Can dogs eat dates? This question has been asked before, If you love dates, then you should definitely give them a try. They contain lots of fiber and nutrients. And they also taste great! In fact, dates are a common snack food for dogs.
Dates are rich in vitamin C, potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, folate, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, pantothenic acid, B6, and biotin. That means they are good for your dog’s health.
What are Dates?
Dates are a fruit native to North Africa and the Middle East. They are also known as date palms or Medjools. The word dates comes from the Arabic Dahr meaning time.
Dates are dried fruit from the date palm tree. They come in two varieties: soft and dry. Soft dates are usually eaten fresh or soaked in water overnight before being consumed. Dry dates are often sold in their whole form and then ground into flour.
Dates are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients. They are often eaten fresh, dried, or cooked into desserts.
Nutrition Content of dates
A 100-gram serving of Medjool dates provides the following nutrients :-
- Calories: 277
- Carbs: 75 grams
- Fiber: 7 grams
- Protein: 2 grams
- Potassium: 15% DV
- Magnesium: 13% DV
- Copper: 40% DV
- Manganese: 13% DV
- Iron: 5% DV
- Vitamin B6: 15% DV
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Are Dates Good for Dogs? Health Benefits of Dates for Dogs
1. Dental Health
Dates are high in fiber and help clean teeth by moving food around while chewing. When dogs eat them they enjoy the sweet taste. Dates have been shown to reduce plaque build-up and tartar formation, making them great for dental care.
2. Weight Control
Dates are a good snack for weight loss. Studies show that people who ate two to three daily servings of dates lost over five pounds each year compared to those who did not eat any dates. Because dates are low in calories, they do not cause spikes in blood sugar levels.
3. Energy Boosting
The natural sugars in dates provide instant energy without causing a spike in insulin levels. Dogs love to chew on dates, especially if you give them treats after. Chewing on these tasty little morsels helps improve their digestion and keep them feeling full longer.
4. Healthy Skin
Dates are rich in antioxidants and vitamin A, both of which promote skin health. Vitamin A promotes good skin coloration and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
5. Immune System Support
Dates are packed with antioxidants like beta carotene and vitamins C and E, which work together to strengthen the immune system. Antioxidants fight free radicals, harmful chemicals produced by the body that damage cells and lead to illness.
6. Heart Health
Studies show that eating dates regularly may lower cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease. One study showed that consuming half a cup of dried dates per day lowered total cholesterol by 10% in just six weeks.
7. Digestive Health
Dates are a great way to increase digestive health. They are high in dietary fiber, which aids in regularity and elimination. Fiber also helps maintain a healthy gut flora and prevents constipation.
8. Delicious Treat
Dogs love the sweetness of dried fruits, including dates, and will often eat them right out of hand. You don’t need to worry about choking hazards either since dates are small enough to pass easily through your dog’s esophagus.
9. Protects from Free radicals
Dates are rich in antioxidants, including vitamin E, beta carotene, and flavonoids. These compounds protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
10. Reduces Risk of Cancer
Adding dates to your dog’s diet may reduce his risk of developing cancer. A study published in the journal Nutrition & Cancer suggests that diets containing at least 2 grams of dietary fiber per day might decrease the risk of certain cancers.
11. Good for the Brain
According to the results of an animal-based experiment, date fruits were found to be effective for improving memory functions and learning abilities. On the one hand, animals who didn’t eat the fruits showed lower abilities for these cognitive functions.
Are Dates Bad for Dogs? Potential Risks to Worry About When Feeding Dogs Dates?
Here are some health concerns when feeding dates to dogs:
- Dates are high in sugar.
Sweet-toothed dogs enjoy dates since they contain natural sugars. However, excessive indulgence should never be encouraged, as this could lead to certain health issues developing, including high blood sugar levels, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity among others.
Unhealthy side effects may result if dates are consumed excessively, such as elevated blood sugar levels, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and even heart disease.
Note that one date contains 16g of sugar, which is quite high for canines. Therefore, limit your dog’s intake of dates to prevent him from becoming overweight.
- Dates have high fiber content.
Like natural sugars, dietary fiber is harmful to canines if eaten in excess. It can cause diarrhea and upset stomach, among other digestive disorders. This is another reason you shouldn’t feed your dog too many dates.
- Date seeds are choking hazards.
We mentioned earlier that dates have big, hard seeds inside them. These seeds can cause stomach obstructions, and even choke your dog if he swallows them whole.
For safety purposes, remove the pits from dates before giving them to your dog. Unfortunately, date seeds do not include cyanide, which can sometimes be found in other seeds.
Can Dogs eat Dates Safely? How to feed Dates to Dogs
Dates are safe for your dog to eat in moderation. Balance your dog‘s nutrition by only feeding him this dried fruits occasionally.
To ensure this new food is healthy for your dog, follow these rules when giving dates to your dog:
- Watch your dog’s reaction. If your dog experiences diarrhea, vomiting, or other gastrointestinal problems after eating dates, he may be reacting to the dates. Avoid serving him dates again until you determine whether his symptoms improve.
- Check the pits. Serving your dog date pit can lead to choking or blockages in the intestines, especially with smaller dogs who tend to eat faster. Do not serve your dog date pits.
- Know your dog’s tolerance to sugar. Dates contain natural sugars, but they also have a lot of calories. If your dog is sensitive to sugar, limit the amount of dates he eats at once.
- Break the dates into smaller pieces for digestion. If your dog tends to gobble down his food fast, break the dates into smaller pieces so he doesn’t swallow them all at once. This will prevent him from overeating and causing indigestion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs have Medjool dates?
-Yes! Dogs love them too! They’re great for training and they also help keep your dog healthy. The best way to feed your dog dates is to cut them into small pieces and put them in his food bowl. If he eats them whole, they’ll be too big for him to swallow.
Do dates Causes dogs diarrhea?
-Yes, they do! Dogs usually don’t eat too much at one meal, so when they eat a lot of food in one sitting, they may experience loose stools. If you notice any signs of diarrhea, such as vomiting, lethargy, or dehydration, call your vet right away.
Are dates toxic to dogs?
-Dates are toxic for dogs when they eat them raw. The seeds contain cyanide which causes vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. Dogs should be fed cooked fruit instead.
Are dates and figs good for dogs?
-Dates and figs are great treats for dogs because they contain calcium, which helps build strong bones and teeth. They also provide vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D, E, K, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, iron, selenium, iodine, and pantothenic acid.
Can dogs eat almonds and dates?
-Yes, they can! Almonds contain healthy fats and protein, while dates are high in fiber and potassium. If you feed them both together, they’ll be full for longer.
Do dates make dogs poop?
-Dates do not make dogs poop. However, they may cause diarrhea in some dogs. If you notice any changes in your dog’s behavior after eating dates, contact your veterinarian immediately.
How many dates can I give my dog?
-Your pet shouldn’t eat treats for more than 10% of his/her total daily diet. So, we suggest sticking with giving your dog one to two dates every week, but if your dog is small enough, then go for two dates per week instead.
Can dogs eat dates and coconut?
-Yes, they can eat dates and coconut! Dates contain fiber, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, vitamin B6, and folate. Coconut contains fiber, potassium, magnesium and manganese. Both fruits are rich sources of antioxidants.
Also Read : can dogs eat Nuts?
Conclusion
In conclusion, yes, dogs can eat dates. Dates are delicious snacks for dogs. They are very nutritious and beneficial for your dog’s health. Dogs may have trouble digesting them, but if you give them in small amounts , they won’t suffer any ill effects. Just remember to cut off the pits before giving them the fruit.
