Dogs can eat figs, but they need to be treated with care. Some human foods are poisonous for dogs. A dog might become seriously ill or even die if it eats certain types of food that may be okay for you to eat. If your dog eats something it shouldn’t, contact your veterinarian immediately and describe the symptoms and signs you see.
Fig is a fruit and part of the mulberry family of plants called Moraceae, including other edible fruits such as breadfruit and jackfruit trees.
What is a fig?
Figs are among the most popular tree-grown fruits globally due to their sweetness, nutritional value, and delicious taste. Figs contain many health-benefiting properties as well as some important vitamins and minerals for your dog.
Dogs can eat figs but only in moderate quantities daily, not as a ‘treat.’ Figs are best given to dogs after they’ve been cooked. Dogs should also be kept away from the plant’s leaves, stems, and seeds because these parts are toxic to their health. The fruit itself is fine to give to your canine friend in moderation, though be sure it has cooled down enough, so you don’t burn its mouth if it eats it straight out of the oven.
What are the benefits?
Figs are very beneficial for your dog’s health.
1. Improves Digestion
Figs contain high levels of dietary fiber, which is important for Healthy Digestion. Fiber acts as a prebiotic, encouraging the growth of good bacteria that aids digestive health.
Since figs contain soluble fiber instead of insoluble fibers, those diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome may wish to avoid this tasty treat. However, those without an irritable bowel will benefit greatly from the fiber content found within figs.
2. Great Source Of Potassium And Vitamin K
Figs are a great source of potassium, which is an important nutrient for cardiovascular health. Potassium found within figs is also responsible for proper muscle function, transmitting signals through nerve fibers, and respiration.
Another benefit of feeding your dog figs on the reg is that it contains vitamin K . Vitamin K is essential in blood clotting agents, reducing the risk of excessive bleeding during surgery or post-op recovery periods. This vitamin is also responsible for bone growth and improved calcium absorption by dogs.
3. Can Help Lower/Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
The high fiber content in figs can help lower elevated blood sugar levels while simultaneously improving insulin sensitivity by muscles cells. With this additional support of healthy blood sugar levels, diabetic dogs will greatly benefit from including figs in their diet.
4. Great Source Of Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is an essential vitamin that assists with nervous system health and neurological functions. This vitamin also aids red blood cell metabolism.
5. Contains A High Amount Of Antioxidants
Dogs are just as susceptible to cellular damage due to free radicals as humans, so they must eat foods containing antioxidants. Fig extract has been shown to inhibit lipid peroxidation, which is great news for dogs suffering from liver cirrhosis. Figs also contain gallic acid, which can inhibit alpha-amylase; this means less glucose released into the bloodstream (which is great for those with diabetes).
6. Aids In Weight Management
Since figs contain fiber and low sugar levels, they’re a great addition to any weight management plan. Fiber helps dogs feel fuller on fewer calories, while the low-sugar content means treats won’t cause as much of a blood glucose spike as other fruits (which can lead to insulin resistance over time).
7. Great Treat Alternative For Diabetics And Those With Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Since figs contain very little sugar and are high in dietary fiber, they’re a tasty alternative for people with diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome. While some dietary fibers may become fermented within the gut, leading to an increased presence of gas, there is evidence suggesting that figs do not cause an increase in gas production.
8. May Help Fight Cancer Cells
Studies have shown that fig extract acts as a mild phytoestrogen, which contains compounds that act like estrogen within the body. Since cancer cells require estrogen to grow and divide rapidly, the phytoestrogens found in figs may help kill cancerous cells.
9. Improve Bone Health
Since figs contain high levels of vitamin B6, they’re great for promoting healthy bone formation! Pregnant women should consult their doctor before consuming this fruit to avoid any potential allergies or complications during pregnancy though.
10. Contains Calcium And Copper
Dogs who are still growing need plenty of calcium and copper, which is why figs make for a great healthy form of both. Calcium acts as the “building block” for strong muscles and bones, while copper metabolizes red blood cells. Feeding your dog figs on a regular will help promote proper skeletal growth!
