Dates are similar to raisins in appearance but they come from the date palm tree. It is the oldest fruit cultivated across the globe and has a sweet taste. Dates are loaded with essential minerals, vitamins, and fiber that can benefit you.
However, dogs don’t necessarily enjoy the same benefits of dates that humans enjoy. If you’re wondering, can dogs eat dates? Read on to clear out any confusion.
Can Dogs Consume Dates?
Dates are sweet treats for human beings as they have high sugar content. They are eaten fresh or used as a natural sweetener in shakes and sweet products. Dogs can eat dates but they should be consumed in moderation.
You can prepare homemade biscuits for your dog by adding dates but make sure that the number of dates you feed should be between one and three depending upon the dog’s physique. Don’t forget to remove the hard pit before giving the dates to the pooch or else they will choke. You can feed your dogs dates once or twice a week to avoid any stomach problems.
Are Dates Bad for Dogs?
Since dates are loaded with natural sugars, it can lead to weight gain if they aren’t consumed moderately, which can cause stomach problems. Apart from that, the dates should be free from pits to prevent internal blockage and choking in dogs. If you’re feeding your dog dates for the first time, give it a small amount just to be sure that it doesn’t have any allergies.
Dates are loaded with natural fibers that are good for dogs’ gut health, but if your dog eats a lot of dates, it can upset their stomach. Having foods loaded with fiber can ease constipation but too much fiber can cause diarrhea and digestive issues.
Moreover, dogs don’t need a high-sugar diet and an increased intake of sugary foods can make them hyperactive or, worse, cause diabetes and high blood pressure.
When dogs consume excessive sugar, they can suffer from oral hygiene problems such as teeth cavities. Although dates are small, you should feed them dates in moderation to prevent serious problems. Regardless of the size of the dog you have, the hard pit needs to be removed before feeding them. All you have to do is cut the date in half and pop the pit out. If your dog is obese or has diabetes, it’s best to avoid dates.
Are Dates Good for Dogs?
- Rich in Minerals and Vitamins
Dates are beneficial for the dogs if consumed moderately. The fiber ensures a functioning, healthy digestive system by firming up stools to prevent diarrhea and promoting bowel movement.
Moreover, they can satiate the hunger of the dogs. Dates are rich in potassium, magnesium, copper and manganese. Potassium is good for the muscles and keeps the heartbeat regular. They also balance the body fluids and boost up immunity. On the other hand, copper is good for strengthening the bones and tissues of dogs.
Magnesium helps in the absorption of minerals and vitamins while manganese creates enzymes that fire up metabolism and provide energy. You can find vitamin B6 in dates, a substance that helps maintain your dog’s overall health by repairing cellular damage, promoting healthy skin and functioning organs.
- Promote Energy
Dates can boost up the energy of the dogs, thanks to the presence of sugary contents such as glucose and sucrose. It’s a low-cholesterol sweet treat that gives nutrition to your dogs and ensures heart health. Replace the store-bought dog food with healthy dates. Since dates have the highest concentrations of antioxidants, they can fight against heart diseases and neural problems.
- Improves Brain Health
Studies have shown that eating dates increases learning capacity and memory function when compared with not eating them. Providing your dog with dates could improve its cognitive function and brain health.
Are Dates Poisonous for Dogs?
No, dates are completely safe for dogs. People often confuse dates with raisins, but the fruits differ from each other. Raisins and grapes are highly toxic for dogs because they can cause kidney failure or death in some cases. Dates, on the other hand, are completely healthy and don’t cause any health issues to dogs.
How to Train Dog to Consume Dates in Moderation
You should keep dates out of the reach of your dog. If you’ve placed the dates in the jar, they are more likely to get hold of the dates. You don’t want your dog to gorge on the dates so ensure that you’ve kept the jar out of the dog’s reach.
There are chances when your dog might get picky when it comes to food. If you’re feeding them dates and they don’t want to eat dog food, then that’s okay. You can leave the dog food till they can no longer control their hunger pangs. Remember that when your dog is extremely hungry, they won’t be picky and will consume anything available to them.
Also, if your dog accidentally ingests some dates that you don’t want them to eat, a good grasp of basic commands will be helpful. Ensure that they understand and respond well to “no,” “stop,” and “drop it.”
Signs That Your Dog Has Consumed Too Many Dates
You like to make sure that your dog is getting all the good foods they need, but you also probably want to treat your pup every once in a while. Dates are a good solution, but they can also cause your doggo some distress if it eats too many. For example, dates are pretty high in fiber.
That’s good unless they overdo it. The first sign that your dog has had too many dates is a bunch of digestive distress. We mean the messy, smelly, obvious kind. They might vomit, have strange bowel habits, or have nausea as well.
If your dog is hyperactive, has bloodshot eyes, or isn’t eating anything, they might have consumed too many dates. You’ll observe a rise in the dog’s blood pressure as dates are high in natural sugars.
Lastly, consuming too many dates can result in obesity. If your dog has gained massive weight all of a sudden, it’s time to cut off date consumption.
Conclusion
Yes, dogs can eat dates but you need to ensure that they consume them in moderation. At most, they can munch on a single date. You can add dates to the homemade dog food you prepare.
However, if your dog has a medical condition such as diabetes or obesity, it’s best to opt for alternative treats that don’t have high sugar content, such as apples, cucumbers and other fruits and vegetables. Make sure that your dog has a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet.
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