treats without unhealthy trade-offs, and that is priceless.
Dates contain high levels of sucrose, fructose, and glucose – natural sugars, that are responsible to provide energy and keep the dog going during a long play or intense exercise. Also, dates will help to keep the dog’s cardiovascular system in check thanks to potassium, which can manage the dog’s blood pressure.
Quick Fact: Dates are made from 60% to 70% of natural sugars.
3. Fiber
Dates are a natural source of fiber and fiber is great for pets. The main reason why fiber is good for dogs lies in the fact that it can support the dog’s digestive tract. Furthermore, fiber can help your dog function properly and help avoid issues like diarrhea or constipation.
Also, a healthy dose of fiber is essential for maintaining blood sugar levels. It slows glucose absorption and can even help to prevent diabetes and excessive weight gain.
Side Effects Of Dates For Dogs
Dates are safe for dogs, but some side effects can be seen in some dogs. That being said, you should pay close attention to your dog’s behavior the first time you serve him some dates. Your dog may be allergic to dates or you can serve him more dates than he can digest on a daily level or even in one meal.
As a fruit rich in fiber, dates could cause strong diarrhea or stomach upset. Now, this can happen only if your dog eats more than a few dates. There is also one more thing – sugar. Dates are rich in natural sugar, so diabetic dogs should not be given dates easily.
Pits in dates can be one of the issues. They are not necessarily toxic, but they do pose a choking risk, especially if you have a small breed dog. Make sure that you always remove the pits if you are giving a date to your canine buddy.
How To Feed Your Dog Dates
This is the part where you don’t have to overthink because dogs will be easily attracted by dates smell. Your dog will be happy if you just put dates on the floor. He will find them easily thanks to their sweet smell. But before you leave them easily on the floor for your dog to find them, make sure that you check if dates are safe for him to eat.
Remove the pit, also known as the hard seed in the center. You should do this not because the pit is toxic, but because you want to avoid any possible-chocking moment. Even if your dog swallows the pit without choking, the pit can still become lodged in their intestinal tract and cause a blockage. Get rid of the pit to avoid the risks. So, how to serve? Simply slice each date and remove the hard seed.
When you first introducing the treat to your canine, start small. Give him a single date and see how he will react. If everything goes smoothly you can continue giving him more dates. While dates are considered to be safe for dogs, introducing new food can always be challenging and even upset dogs stomach. Always check dogs reaction before you start giving him dates regularly.
Can Dog Eat Too Many Dates?
Dates should always be fed in moderation. Just think – would you feed your dog an entire bag of doggy treats in a single day, and if you say ‘no’ then you know that you should keep same moderation when you’re rewarding your dog with dates. Dates should be used as a reward for good behavior or as an occasional snack and nothing more.
As mentioned earlier, dates are full of sugar and having too much can make your dog hyperactive. Your dog can even become dehydrated or jittery. Bear in mind that a regular diet consisted of a large number of dates can result in severe diarrhea and weight gain. The truth is that dates come with great benefits, but they should be enjoyed only if your dog consumes them in moderation.
Dates should always be shared sparingly, or even periodically. As dates are high in sugar you should be careful for your dog not to eat too much. Just one date contains 16 grams of sugar. That amount is high if your dog eats only a sugar-free diet. Also, too many dates including too much dietary fiber can cause diarrhea and digestive upset.
Can Dogs Eat Dates – Summary
If you are on a mission of finding perfect treats for your dog than you should think about introducing your canine to dates. This fruit is known for having several health benefits, including fiber, vitamins and natural sugar. So, if you want a healthy treat for your canine start giving him dates.
Dates are healthy and safe. Moreover, dates are significantly safer and healthy tan store-bought snacks. With so many beneficial nutrients and vitamins, dates are an excellent supplement to a dog’s standard diet.
