Yes, dogs can eat figs in moderation. Fig fruits are known for their red fleshy inside and their thin purple or green skins.
Besides being entirely edible, fig fruits have excellent nutritional benefits to humans.
They help in the treatment and effective functioning of their digestive, reproductive, endocrine, and respiratory systems.
Yes, dogs can eat Figs in moderation, occasionally.
Figs are high in dietary fiber. You may want to limit the number of figs you give your dog so they don’t experience stomach issues. Fig leaves contain a sap that often causes allergic reactions when consumed.
The essential nutrients this fruit supply include vitamin A, C, K, B vitamins, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, and iron.
But, are figs equally nutritious and beneficial to dogs?
If dogs eat them, will they get similar health benefits as humans?
What happens when you feed figs to your dog?
Figs are popular all over the world, and this has been the case for many centuries.
Other than the nutritional and health benefits associated with consuming this fruit, their popularity is attributable to their tastiness.
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These, coupled with the fact that they can be consumed both in dry and raw forms and as juice add to their appeal.
Can dogs Eat Figs?
If you have a dog for a best friend, you would want to share treasured moments, including meals.
When having your fig fruits as a dessert or as a snack, you would want to share the figs with your furry canine. But is it healthy for the dog?
Unsurprisingly, this question is quite common among dog owners. There is a high likelihood that you will encounter this question on the various forums discussing dog issues.
Some dog owners love sharing figs with their dogs, while others do everything possible to keep their dog away from the fruit.
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If you find yourself at crossroads wondering where it is safe to share your figs with your dog, the best thing is to get informed on the benefits and risks associated with dogs consuming figs.
In this post, we explore these benefits and risks and hope to give you a concrete answer to help you and your dog.
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Feeding Figs to your dog
Figs are not dangerous to your dogs. They are equally nutritious to dogs as they are to humans.
The fruits provide a great source of natural sugar for your canine, which helps give it energy for playtime. If your dog is very active, figs are great to help keep them energized.
Additionally, they provide your dog with dietary fiber, which helps in regulating bowel movements.
If your dog is constipating, a fig fruit will go a long way in helping with the situation. The fiber is also helpful for weight management.
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As mentioned, figs are also rich in potassium. Potassium can help regulate the blood pressure of your dogs.
Therefore, if your dog experiences high blood pressure, figs are helpful to regulate their blood pressure level.
How Many figs can I feed my dog?
Dogs are canines. This means that you should moderate the number of vegetables and fruits that you feed to them for a healthy diet.
You should not give your dog too many figs. Most of your dog should have two figs in a week.
However, there are other factors you also have to observe, like the age and size of your dog.
If your dog is big, two figs will not cause any harm. If they are small, limit the consumption to one fig in a week.
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Side effects of eating figs to your dog
Most dogs should not experience any issues or health complications when they consume the right amount of figs.
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But, some dogs are more sensitive and may be allergic to figs. In most cases, two enzymes – ficusin and ficain, usually trigger these side effects.
These enzymes are potent, and some dogs’ stomachs may not be able to handle them.
The main symptoms to look out for to know whether your dog is allergic to figs include:
- Rash in the mouth or on the skin
- Sneezing
- Vomiting
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Itchiness in the eyes
If you notice that your dog exhibits any of these symptoms after consuming figs, stop feeding the fruits to your dog immediately. If the symptoms are not severe, you don’t need to panic.
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They will fade away within a few days. However, if you notice that the symptoms are getting worse, rush your dog to the vet immediately for treatment.
What about fig leaves?
Other than the allergic reactions, fig poisoning is also a risk your dog faces when they consume fig leaves.
You will find some vets claiming that figs leaves are not harmful or toxic to the health of dogs. That is not true.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the consumption of the fig leaves can result in life-threatening toxicity.
Fig leaves contain a sap that often causes allergic reactions when humans consume them. They are equally harmful to dogs.
Therefore, if you have a fig tree in your backyard, ensure to keep your dog from eating its leaves.
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What should you do if your dog has already consumed fig leaves?
If you find that it is already too late and your dog already has fig poisoning from consuming fig leaves, treat that as an emergency. This severe health issue needs to be addressed by a vet.
It also advisable that as you take your dog to the vet, if possible, take a sample of the plant with you.
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The sample will make it easier for the vet to help confirm what caused the poisoning and to know the right medication to administer to your furry canine.
Also, if you know the amount of fig leaves your dog has consumed, provide that information to the vet as that will help inform the medication to administer to the dog.
The faster you get your dog for treatment, the sooner you will get it feeling great and energetic.
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How to treat Fig poisoning
The strategies used to treat fig poisoning vary. Ideally, the first step usually is to get the dog to vomit the sap to remove the toxins from the dog’s belly.
The next step is for the vet to ensure that the remnants of the sap in the dog’s system do not get absorbed. Often this is done by giving the dog activated charcoal.
Other follow-up procedures include cleaning the dog’s mouth in the inside and outside to ensure you wash off the sap residue.
In most instances, your dog may require a complete body bath. Your vet may need to give your dog intravenous fluids if the poisoning is severe.
In addition to countering the effects of any absorbed toxins, these fluids help keep the dog hydrated while supporting the proper functioning of their kidney and urinal system.
How to give figs to your dog
As mentioned earlier, the most figs you can feed your dog is one to two in a week, depending on their age and size.
The best forms with which you should serve them to your dog are when they are fresh or raw. Get the figs and cut them into smaller pieces that are easy to chew.
Do not offer your dog baked or dried figs as these have a high sugar content that is not good for their health. Remember to limit the quantity.
If you are giving your furry canine the figs for the first time, it is best to let them grow into it. Start by giving them small pieces and see whether they will exhibit any form of reaction.
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If they have any allergies exhibited through symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, you can proceed to increase the quantity slowly.
Choosing fresh figs to feed your dog
How do you choose the freshest figs to give to your dog?
Naturally, figs go rotten very fast. Within a couple of days, they are not healthy to consume.
Only harvest or buy fig fruits when you want to feed them to your dog. The most you can stay with them for two days. Keep them refrigerated to avoid them going bad.
Also, make a point of removing and discarding the stem, then cleaning the fresh figs before feeding them to your dog.
Alternatives for figs for your dog
If you decide not to feed figs to your dog, or if your dog is allergic to figs, you can consider other alternative fruits. The options are plenty, especially given that most fruits are good for dogs.
Apples
Apples are a great alternative considering they are delicious, nutritious, and readily available.
They are also low in calories and have no cholesterol that may be harmful to the health of your dog. Remember to remove the core and the seeds before feeding apples to your dog.
Blackberries
Blackberries are high in antioxidants, vitamin A and vitamin C. They are great for giving your dog a robust immune system. Other fruits include blueberries, raspberries, oranges, mangoes, bananas, and cranberries.
Conclusion
Yes, dogs can eat figs. However, their consumption of figs should be strictly regulated to avoid them affecting the health of your dog.
