I know most of us like slipping some tasty, human-specific treats to our dogs now and then though this might not essentially be the best for their diet!
But of course, we don’t ever want to feed them something that might be potentially harmful. This is why we must check in on whatever is on our plate before handing it out to them.
For instance, I love dates since they can be a nutritious substitute whenever I crave something sweet but are they healthy for our furry friend?
Can dogs eat dates? Well, this is something we are about to find out! If you want to know the answer, then please keep on reading below.
Is It Safe For Your Dogs To Eat Dates?
The good news is that the answer to your question “Can a dog eat dates?” is an absolute YES! Dates are safe for dogs.
There are even health benefits of feeding dates to your dog. Here are some of it:
1. They are rich in essential nutrients.
Dates are packed with vitamins and minerals that are good for your dog’s wellness, like Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, C, Zinc, Calcium, Potassium, Copper, Iron, and so much more. These vitamins are very important in boosting the immune system of your dog. Vitamin C, for instance, can help your pet fight off various infections to keep her healthy and energetic.
On the other hand, potassium is also a very important mineral for your dog’s cardiovascular health. Dates can help regulate your dog’s blood pressure and help avoid your puppy’s chances of any irregular heartbeats. Iron, Zinc, and copper are also beneficial to your dog’s bone health and strength.
2. They come with naturally-occurring sugars.
Isn’t it sad that a dog can never experience the joy and goodness of eating chocolates? Fortunately, dates can be a healthy alternative to let your pup enjoy sweets. Dates contain high levels of fructose, sucrose, and glucose which are all naturally occurring sugars.
This also means that dates can boost the energy of your dog in an instant. You feed your dog with dates whenever you are playing, or training will make her more alive or active.
3. They are rich in carbohydrates
Dates contain a high amount of carbohydrates which can be a good source of energy. Hence, dates are an excellent food that you can use to boost your dog’s energy. But if you have a puppy that is already too energetic to handle, then you might want to skip giving her some dates.
4. They are rich in fiber
Though this may not be an essential nutrient for dogs, it still has some health advantages like supporting normal and healthy digestion in an all-natural and organic way to prevent constipation and diarrhea.
So the next time you play with or train with your pup, dates could be the perfect reward rather than giving her unhealthy snacks or bones; it is not only tasty but, of course, nutritious enough. Moreover, you can also feed dates to your dog when you are trying to cheer her up whenever you think she is feeling down; we are not the only ones who love to be pampered with delicious treats when life gets tough.
But just a little reminder, you should not confuse dates with raisins. Both may look the same, but they are different. Raisins are derived from dried grapes, while dates are harvested from date palm trees. Take note that raisins can be harmful to your dog.
Things to Consider When Feeding Your Dog With Dates
However, you need to follow some rules when giving dates to your dog.
- First of all, you should not feed your dog with a large amount of dates in just one sitting as this could upset your dog’s stomach that might even lead to diarrhea. Take note as well that dates have high sugar content so your dog will most likely become hyperactive after eating too much of it.
- Though it is safe to occasionally give your pooch a few dates, it is definitely not recommended to do that every day. Dates are extremely high in sugar, as I already mentioned, 60 to 70% of it is made of it is sugar. Regularly feeding your dog with food that is high in sugar can really be bad for your dog’s teeth and can even lead to obesity.
- Make sure you remove the pit first before giving the date to your dog. Though the dates’ pits seem to be free from poisonous cyanide unlike several other fruit pits, they can be harmful and could possibly get lodged in your dog’s intestinal tract.
Now how do we know that our dog has had too many dates? As I said, dates are a great treat now and then, but too much of it can cause some distress to your dog. For instance, since dates are pretty high in fiber, the first sign that your dog has had too many dates is a lot of digestive distress. Your dog might start to vomit, have unlikely bowel habits or start to develop nausea too.
Your dog might also have a spike in her blood pressure if she had too many dates. This is because of the high sugar content of dates. If this happens, you might notice your dog be behaving strangely, like being hyperactive, getting extra-thirsty, developing bloodshot eyes, or probably losing interest in eating at all.
Too many dates can lead to unwanted weight gain as well. So if you are starting to notice your dog is becoming heavier and lethargic than usual, then you might want to minimize feeding her with dates.
Final Thought
So there you have it, the answer to one of the most intriguing questions, “Can a dog eat dates?” Isn’t it comforting that our dogs can get to enjoy a sweet treat that, at the same time, is high in vitamins and minerals? But remember that they should strictly be an occasional treat.
As responsible owners, we should not show any negligence in human fruit consumption by our dog. After all, these furry little balls are a part of our family. We must take care of them and keep their diet balanced.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my article for today, and you find it helpful. If you still have any more questions about your four-legged friend, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section below.
I would love to help you as much as I can. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends too!