It is just natural for dog owners to want to spoil their dogs from time to time. Some would slip their dogs, delicious treats that make their dogs run with excitement to get that treat. Dogs love to have a few bites of treats, but it should not be harmful to them.
Any dog owners must check what they are giving their dogs for their goodies and see if the treats they are placing on their plates are safe.
One food, in particular, is dates. Can dogs eat dates? It is healthy for humans, and surprisingly, it can also be favorable for your dogs as a reward. However, It should not be given freely and anytime you choose, but instead, given in moderation. Below are some advantages of dates to your dogs.
High source of fiber
Dates are high in fiber and will benefit your dog’s digestive processes. Dietary fiber can provide him with healthy digestion and help him prevent constipation. Dates can help move the bowels faster and aid dogs who have a hard time with their bowel movement.
Plenty of Health Benefits
High levels of vitamins such as Vitamin A, and C can help avoid infection in your dogs. There is also riboflavin and calcium that are all beneficial.
Dates have plenty of antioxidants which means they can help reduce the risk of diseases and keep your dog in good health. Also, it is beneficial for the heart because of the high potassium content to help maintain your pet’s blood pressure.
Low Fat Treat
It is unlike other dog treats you may find in the market filled with fat, and flavor, dates will not give your dog some issue with cholesterol as well cause it does not have high-fat content.
A healthy level of natural sugar
Fructose, sucrose, and glucose in dates provide your dog the energy to keep them going during play and exercise. There is 50 to 70 percent of natural sugars found in a piece of date.
But there are some reminders when feeding your dogs dates.
It should be served in small amounts.
Do not give in to the urge of serving them the whole bag or a cupful of dates. It is not the right way to reward them with it.
Check for any allergies
See if they have any reaction to eating it. Give just a few to start with and see any allergic reactions. After a few minutes, if there are no reactions, it is safe to feed them.
Feed it to them as a treat or reward
You should only give it to them as a reward or a treat
for good behavior and not something you freely give any time you wish or substitute for any meal.
Some dates in the market are high in sugar and make your pet hyperactive.
Dates are not created equal, some may contain more sugar than others. So it is your job to ensure that the dates you are giving your pet do not have an excess of sugar. You can check by tasting a piece first, and if all is safe, you can then give a few pieces to your dog.
Regular feeding of dates can also lead to weight gain
Since dates do contain sugar, sometimes it can lead to weight gain in some dogs. It is doubly true if the dog is provided too much and not just a few pieces now and then. When your dog is also not getting enough exercise, and you are feeding them sugary treats, the outcome may not be as desirable, such as obesity.
Make sure to remove the pit
Yes, you are excited to give them the treat, but remember if you are giving it to a few-month-old dog, it can be dangerous when they choke on it. Dates have hard seeds, and can also cause gagging in your dog or create intestinal tract blockage.
See if the dates do not cause upset stomach in your pet
It is safe for your pets but let us not forget that some dogs may have a sensitive stomach and, if fed dates for the first time, may cause pain or discomfort. See how your dog reacts first and observe before serving them dates for their treats.
Why do dogs love this treat?
Dates have sugar in them, and it is natural for dogs to love them since dogs have a sweet tooth and have more capability to taste sweets than salty foods. They like it so much that they can also get addicted to the taste of sweets. Just like humans, when fed with too many sweets, they can gain weight and have health issues later.
Some dates in the market may have sulfites in them
Sulfites are sometimes added to dried fruit to enhance their shelf life and avoid the growth of harmful bacteria, though the addition of the substance is banned.
How much is a safe amount for your dog?
Your dog may bug you to feed them more of this treat, but you must not give in, instead, you should only give A piece or two at a time in safe intervals. When you give your dog dates often, this can cause a digestive upset as well, and since it has sugar, this may also cause them to be hyperactive.
What are symptoms of stomach upset caused by dates in your pet?
Although sulfites are banned in the processing of dates, you should still be mindful of the following signs of abdominal problems.
- Burping
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Loss of Appetite
- Bloating and discomfort
- Difficulty during bowel movement
What to do when this happens?
If you see signs of stomach upset in your pet you can either withhold food for 12 to 24 hours and serve them plenty of water. This will help their stomach settle before reintroducing any food in a small amount.
You can also check with the vet on what steps you can take to help your pet feel better – fast.
What are some samples of a well-known brand of dates that you can also give to your pets?
Medjool Dates
This brand of dates is safe for your dog. It is a healthy snack with just the right amount of sugar. Medjool dates are larger, and darker compared to other brands of dates. It has the same benefits, such as being high in vitamins and minerals. The texture is chewy and has a distinct caramel taste.
