Can Dogs Eat Dates?
Dates are sweet fruits that you eat to indulge your sweet tooth. You might wonder if your furry friend can have some. Today, we will learn more about dates and if they are safe for dogs to eat.
What are the Dates?
They are a very sweet fruit that grows mainly in the deserts of the Middle East. The tree that bears the fruit resembles a palm tree and is referred to as the tree of life in some cultures.
Are Dates Safe for Dogs?
Dates are not toxic to dogs. They have various nutritional benefits to both humans and dogs. Nevertheless, anything sugary that you introduce to a dog should always be in moderation. Therefore, dates should be treated as an occasional treat that dogs can enjoy and not a regular snack.
Related: Excellent Dog Treats for Your Canine Friend
When feeding dates to your dog, you should always consider the dog’s size. You can opt to give your dog half to 2 dates in a day. Do not make this a daily habit for them; once or twice a week will get them the required nutritional benefits without any ill-health effects.
Nutritional Benefits of Dates
Some of the nutritional benefits of dates include:
- High Fiber – Fiber is good for a dog’s general health as it assists in digestion by mainly preventing constipation
- Antioxidants – Dates have antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties and reduce your dog’s risk of getting several diseases.
- Bone health – several minerals such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus are present in dates. They help in the development of healthy bones.
Hazards of Dates to Dogs
Though dates are safe for dogs, too much consumption can bring about multiple health issues. Dates have seeds and too much sugar, which can be dangerous to dogs. Below are some hazards that your dog may face from eating dates.
Choking
Dates come with seeds, which can choke your dog. Some grocery stores have dates that are already pitted. They are safe for dogs to consume. If the dates you bought are not pitted, you can easily remove the seeds yourself.
Diabetes and Weight Gain
Too much consumption of sugar by dogs can lead to unwanted weight gain. The excess sugar digested but not converted into energy for use is stored as fats.
Your dog regularly eating dates will significantly increase the fat content in their bodies, making them vulnerable to obesity. When dogs become obese, they have a poor quality of life as they can have various health issues such as:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Heart diseases
- Joint pain
Cavities
A bacteria known as a gluttonous colony feeds on sugar in the mouths of both humans and canines. Dates have a high sugar content that remains in your dog’s mouth. It makes the bacteria thrive, leaving acidic waste on the enamel of teeth. After a while, the enamel will erode, causing cavities.
Final Words
Dates are safe for dogs and a good natural sugar source. When giving them to your dog, ensure you get rid of the seeds. Avoid giving the fruit to your dog if it has diabetes, as it can be harmful to its health.
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