Can Dogs Eat Figs? Answered!

Written by: Bojana Radulovic
Is fig something that you should be sharing with your furry friend or not? In this article, we will explore if figs are safe or not for dogs.

Can my dog eat figs? If you love this fruit, especially on a hot summer day, you may wonder if it is safe, or not to share it with Fido.

Can Dogs Eat Figs?

Yes, dogs can eat figs, but there are some pieces of advice to follow as you want to avoid possible downsides of feeding dogs with figs.

Did you know that figs can cause allergies in dogs and mild to severe stomach disturbances?

Figs are packed with dietary fiber, and as such, they are beneficial for the digestive system.

Dogs can benefit from food rich in fiber, but too much fiber (both in dogs and people) can cause different sorts of issues.

Good to know: Some dogs may refuse figs, as they just don’t like the smell or the taste.

Never force dogs to eat some human foods if they don’t like them, as they get enough nutrients from commercial dog food.

Let’s learn more about what you can expect if you decide to feed your dog with figs.

Are Figs Bad For Dogs?

Now that we know that dogs can have figs, it’s important to note that moderation is the key when it comes to serving.

Even for humans figs in large amounts can lead to disturbance, just imagine what it can do to a dog’s stomach.

Figs should always be served in moderation, as an occasional treat in tiny amounts, and only as a treat, never as a full meal.

Figs enzymes that can be too strong for your dog’s stomach to handle.

If you are still wondering if figs are bad for dogs or if figs can hurt dogs, know that it’s possible only if Fido eats too many figs.

In that case, you can expect to witness vomiting and diarrhea.

All in all, the list of benefits of eating figs is much longer than the list of downsides of eating figs.

Before we elaborate on that one, let’s learn how many figs can dogs eat.

How Many Figs Can Dogs Eat?

Introduce figs to your dog slowly. Less is more when it comes to feeding dogs human foods.

Test it first! Start with one test-figs-meal and see how Fido reacts. If he refuses to swallow it, your dog is just not a figs fan, which is OK. Do not force him to eat it.

How many figs to serve to your dog? Cut one fig into small pieces, and serve it raw to your dog.

Even if your dog is crazy about figs don’t serve it more than 2-3 times per week.

The best way to serve figs to your dog is to serve them fresh and in small bites. Always.
But… How many figs can a dog eat? Dogs should not eat more than one to two fresh figs weekly.

Pro tip: To minimize the risk of digestive issues, serve figs with your dog’s regular meal.

Feeding Figs To Dogs In A Nutshell

  • Always serve your canine fresh figs
  • Keep it to 2-3 figs per week
  • Always serve just one fig per time
  • Always cut figs into smaller pieces
  • Don’t give your dog dried figs

Can Dogs Have Dried Figs?

Dogs should not eat dry figs. Dry figs are not only high in calories but also super-packed with sugar which is dangerous to dogs.

What about canned figs, can dogs eat canned figs? Just like dried figs, dogs should not eat canned figs.

In fact, any canned fruit should be off limits as its high in calories, sugar, and many artificial ingredients.

Can Dogs Eat Fig Newtons?

If eating figs is not toxic for dogs you were probably wondering if your dog can eat fig newtons.

Know that fig newton aren’t suitable for dogs. Moreover, serving fig newtons to dogs can lead to serious long-term health issues.

This happens because of several ingredients like sugar, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, sodium benzoate, sulfur dioxide, and numerous artificial flavors. Overall, these ingredients are not good for a dog’s health.

Now, that we know if dogs can eats figs and how many figs they can eat on a weekly level, and have a better understanding of why canned fruit is bad for dogs – let’s learn about fig poisoning in dogs.

Fig Poisoning In Dogs

Fig poisoning in dogs is possible.

Even the safest food when ingested in high amounts can lead to some disturbances. However, when we are talking about fig poisoning in dogs we are actually talking about those who grow figs at home.

If you are passionate or just educated about growing figs at home, you probably know that the tree figs grow on a type of Ficus tree.

Whenever you are upgrading your garden you should check if a plant is poisonous to dogs or not – if a tree or a plant is dangerous for dogs do not plant it.

As for the fig tree, know that dogs should not come in contact with this tree, including the leaves.

If your canine comes near this tree he can suffer from skin inflammations.

If Fido somehow ingests any part of the fig tree (including the leaves) it may lead to strong diarrhea, vomiting, or other intense reaction.