Deglet Noor
Smaller with firm flesh, just the right amount of sweetness, and a honey-colored, translucent and elongated appearance.
What are alternatives to dog treats?
Apples
Like dates, apples are high in fiber and also have antioxidants. If your dog also has a not-so-desirable breath, this will help freshen breath naturally. However, before feeding apples to your dog, ensure that there are no more core and seeds before you serve them to them. These parts can cause choking in dogs. Dogs love small slices of frozen apples, and they also favor applesauce which you can mix up quickly.
Some dogs may be allergic to apples, so ensure that your dog is not one of those who are. Apples also raise blood sugar, and if your dog has diabetes, this should not be on your dog’s list of treats.
Asparagus
Plain asparagus is great for dogs. The crunch will give them something to chew on for minutes. Asparagus is high in fiber, has copper, folate, vitamins, and plenty of antioxidants.
Cook the asparagus before serving it to your pet and do not add anything such as butter, oil, salt, or any other seasonings. Cut the asparagus into small pieces before serving to your dog.
Bananas
This fruit is also safe to feed to your dogs. It is likewise high in fiber, low in sodium, and without cholesterol, but it has high natural sugar content. If given in moderation, this is beneficial to them as well. Remove the peel before serving it to your dog.
You can dice bananas now and then and serve them to your dogs but refrain from getting the banana chips available in the market cause it is prepared with lots of sugar.
Berries
Blueberries, strawberries, cranberries are all safe except blackberries and raspberries that have a naturally occurring xylitol which is harmful to them. Likewise, gooseberries, serviceberries, salmonberries, and marionberries should be avoided.
Blueberries are fine, if in small quantities and not given as a regular treat. This fruit is high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and the ever beneficial fiber. Do not serve your dog with uncut blueberries cause it is also a choking hazard for them, particularly to a few-month-old pup. Never feed them with baked blueberry pies like muffins, and other desserts cause again, these foods are high in sugar and will not be helpful to your dog.
Broccoli
In small quantities, broccoli is helpful to your pets. Cut it into small pieces and serve to your dog occasionally. It is high in vitamin C, fiber and has low or almost no fat content. Again, the key is in serving them just a small amount of raw or cooked broccoli cause it contains isothiocyanates which can cause tummy discomfort in your dogs. When preparing broccoli, do not add any seasonings such as salt, garlic, butter, or pepper, leave it naturally tasting.
Carrots
The crunchy carrots are well-loved treats for dogs. Not only is it a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamin A and it is low in calories which is what your dog needs.
When serving your dog carrots, steamed or blanched carrots are alright to make it highly digestible. Sometimes when dogs need to chew on something when they have discomfort due to teething, carrots are helpful as long as you give it in small pieces.
Cheese
Rich in protein and calcium. It is tasteful and also low in fat and sodium. Cheese such as cottage or mozzarella is a good choice since these two are low in fat and sodium. Make sure that you feed it to them in moderation and not as a regular treat. Give them some piece as an occasional reward or when training them.
Chicken
High in protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Cooked chicken is beneficial to your pets and not the raw one that can cause bacterial infections in your dog. Dice the chicken or cut it into small pieces and remove all bones that may cause choking. Breast meat is the perfect chicken part if you like them meaty with less the bony parts.
Some dogs, though, are allergic to chicken and should avoid this food. Ensure that you are aware of it before serving your dog any.
Mangoes
It is high in sugar content but contains vitamins A, C, E, and B6. This fruit is also high in fiber to benefit your dog’s digestion, particularly a constipated dog. Give dogs some diced mango in moderation. It should be without pit and peeled before serving it to them.
Oranges
Mandarin oranges, clementine, and tangerines are all high in fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. It is, however, high in natural sugar and, when given regularly, may also cause diarrhea, so moderation is the key. Serve oranges to them as a treat now and then with the peels removed.
Pears
Safe for dogs and has high fiber content. It has high antioxidants, potassium, as well as vitamins K, C, and A., Remove the seeds and core before serving it to your pets. However, pears are also high in natural sugar, and dogs with diabetes may not benefit from it.
Pineapple
Another fruit that you can give to your dog as a reward or treat. It is high in magnesium, potassium, manganese, copper, iron, niacin, thiamin, Vitamins B6 and C. You can cut or dice some peeled pineapple before serving it to your pets. The pineapple peel is hard to chew on so remember to remove this before feeding them to your dog or it will cause an oral obstruction, as well as stomach discomfort.
