Can Dogs Eat Figs?

You’re probably enjoying some fresh Figs with your canine companions next to you. They’re begging you for one (or two) with their adorable puppy dog eyes. Now you’re wondering, “Can my dog eat Figs?” Before you give in and offer them a Fig, here’s the short answer first.

Can dogs eat Figs? Yes, dogs can eat Figs in moderation. Giving your dogs 1 or 2 fresh Figs every week is fine, but more than that can cause vomiting, heavy drooling, upset stomach, and diarrhea. That’s because fresh Figs are high in fiber and contain a proteolytic enzyme called ficin. If your dogs have never had Figs, give them a tiny piece and see how they react to this fruit. 

In this article, we’ll discuss how Figs can be both good and bad for dogs. We’ll address your concerns regarding whether Figs are safe for your canine friends and what happens when they eat too many Figs. We’ll also discuss which part of the Fig and Fig plant is dangerous to dogs. So before you offer any food or snack that contains Figs such as Fig Newtons, you’ll want to read this first.

Can dogs have Figs?

Yes, dogs can have Figs in moderation. Moderation is key because allowing your pooch to consume too many Figs can have severe health consequences. 

If your furry friends have never had Figs before, you’ll want to introduce this fruit to them slowly and gradually and start out by only giving them a small piece. This will help you find out if your pups are allergic to Figs. 

After offering the small piece of Figs to your pooch, monitor him closely and watch for any allergic reactions or changes in his behavior. If your furry companion is vomiting, drooling heavily, and having diarrhea, then it’s a sign that the Fig is not sitting well with him. Your dog’s stomach or digestive system isn’t taking the Figs well. When this is the case, do not feed him anymore Figs as your pooch may be allergic to Figs.

On the other hand, if your pooch is fine after eating one small piece of the Figs, you can now give him two small pieces of Figs. You can slowly work your way up to sharing one whole Fig with your pooch. 

We highly recommend that you only share one or two Figs with your canine companions once a week and no more than that. 

It’s important to note that the Figs should be given to your furry friends as a treat and not as part of their main diet. In the next section, we will discuss why.

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Are Figs bad for dogs?

Yes, Figs can be bad for dogs. To understand why, let’s take a look at the nutritional profile of 1 raw Large Fig (64 grams):

Nutritional Profile of raw Figs [1 Large (2-½” diameter) or 64 grams]

Name, Unit	Amount
Calories, cal	47.4
Sugar, g	10.4
Sodium, mg	0.64
Carbohydrate, g	12.3
Total Fat, g	0.192
Protein, g	0.48
Fiber, g	1.86
Calcium, mg	22.4
Iron, mg	0.237
Magnesium, mg	10.9
Phosphorus, mg	8.96
Potassium, mg	148
Zinc, mg	0.096
Copper, mg	0.045
Manganese, mg	0.082
Selenium, µg	0.128
Vitamin C, mg	1.28
Thiamin, mg	0.038
Riboflavin, mg	0.032
Niacin, mg	0.256
Pantothenic acid, mg	0.192
Vitamin B-6, mg	0.072
Folate, µg	3.84
Vitamin A, µg	4.48
Carotene, beta, µg	54.4
Vitamin A, IU	90.9
Vitamin E, mg	0.07
Vitamin K, µg	3.01

As we can see, 1 raw large Figs has about 47 calories, 0.192 grams of fat, and 12.3 grams of carbohydrate (10.4 grams of sugar). 

So while raw Figs aren’t necessarily toxic or poisonous to dogs, we have to be mindful of the nutritional profile of Figs and how letting our furry pals consume too many can have negative health consequences. 

Figs contain high sugar content which is bad for dogs

Too much sugar from Figs can cause upset stomach in dogs

We can see that there are 10.4 grams of natural sugar in 1 large raw Fig. While the sugar is natural, your dog’s stomach won’t be able to handle too much sugar if he or she has never consumed Figs before or has never ingested that much sugar intake. 

That’s because ingesting too much sugar can disrupt the natural balance of good and bad bacteria as well as other microorganisms in your dog’s gut. These bacteria and microorganisms in your pup’s gut are what help them digest the food they eat. 

This can lead to an upset stomach and your dog may start to vomit or have bloody and explosive diarrhea. Thus, it’s a bad idea to let our furry family members ingest a higher dose of sugar (natural or not) than they are used to.

High sugar content in Figs can lead to dental disease in dogs

Allowing your K9 friends to eat more than one or two Figs is a bad idea because another negative health effect of consuming sugar is that it can cause cavities and loss of enamel. 

