Can Dogs Eat Dates?

Can dogs eat dates? Yes, dogs can eat dates. These tropical fruits are known for their sweetness and rich nutrients. There is a great abundance of fiber, vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, and iron in dates. These nutrients play a vital role in keeping a dog in good shape. Let us delve deeper into the health benefits of dates for dogs and learn the appropriate serving of this human food for your pet.

What Are Dates?

Dates are the fruits of date palm trees. They are commonly dehydrated for preservation. These sweet treats are safe for dogs to consume. Dates are not toxic to dogs, unlike raisins which have unknown poisonous compounds that can cause canine kidney failure.

What Are the Health Benefits of Dates to Dogs?

Can dogs have dates? Yes. Dates are an excellent source of nutrients. Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, and C, which can boost a dog’s immune system, can be found in these sweet fruits. In addition, minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium are also abundant in dates. These fruits are beneficial for them as they have several positive effects on their health. These include:

• Low Cholesterol and Fat Content

  Dates can be healthy snacks for overweight and obese dogs. Their low fat content prevents weight gain. But dates should be fed in moderation since they are high in sugar. Since dates are also low in cholesterol, they have a good impact on heart health, preventing cardiovascular diseases. The potassium content in these fruits allows proper stabilization of blood pressure too.

• Promote Good Digestion

  A good source of fiber, dates can help smooth out the digestive system function of your dog. Dietary fiber is essential in maintaining bowel regularity and aids in producing firm stools. This hinders the occurrence of digestive problems in dogs, such as diarrhea and constipation. Apart from this, dietary fiber also supports the proper absorption of nutrients.

• Give Dogs an Energy Boost

  Dates contain high levels of natural sugars, specifically fructose, glucose, and sucrose. They make up 60–70% of a single date, and these natural sugars can be converted into energy. Feeding your dog dates before a grueling doggy activity will prevent him from becoming exhausted quickly.

• Good for the Brain

  According to the result of an animal-based study, dates were able to improve memory function and learning ability. On the other hand, animals who did not consume the fruit showed lower capabilities of these skills.

• Good for Bone and Teeth Development

  Dates are rich in nutrients that are essential for strengthening bones and teeth. Vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium help minimize the chances of periodontal and bone disease from developing.

Are There Risks to Worry About When Feeding Dogs Dates?

Although the answer to the “Can dog eat dates?” question is yes, these fruits come with health risks that dog owners should be aware of. Here are some health concerns when it comes to feeding dates to dogs:

• Dates Are High in Sugar.

  Sweet-toothed dogs will love dates since these fruits contain natural sugars; however, overindulgence should never be encouraged. Unhealthy side effects may occur if dates are consumed excessively. They heighten the possibility of certain health issues developing, such as high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Note that one date contains 16 grams of sugar, which is already significantly high for canines. Make sure to serve dates in small amounts to your pooch to avoid overloading his system with sugar.

• Dates Have High Fiber Content.

  Like natural sugars, dietary fiber can become damaging to canines if consumed in large amounts. It can cause diarrhea, upset stomach, and other gastrointestinal problems. This is another reason why eating dates should be done in moderation.

• Date Seeds Are Choking Hazards.

  We mentioned earlier that dates have large, hard seeds inside their flesh. They pose a choking hazard, especially for small dogs, due to their tough exterior. They can also cause stomach obstruction. For safe consumption, dog owners need to remove the pit before offering the fruit to their canine companions. Fortunately, date seeds do not contain cyanide, which can be found in other seeds of fruits.

How Many Dates Can Dogs Eat?

Feeding dates to dogs only once or twice a week is a good idea. The recommended serving size for dogs is around ½–2 dates. Dates for dogs should be given sparingly, even if these sweet fruits are healthy canine snacks. Eating too many dates can cause gastrointestinal problems such as stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting in canines. Mind that some dogs have a more sensitive stomach than others. They may suffer from digestive upset even if they only ate a small amount of the fruit. If your dog has tummy problems after eating dates, give him plenty of water. You may also need to withhold his food for 24 hours for his stomach to settle down.

How Can You Serve Dates Safely to Dogs?

Pit all dates for your dog to eat safely. Slice the fruits in half and then remove the seeds. Dogs eating seedless whole dates can be a potentially dangerous situation. The fruit is a bit large and difficult to chew. It can potentially cause them to choke if they accidentally swallow it without chewing. Slice the pitted dates into small bite-size pieces to avoid this danger. These sweet fruits can be served to pooches as is or mixed with their dog food.

Homemade Dog Treats with Dates

Here is one way to turn dates into tasty treats for your canine friend:

Sweet Date Dog Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons pitted and finely chopped dates
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 1/2 cup filtered water
• 1/2 cup instant unsweetened oatmeal
• 1 cup finely chopped or grated raw carrots
• 4 cups oat flour
• 2 mashed bananas

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Combine the oat flour, oatmeal, and baking powder in a large bowl. Then make a well in the center.
4. In a separate bowl, place the carrots, bananas, and dates along with the almond butter, honey, and water.
5. Transfer the peanut butter mixture to the well of the flour mix. Stir them thoroughly until properly incorporated.
6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
7. Cut out shapes from the flattened dough using a cookie cutter of your choice.
8. Place them on the baking sheet.
9. Bake for 14–16 minutes.
10. Allow the dog biscuits to cool completely before serving.