I don’t know about you, but my dogs want to eat anything and everything; as soon as they hear me moving around in the kitchen, they’re there in a shot, tails wagging and tongues drooling.
I’m sure they think they’re my official food tasters and they will save me from a potential assassination attempt.
The other day I had got my hands on a small packet of dates and right on cue, my dogs barreled into the kitchen fighting amongst themselves for who would get in first.
Usually, I give them a taste of what I’m preparing without hesitation but with dates, I wasn’t sure if they were safe for my dogs. Can dogs eat dates?
The quick answer is YES.
After doing a bit of research and making a quick call to my local veterinarian, I can safely say that giving dates to your dog is perfectly okay – in fact, your dog could benefit from a few dates now and then.
Dates don’t contain any toxic ingredients that are harmful to your dog. So yes, you can reward your dog by feeding them dates for good behavior.
However, allowing your dog to eat too many dates could result in your pooch having a bout of diarrhea due to the high fiber content of the dates.
Just remember, moderation is the key.
Here are some more nutritional benefits.
Feeding Dates to Your Dog – Nutritional Benefits
Your dog’s health can definitely get a boost if you feed them this versatile and nutritious snack.
These bite-sized fruits grown on Palm trees are packed full of vitamins, fiber, and much-needed minerals.
Another plus for your dog is that dates are easily digested, meaning that your dog’s digestive system can absorb all the vital nutrients found locked inside a date – nothing goes to waste.
The high fiber content (in moderation) will aid in a healthy digestive system and will allow for the smooth movement of waste through your dog’s colon.
If your dog has watery stools, adding more fiber to their diet may help to solidify the stool.
The high fiber found in dates can also slow the absorption of sugar and help improve and stabilize blood sugar levels in your dog, which is especially beneficial if your dog is suffering from diabetes.
Apart from fiber, dates also contain vast amounts of natural vitamins and minerals that your dog will definitely benefit from, such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, copper, and zinc, along with vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, and C.
As you can see feeding your dog dates provide many health benefits, also they’re low fat, contain very little cholesterol and the natural sugar content can perk up the sleepiest of dogs.
Things To Consider Before Giving Dates To Your Dog
Can dates be harmful to my dog? Directly feeding dates to your dog will not cause any serious health problems. As we’ve already pointed out above, dates come packed with many health benefits.
However, even though dates have an impressive nutritional profile, dates do contain high levels of sugar.
Feeding your dog large amounts of dates regularly isn’t a good idea and can lead to a whole host of problems, such as diabetes, obesity, and even dental problems later on in life.
Your dog is susceptible to the same things as we are, so try to keep sugary treats to a minimum.
Although very rare, there is a small chance that your dog could be allergic to Dates.
Although Dates isn’t a well-known allergen, we still strongly suggest that you cut a small piece from the date and feed that to your dog first.
This should be common sense, but it’s worth mentioning, just in case you’re not sure. Dates contain pits in the center always remove those before allowing your dog to eat the Date.
Even though the pit is not toxic, it can cause stomach or digestion problems and could potentially be a choking hazard.
As we already mentioned, Dates are high in fiber, and feeding too many dates to your dog could cause an upset stomach and diarrhea.
The Last Word on Dogs Eating Dates
So, “Can dogs eat dates?” Absolutely!
I hope that after reading through this article, you have a better understanding of the benefits of feeding dates to your dog.
Remember, moderation is key, and the first time you give dates to your dog, start off small to see if your pooch has any adverse reactions.
As we pointed out, dates aren’t a well-known allergen, but every dog is different.
We recommend that you feed dates to your dog as a reward or a special treat occasionally – they shouldn’t become part of their regular diet due to the high sugar content; their regular wet or dry dog food is all they need for a well-balanced diet.
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