This occurs because the bacteria in your dog’s mouth use the sugar on their gums, tongue, or teeth to produce acids. The acid can then eat away at the minerals in the enamel, which is the outer coating of your dog’s teeth. This can lead to tooth decay and cavities. 

We highly recommend that you brush your dog’s teeth daily or at least two to three times a week with a dog toothpaste that contains an enzymatic formula and a non-foaming agent. The enzyme helps to break down and remove the plaque, control tartar formation, and keep your dog’s gum healthy. The non-foaming agent ensures that your pooch can swallow the toothpaste safely. 

It’s also essential to bring your four-legged friends to the vet annually for a dental checkup and a professional cleaning to keep their pearly whites clean, shiny, and healthy!

Consuming too many Figs with high sugar content can cause weight gain in dogs

In addition to dental disease, eating lots of Figs can also lead to weight gain. The good news is that the sugar in Figs is natural but it’s important to keep in mind that sugary food can lead to your dogs packing on the pounds. 

When this happens, it can affect your dog’s mood and quality of life. When dogs are obese or overweight, the excess weight can put stress on their joints and lungs. They may experience breathing difficulty, joint issues, and even heart disease. 

Your pooch may no longer want to play as much as he used to or may not want to head out for their daily walk. Instead, he may feel lethargic and only wants to lie down all day. He may become sad and miserable.  

You’ll also notice the weight gain because your pooch may no longer have that toned body and muscle he once had. Instead, you’ll see more fats. That’s because too much sugar can also change his metabolism.

Too much sugar in Figs can lead to diabetes in dogs

If you give your canine companions more than two Figs every day, eventually, it may lead to your dogs developing Type II diabetes. To avoid this, stick to giving your pooch just one or two Figs once a week.

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Figs can lead to gastrointestinal upset in dogs

If your Fido has never had Figs before, then chances are that his body isn’t familiar with this fruit/food and may not know how to digest Figs. As a result, your pooch may experience gastrointestinal upset or distress after eating a Fig.

Salt content in Figs can cause salt poisoning in dogs

There’s not enough sodium in Figs to cause salt poisoning in dogs if it’s the only thing they eat each day. However, keep in mind that our dog’s main meal and diet already contains their necessary daily recommended salt intake. 

If you’re not careful and offer your pooch more than two Figs as a treat on top of their daily diet, then this can easily lead to excess salt intake and sodium poisoning in dogs. 

Signs and symptoms of salt poisoning in dogs include: 

• Swollen tongue. 
• Constant drinking of water due to extreme thirst.
• Frequent urination. 
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Watery diarrhea.
• Dehydration. 
• Convulsion or heavy drooling. 
• Breathing difficulty. 
• Headache. 
• Confusion.
• Loss of appetite. 
• Feeling lethargic. 
• Buildup of fluid in the body. 
• Body weakness.
• Muscle spasms.
• Abdominal or stomach pain. 
• Fever.
• Tachycardia or fast heartbeat.
• Seizures (in severe cases).
• Coma (in severe cases).

Your dog may also walk around like he’s intoxicated. He may be walking around in circles and may appear to look confused and in distress. 

If you suspect your pooch has sodium poisoning, call your vet right away or call the Pet Poison Helpline. Salt poisoning requires immediate medical attention.

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Are Figs good for dogs?

Yes, Figs can be good for dogs in moderation. Stick to giving your pooch one or two Figs per week and no more than that. 

If we take a look at the nutritional profile of one (1) large raw Fig again, we can see that it is relatively low in calories and is packed full of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to your dog’s health. 

The vitamins found in Figs include vitamins A, C, E, and K.

You can also find the following nutrients in Figs: fiber, calcium, protein, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc to name a few.

Can dogs eat Fig Leaves?

No, dogs should not eat Fig leaves because the Fig leaves contain oxalic acid, an irritant that can lead to gastrointestinal upset in dogs. 

It’s best to keep your dogs away from plants and leaves that contain oxalic acid because oxalic acid is actually a poisonous crystalline acid. Dogs that consume Fig leaves may start to experience the following symptoms: 

• Kidney dysfunction.
• Kidney failure. 
• Liver damage.
• Tremors.
• Coma (in severe cases). 

If you suspect your furry companion has oxalic acid poisoning, we highly recommend that you contact your vet as soon as possible and bring your pooch to the veterinary hospital This type of poisoning requires immediate medical attention. 

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The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding dietary needs.

Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fig

https://www.britannica.com/plant/fig