11. Aids In Digestion
If you’re feeding your dog figs fresh (when ripe), they’ll act like prunes; by regulating bowel movements. The high fiber content in figs also helps improve Digestion, whether that’s helping to prevent constipation or diarrhea.
12. Great Source Of Biotin And Iron
Biotin aids with fat metabolism within cells, so it’s for weight loss plans, while iron aids with hemoglobin formation, transport oxygen around the body.
13. Can Help Prevent And Lower The Risk Of Diabetes
Diabetes is becoming an increasingly common disease among dogs (especially senior dogs), so it’s best to ensure they get enough dietary fiber to slow down glucose absorption. Since figs contain no sugar and are extremely high in fiber, feeding your dog figs regularly can help prevent/lower the risk of diabetes.
14. May Help Fight Off Bacteria
Fig extract has been shown to inhibit sepsis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which means it may be an effective form of natural antibiotic! Figs also have strong antioxidant properties that can improve immune system health overall.
15. Improve Fertility And Libido
Figs have been shown to boost fertility in male and female dogs, attributed to their high antioxidant content. In addition to this, they may also help increase sexual drive. This is especially true for those dogs who are looking to breed
Why aren’t figs bad for dogs?
As long as you make sure not to give your dog any parts of the plant that might be poisonous such as the stems, seeds, or leaves, then figs are perfectly safe for them to eat.
Are there any dangers?
Fig pudding makes a delicious human dessert, but it’s not great for your dog. Although the fruit is fine to give to your canine friend in moderation, its high sugar content can make it harmful if eaten in large quantities. It should only be fed every day as an occasional treat.
Figs might also cause stomach problems such as diarrhea or vomiting due to their high fiber content. If you notice these symptoms after feeding your dog figs, don’t worry too much and watch for signs of poisoning. These effects are often mild and will pass within 24 hours without medical need.
So, you can feed your dog figs, don’t overfeed them. Use moderation when deciding how many to give them, so they stay healthy and safe.
What are the side effects?
1. The fruit can cause gastrointestinal problems in some dogs, so keep an eye on how much you give them. If they start vomiting, have diarrhea, or constipation, it’s best not to give them any more of the figs.
2. The most common problem with feeding your dog too many figs is that it will cause diarrhea. This isn’t always due to allergic reactions. It could be because their digestive system isn’t used to digesting the fruit. It doesn’t happen for all dogs, but you should stop giving them any more if it does.
. As well as causing stomach problems figs can also make dogs more thirsty.
3. Some dogs show signs of colitis after eating figs, which is inflammation of the colon.
4. The fruit’s high sugar content could lead to weight gain, so it’s best not to let them eat too many.
5. Eating fig flowers can cause problems with breathing for some dogs because they contain a natural chemical that releases cyanide into the air when digested. Although this doesn’t happen with all dogs, you should keep your dog away from any plants with fig flowers if they’re likely to sniff around them instead of just eating the fruit itself.
6. There are large seeds in figs that can get stuck inside your dog’s mouth or throat if he eats them whole. You can cut the fruit in half, so your dog only has access to the fleshy part of the fruit, but if they eat too many seeds, this can mimic a type of cyanide poisoning.
7. If your dog gets into figs that have been rotting on the ground, you run the risk of him getting tremors and seizures.
8. Large amounts of figs can cause liver damage for some dogs.
9. The fruit’s powerful antioxidants may also make it difficult for dogs to recover from illness, especially if they suffer from chronic diseases like cancer or arthritis. This is because the same antioxidants that protect against disease cause these side effects when fed in high doses.
10. Although figs are safe to give your dog in small doses, like most things they need to eat, it’s best not to let them eat too many, or fruit can make dogs more thirsty.
Conclusion
The type of fig you give your dog will also determine its nutritional value for them. Can dogs have figs? Dogs can eat figs, but they should be fed in moderation because the fruit is high in sugar. Figs are a good source of fiber that helps with Digestion and may reduce the risk of colon cancer by absorbing toxins that would otherwise enter our bloodstream. They’re also full of antioxidants like vitamin A, C, E, K, potassium, manganese, and copper. All these nutrients can help fight to age on top of giving dogs energy to run around outside.
