Can Dogs Eat Dates Safely? Dig Into The 6 Safe Fruits For Doggos And Discover Why Dates Rock!
Can dogs eat dates safely and what are they exactly? These are exotic fruits native to the Middle East, Mexico, Pakistan, India, and even the US states of Arizona and California! They can grow anywhere in a warm, humid, and sunny climate. They have many health properties like fiber, vitamins A, B, and C, do not contain any bad cholesterol, and are a great addition to any healthy diet as they are low in fat. It is completely safe for humans to enjoy them in moderation.
Now, what about our four-legged buds? Can dogs eat dates safely? We will look into answering this question, but for now, let’s discuss all the canine-safe fruits for pet parents’ general knowledge. This way they will know which ones they can share with their mutts worry-free.
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Pooch-Safe Fruits
Strawberries
Most berries are ok for dogs to eat. This juicy, flavor-packed berry contains a wide spectrum of vitamins such as C, B, and K as well as fiber, potassium, and folic acid. The latter is very beneficial for doggie mommas-to-be. However, don’t give out too many strawberries at a time, half of a berry should be enough as an occasional sweet snack.
Raspberries
A sweet yummy treat that a furry friend will be begging for! You don’t have to give too many, a few berries are great to use as training snacks when teaching your mischief how to behave. They can be rightfully called “strawberries’ first cousin” since they have pretty much the same nutrients as their red juicy counterpart.
Cranberries
Another red-colored power fruit contains great amounts of vitamin C, fiber, magnesium, as well as antioxidants which all help fight urinary tract infections, stomach ulcers, and even cancer. A few berries should be plenty for your cute furry friend.
Apples
Super crunchy, sweet/sour fruit has many essential vitamins, with the most abundant being vitamin C. Have you heard the expression “One apple a day keeps a doctor away?” It is very close to the truth since vitamin C boosts one’s immunity (especially during winter months), fiber helps keep your gut working like a clock, and potassium keeps your nervous system up and running smoothly while also cleaning your body of waste products. Dogs can’t resist the crunchiness and juiciness of an apple! Hence it can serve as a great reward tool for a well-behaved mutt.
Bananas
Are superabundant in potassium, which is a building block for healthy nerves, a strong heart, and great immunity, while also helping your body build muscle mass. It is the best snack to have before and/or after a workout as it keeps an athlete satisfied for a productive training session. The only downside is that it does contain a lot of fructose, therefore should not be given to a pooch very often. Some mutts who are prone to diabetes should steer clear of eating it altogether.
Pineapples
Pineapple can be confidently proclaimed a nutrient goldmine! From being a multivitamin “bomb” to having riboflavin, niacin, and thiamin, as well as an abundance of minerals like magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and potassium you can’t go wrong with feeding your hound a few slices of the “king” fruit once in a while. Again, as in the case with bananas, you cannot administer pineapples to a fluffy pal very often, just keep it as an occasional tasty snack. Diabetic/obese dogs should completely refrain from having it as it contains high amounts of natural sugar.
Now, what about dates? Can dogs eat dates safely?
Can Dogs Eat Dates Safely?
Now, speaking of dates for dogs and their benefits: yes, they are ok to eat as long as your mutt doesn’t indulge in too many. As long as an owner keeps the portions to 2 or less, a pet shouldn’t have any reactions. It is very beneficial for any four-legged to munch on some of the exotic Middle Eastern fruit as it has a lot of nutrients: vitamins, fiber, and calcium, and is a great dietary option for those who want to snack on a low-calorie treat.
Yet, if a mutt is known to have allergies to any of the aforementioned fruits, administer dates in moderation. Start with slicing a piece in half and give one of the halves to an anxiously waiting doggo pal. No reaction followed after a few hours? Then you can give it the other half for sure.
Curl-Up
I hope you found the topic we discussed “Can dogs eat dates safely?” informative and now you can occasionally give out the fruits we have mentioned as a once in a while treat to a gourmand buddy. It all depends on what a mutt likes, and what suits its tastebuds. If your pal has any blood sugar spikes, has diabetes, or is obese, it is probably best to steer clear of any fruits containing a large amount of fructose, like bananas, pineapples, prunes, and dates.
Don’t want any “dates” with a vet’s office? Cross dates off the snack list then. In any case, consult a vet if you are unsure of any new treats you are planning to share with a furry friend. Better be safe than sorry!
Related Reading: Can Dogs Eat Fruit Roll-Ups?
FAQs
Don’t worry, nothing extraordinary is going to happen if a pooch eats a date. These fruits are not toxic to dogs, unlike grapes or the leek family plants like garlic and onion. One or two are completely fine as a dog snack. However, more than 2 could potentially lead to an upset tummy, diarrhea, puking, and restlessness. The latter comes from a high sugar content dates have. Therefore, having too many exotic fruits can raise blood sugar levels to dangerous highs and be the reason for canine diabetes down the road. It is best to only give your pooch one or two at a time, no more than that. If you let it have more, it can have serious consequences like stomach cramps, loose stool, bloodshed eyes, vomiting, and even anaphylactic shock (if a mutt happens to be allergic to dates). No, unless you administer more than two dates at a time. This exotic fruit has many benefits like vitamins, high fiber content, and is low in cholesterol. Hence, will actually benefit a pooch who is on its way to losing those few extra pounds. Yet, too many (more than 3) can cause all sorts of digestive tract problems and even lead to severe allergic reactions in some canines (like Pugs, for instance, who are allergic to anything and everything, it seems like).What happens if a dog eats a date?
How many dates can a dog eat?
Will dates hurt dogs?
Family Dog Expert Author
Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.