If possible, the best thing would be if you could build a fence around the fig tree. In short, your dog shouldn’t be given access anywhere near it on their own.

However, if it happens, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Allergic Reactions On Figs In Dogs

Figs are not known as a highly allergenic food, but some dogs have a strong reaction to it.

If your canine has never had figs before, the smart move would be to start with small amounts. Give your dog just one fig and wait a few days to see how he will react.

All in all, some dogs are allergic to figs, while some dogs just have stronger reactions.

However, make sure that you are tracking the following symptoms:

  • Coughing
  • Vomiting
  • Rash in the mouth
  • Rash on the skin
  • Eye itchiness

Make sure that you contact your veterinarian immediately in case you see any skin reactions.

Furthermore, there might be some strong reactions that involve the airway.

However, your dog could recover just fine with an antihistamine, but your dog may need to take a steroid to fully recover.

However, if you decide to treat your dog with figs, start with a small amount – just a few figs every week, and serve them only fresh.

Now that we know that serving figs to your dog comes with ups and downs and how to serve them safely, let’s see why they are also beneficial to dogs.

Benefits Of Figs For Dogs

There are a few good sides when it comes to this fruit that your canine might benefit from. But, bear in mind that you should let your dog eat figs not more than three times per week.

1. Figs Are Rich In Natural Sugar

You have probably heard that sugar is bad for dogs. Simply said, they can’t benefit from it at all.

However, a natural sugar that can be found in fruit like figs is a completely different story.

Natural sugar can be found in figs in a significant amount.

This sugar is a great source of energy for your dog, and it won’t lead to crash refines artificial sugars do.

2. Figs Are Rich In Fiber

Food which is rich in fiber is great for balancing your entire body and especially the digestive system.

The same goes for your dog. Therefore, figs are great for a dog’s weight control and overall health.

Furthermore, it can even help with constipation, due to its support when it comes to regulating bowel movements.

The fiber, regularly found in figs, is great for dogs who suffer from weight issues, who are dealing with a weakened colon, and its great for dogs who may be at risk for diabetes mellitus.

3. Figs Are Rich In Potassium

Figs are rich in pottasium that can easily help your dog when it comes to regulating blood pressure.

Also, potassium helps offers cardiovascular benefits.

Furthermore, if your dog is diagnosed with low potassium levels, figs will help him keep their blood pressure down.

4. Figs Are Great For Weight Management

Figs are excellent as they serve as filling food. Therefore, it’s great for helping manage weight.

So, if your dog is on a diet and he starts being peckish you should think about adding fiber to his weekly diet.

Serve your dog 1-2 dried figs when you are going for fast hunger satisfaction. Be careful not to go overboard with figs as too much can lead to problems with stools.

5. Good For The Heart

If you want to protect your dog’s heart and help him stay stronger figs are a good choice.

Figs are known to have cardiovascular benefits both for humans and dogs.

By taking care of your dog’s overall health you will protect his entire organism, including the heart.

Can Figs Cause Allergies In Dogs?

Long story short, yes. This is possible only in rare cases. Figs contain ficin and fucosin which is irritant to some dogs.

Dogs can show signs of allergies when they are eating figs for the first time.

The most common signs of a reaction include diarrhea, vomiting, and heavy drooling.

These signs may be a clear point that your dog has some allergies, but it’s not necessary.

So, one thing that can cause allergic reactions in dogs is actually the wasp in the figs. It is believed that some figs contain wasp eggs or larvae.

Figs are commercially cultivated and it may be the reason for it. But, not all figs came from wasp-infected trees.

If your dog is not used to eating figs it may take some time before his digestive system and regulate consuming figs.

If you believe that figs may cause your dog allergies, stop giving them and contact your veterinarian to be sure that your dog is fine.

Can Dogs Eat Figs – Wrap Up

When used appropriately, figs are safe for a dog. It’s still important that you exercise caution when serving figs to dogs.

There are simple rules that have to be followed if you want to keep your dog healthy while serving him this treat.

Make sure that you always serve figs fresh and raw.

Avoid serving dry figs. They are more beneficial to humans than they are to dogs. Furthermore, they can be harmful to dogs due to their enormous sugar content.

If your dog is not allergic serve him with 2-3 figs per week in the form of a snack.

Balance is the key when it comes to this fruit and your dog should get the most out of it.