Can Dogs Have Dates

We know grapes and raisins are toxic for dogs. Meanwhile, we consider dates like raisins, as both are dry fruits. That’s why most dog owners have a common question: Can dogs have dates?

Luckily, dogs can have dates as long as they eat them in small amounts. They can even get many health benefits from a few dates.

Before sharing these dry fruits with our canine friends, we need to exercise some caution. Like making them bite-sized pieces, removing the pit, considering the health condition of dogs, and so on. This article will help you relate to such safety concerns.

Can Dogs Have Dates?

Like us, dogs can also enjoy the taste and nutrients of dates. They have no toxins but are loaded with nutrients like B vitamins, iron, fibre, magnesium, antioxidant properties, and many more minerals. It is only the pit of the date that can harm dogs. Besides, they should have them in small quantities to avoid potential side effects. If you want your dog to get the beat out of a date, let him eat it occasionally and under his vet’s guidance.

Benefits Of Having Dates For Dogs

Dates can be beneficial for dogs when they eat them in proper quantities. They contain B vitamins, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, and fibre.

The B vitamins are great for eye health, nervous system, joint health, haemoglobin level, hormonal level, brain health, and so on. Again, their iron can help with your dog’s body development and muscle health. Copper will promote dogs’ red blood cells and skeletal growth. Magnesium will reduce their risk of heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, and many more diseases. Manganese is another superb nutrient in dates that supports joint health and bone health. This nutrient is a boon for dogs dealing with arthritis.

For good amounts of fibre, we usually rely on dates. It is because they help regulate the bowel movement and prevent constipation.

One bonus that dates give is their taste. They have a type of natural sugar called fructose. If your dog needs to put on some weight, dates can be a good addition to his diet. Also, its taste can satisfy dogs.

The minerals present in dates have some antioxidant properties, such as polyphenols. They can keep dogs away from the damage of free radicals and cardiovascular diseases.

Risks Of Having Dates For Dogs

Your paw friend may experience some health risks from eating dates if he doesn’t do that in the right way. For example, there is a stone-like pit inside dates, which everyone should remove before eating them. Dogs, being curious animals, can most probably consume dates along with pits. This can cause choking hazards or intestinal blockages. For small breeds, eating the pit can be more dangerous as their oesophagus is small.

As said earlier, dates contain high amounts of fructose, a natural sugar. The more a dog eats dates, the more he ingests fructose. This can result in obesity or weight gain. It means dates can be a risky option for diabetic dogs. Its sugar can be somewhat responsible for increasing the blood sugar level.

Dates are a good source of fibre too. If a dog eats too many dates, he will have too much fibre. And we know fibre’s job is to soften the stool. Hence, a dog dealing with an upset stomach will have worse conditions from eating dates.

The common symptoms that dogs show from eating too many dates are vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. The more dates they consume, the more severe the reactions will be. Besides, smaller breeds will have more side effects from the number of dates that could have fewer effects on larger breeds

Fresh dates are tooth-chipping, which can cause plaque. Hence, these dry fruits can be somewhat responsible for tooth decay in dogs.

How To Offer Dates To Dogs?

Dogs should only have fresh or dried dates that are under warranty. Before you offer them to your dogs, wash them first with clean water. There is no need to peel off the date’s skin, as it is safe to consume. Next, tear apart the date and remove its pit. Now cut it into bite-sized pieces so that your dog can escape choking hazards and tooth-chipping.

You may add the pieces of date with other fruits or as toppings on dog food. Do not add anything to enhance the taste of the date, such as cream or dairy products. If your canine friend wants to have the pieces of the date alone, that won’t be a problem either.

How Many Dates Can Dogs Have?

Before we decide how many dates our dogs can have, we have to know if they can have them. For that, you have to first let your paw friend eat one tiny piece of a date. If he is comfortable after eating that particular piece, offer him another piece.

Now, how many dates can a dog have? Well, it depends on what breed your dog is. If his size is extra-small, like pigs and yorkies, he can have ¼ of a date. Again, small dogs, like beagles and basenjis, can have ½ of a date. Medium dogs, like Border Collies and Basset Houndscan, should not have more than one date. Large dogs, like German Shepherds and Pit Bulls, can eat 1 ½ dates. Lastly, extra-large dogs, like Great Pyrenees and Newfoundlands, can eat up to two dates.

When Can Dogs Have Dates?

Feeding dates for dogs require some exceptions. For example, dates are high in sucrose, which is not good for diabetic or overweight dogs. It means you should offer them these dry fruits when they need weight and are free from diabetes. Dates are also high in fibre, which can be a good source for dogs with constipation. It would be better if a dog with an upset stomach avoided it.

Even if a dog does not have diabetes but is struggling with blood sugar levels, dates are not for him.

Some dogs can’t withstand dates, especially when they are allergic to plant-based foods. In that case, you also can’t feed them dates.

Let’s say your dog is not diabetic, not allergic, not overweight, or does not have any complications. In short, he is healthy enough to eat dates. Yet, you will need to ask your vet before introducing him to any food.

Frequently Asked Questions: Can Dogs Have Dates?

Can dogs eat dates every day?

Dogs should not eat dates every day as they have high amounts of fructose and fibre. They are only good for them as occasional treats.

Why are dates better than raisins for dogs?

Raisins come from grapes, and grapes are toxic for dogs. On the other hand, dates come from date palms, which are not toxic to dogs. However, dates can be harmful for them if taken in large quantities.

What happens if a dog eats date seeds?

Eating a date’s seed can cause intestinal blockage in dogs. This can also result in weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, and so on.

Are dates safe for dogs?

Dates are safe for healthy dogs in smaller quantities. They won’t be safe for dogs who are diabetic or have blood sugar issues. It is because dates are high in sugar (fructose) content.

Final Verdict

Since dates pose some health risks, we may wonder, Can dogs have dates? The answer is yes; they can have dates in small amounts if they are not diabetic, not allergic, not eating their pit, and are under their vets’ guidance.

Sometimes, dogs get so engrossed with the taste of dates that they keep eating them. This can disrupt their health, and their initial symptoms could be vomiting and diarrhoea. In such cases, you must observe their symptoms and inform their vet about them. Then offer your dog the required medications prescribed by the doctor.