Can Dogs Eat Figs? A Vet’s Opinion
Figs are edible fruits, a cluster of seeds and flowers inside a bulbous stem. The fig is characterized as a fruit and has many nutritional benefits. Figs are also called the poor man’s food. These soft tears-shaped fruits are eaten fresh or dried. They are used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes, but can you feed figs to your dogs?
Yes, your dog can eat figs however, its quantity needs to be monitored. Figs contain a lot of essential nutrients and minerals, which are beneficial for your dog’s health. Some of them are fiber, potassium, and calcium.
Let’s dive in:
Benefits Of Figs For Dogs
There are many benefits of giving figs to your dogs in their meals. There are many minerals and nutrients present in figs. Figs are abundant in calcium, which is why they must be incorporated into your pooch’s diet. Calcium is a vital mineral for dogs because it helps their bones become stronger and stays stronger as they get older. Calcium is also vital for those solid canine teeth, as your pet needs them to chew on fruits and meat! Figs also contain a lot of dietary fiber, which is something your pet will need for a healthy digestive system. Fibre and water help regulate your dog’s bowel movements so that they can eat, digest and pass stool successfully. Bowel movement diseases can be excruciating for dogs, as with any other animal. Moreover, fibrous foods like figs also help alleviate constipation in your dogs.
Moreover, figs contain a lot of natural sugars, which means that they can be used as treats to train your dog or reward them. Artificial treats contain sweeteners or processed sugars, which are not suitable types of sugar, you would want your dog to eat. High blood pressure is a relatively common type of disease that can plague your dog and have an impact on its well-being. One mineral which helps with the regulation of blood pressure is potassium, and guess what? Figs are a common and abundant source of potassium, hence must be added to your dog’s daily meals. Figs are a great source of nutrients and minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K.
How To Safely Give Figs To Dogs
Figs are already small in size, but you should cut them up into bite-sized pieces for your dog and mix them into their meals so that they can easily consume them. If your dog is small, e.g., a Shih Tzu, ensure that their pieces are even smaller; otherwise, it can become a choking hazard for them. Moreover, make sure that the figs you choose to give to your dogs are fresh.
Dried figs are usually not recommended for your dogs since they can be challenging to eat and can be a choking hazard. We will also recommend you not give your dogs canned figs since they contain syrups that are high in sugars as well as preservatives, which might cause your dog’s stomach to be upset. Only opt for fresh digs for your dogs. There is a chance that your dog might be allergic to figs, hence it would be best to give them small proportions of figs in their daily meals before the recommended servings so that their digestive system can adapt well to them, and you can look out for any allergies meanwhile!
Will Figs Make A Dog Sick?
Figs should be given in moderation to your dog due to the fact that they contain a lot of natural sugars, so they can cause obesity in your dogs if given more than the recommended servings. Figs also contain fiber, so excessive consumption may lead to unhealthy bowel movements, loose stools, and weakness in your dogs. Ensure that you only give your dogs properly measured foods so that the excess or lack of anything doesn’t upset their stomach or cause other ailments.
However, there is another essential thing to note about giving figs to your dogs. Figs themselves are nutritious for your dogs. However, the fig tree plant is not. This plant is highly toxic for your dog and if your pup comes into contact with it, it might experience a lot of discomfort. Fig poisoning is widespread among dogs since owners think that since the fruit isn’t toxic, the plant won’t be either. However, this is far from the truth, since the leaves, branches, and bark of a Ficus tree are poisonous for your pooch. It would be best if you always made sure that the figs you give to your dog are appropriately washed and do not have any leaves or branches attached to them. Fig tree poisoning is a severe condition as it can cause your dogs to experience symptoms like severe skin irritation, rashes, and drooling. In severe cases, fig tree poisoning can be known to cause death among dogs.
Vet’s Summary
Figs are fruits that contain seeds and flowers inside a bulbous stem. They are a great source of minerals and vitamins like calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Figs are also a rich source of fiber, which is essential for gut health. Figs must be given fresh to your dogs and cut into bite-sized pieces to avoid choking. It is best to avoid canned and dried figs. Figs, however, must be given in moderation; otherwise, they might cause problems like constipation and diarrhea. Fig tree plant is highly poisonous, its branches, leaves, and stem must not be given along with the figs to your dogs. Fig tree poisoning can be life-threatening. Apart from figs, make sure to include a lot of probiotics in your dog’s diet, as they are essential for improved gut health. Probiotics are good bacteria that reside in the gut of your dog. These bacteria play an essential role in the digestion and absorption of medicines and help protect the gut lining! Hence, make sure to incorporate probiotics into your dog’s diet.
Videos To Watch
If you are wondering tjhat figs are good to give your dog or not, watch this:
And if you want to know what a dog can NOT eat, watch this:
