Should You Let Your Dog Eat Figs

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One of our favorite summertime fruits is the delicious fig. If you are a dog owner, you probably noticed your dog loves to get a bite of anything you are eating. If that happens to be this fruit, you might have asked yourself, “Can dogs eat figs?” You will be glad to hear that dogs can eat them. However, there are a few things you should know before you freely share some of this delicious fruit with your dog.

Are figs safe for dogs?

Strictly speaking, figs are safe for dogs. That means your dog will not get poisoned by the fruit. In fact, they can offer plenty of benefits to dogs. However, too many can cause health issues for your dog. The key thing to remember about giving your dog figs is portion control. This fruit is rich in dietary fiber, and too much of it can cause some health issues like diarrhea or constipation.

How many figs can a dog eat?

The exact number of figs your dog can eat will depend on several things. Large dogs can eat more figs than small dogs, so make sure you adapt the portion to your dog’s size. Also, if your dog has a history of stomach issues, it would be best to avoid feeding them this delicious fruit. Because of the high fiber content, too many can cause gastrointestinal distress in dogs, which is a messy problem you don’t want to deal with. Here is a helpful guide about the safe number of figs to feed a dog.

• Toy breeds - ½ a per week
• Small breeds - 1 per week
• Medium breeds - 2 per week
• Large breeds - 3 per week
• Giant breeds - 3-4 per week

Are figs good for dogs?

If you feed your dog a safe number of figs, they can offer your dog some health benefits. Fruit is very healthy, and the benefits it can offer us are widely known. However, human and canine digestion systems are not the same, and we can eat things dogs cannot digest. Figs are not necessary for a dog’s diet, so make sure you strictly control the portions you give your dog. Here are some of the best things figs can offer our dogs;

• Dietary fiber - Dietary fiber is necessary for healthy digestion, but too much can cause issues. Fiber is excellent for dogs with diarrhea because it will soak up the moisture and add bulk to their stool.
• Potassium - Potassium is one of the essential minerals dogs need. It helps control nerve signals, muscle contractions, and fluid balance.
• Natural sugars - Figs are incredibly sweet because they are rich in natural sugars. These sugars will boost your dog’s energy quickly.
• Vitamin A - Vitamin A is crucial for your dog’s overall health. It boosts the immune system, helps the reproductive system, and aids the dog’s vision.
• Vitamin K - Vitamin K is another crucial vitamin that will help your dog’s overall well-being. It helps with blood clotting, bone metabolism, and regulating blood calcium.

Can figs be bad for dogs?

Unfortunately, there is a downside to feeding your dog this delicious fruit. Too much of it will definitely cause an upset stomach. Figs contain two enzymes - ficin and ficusin. These enzymes can be too much for your dog to handle, and they will cause them to start vomiting and get diarrhea. If you feed your dog the recommended number of figs, you should avoid these issues.

The second problem that can occur is fig poisoning. This issue is not related to the fig fruit but rather the fig plant, leaves, and sap. The plant is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, so make sure your dog cannot access it if you have a fig plant at home.

The third potential issue is allergies. This is not unique to this fruit. In fact, dogs can be allergic to different foods. It is crucial you give your dog only a tiny bite the first time you give them figs. Keep a close eye on your dog’s reaction for the next 24 hours. Some of the symptoms of fig allergies are;

• Itchiness
• Swelling
• Wheezing
• Vomiting
• Eye redness and itchiness
• Coughing

In conclusion

Figs are a delicious fruit humans love eating, especially during summer, when the fruit is fresh and fully ripen. Figs are safe for dogs, but there are a few things to look out for if you want to feed your dog figs. Make sure you talk to your vet before you decide to include anything new to your dog’s diet, and don’t feed too many figs to your dog. Too much of it will give your dog digestive issues.

World Dog Finder team