Dates are quite delicious and healthy snacks for humans. But, are they safe for your pets?
Pet owners, particularly the dog owners, tend to share their food with their pets. But, whenever you’re giving a portion of your food to the dog, make sure it’s safe for them.
Not all foods we eat are safe for the dogs. Some foods are safe for them, while others can be toxic.
Can Dogs Eat Dates?
Yes, they can. Dates are rich in nutrients and considered quite healthy for a human. In fact, your dog can also eat dates occasionally as they don’t contain any notable poisonous ingredients.
Dates contain vitamin A, B6, iron, potassium, protein, zinc, calcium, etc. Besides, these fruits are a good source of fiber and carbohydrates that are good for humans, as well as dogs.
A study published in 2013 shows the importance of dietary fiber in the dog’s health. It also reports that complex carbohydrates have positive effects on oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease.
However, any dog food must cover all the nutritional requirements. So, human food shouldn’t be considered as more than a treat.
If you want to feed your dog dates, give them in moderate amount. Also, check out for any side effects if they have dates for the first time.
Nutritional Values of Dates
Most of the dates we have are dried. So, the calorie content of those dates is higher than any fresh fruit.
According to the study published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition a 100 grams serving of dates provide the following nutrients:
Calories: 314
Selenium: 15% of the RDA
Copper: 15% of the RDA
Potassium: 15% of the RDA
Magnesium: 15% of the RDA
Dietary Fiber: 8 grams
Protein: 2 grams
Besides, dates contain some other nutritional properties that contribute to many of their health benefits.
Dates Health Benefits for Dogs
1. Dates Help Boost Dog’s Energy.
Dates are a great source of concentrated carbohydrates.
A study published in the Nutrition Today reports carbohydrate is an essential energy source for intense performance.
These fruits can also help boost the energy level of your puppy, especially the older one.
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2. They Can Improve Bone Health.
Dates contain numerous healthy minerals such as iron, copper, zinc, calcium, and magnesium.
These minerals help you, as well as your dog to get strong bones. Their normal diet can provide necessary minerals for strong bones. But a few dates as a treat sometimes can act as a bonus for their health.
3. Dates May Aid in Digestion.
Dates can help in proper digestion, thanks to its dietary fiber.
Like humans, dogs can also get the benefits of dietary fiber. It can improve its digestive system and treat constipation.
Besides, dates can also improve your dog’s efficiency of nutrient uptake.
READ ALSO: 11 Home Remedies for Excessive Gas in Dogs
4. It Can Boost Their Immunity.
Dates contain a significant amount of vitamin C. They can fight any infections and other foreign agents, improving the immune system.
Research published in 2018 shows the efficacy of vitamin C as a supplementary for severe diseases like cancer.
Due to the immunity boosting properties, dates can also help to keep your dog healthy, energetic, and hungry.
5. Dates May Improve Dog’s Heart Health.
Dates contain a high amount of potassium. Potassium is a vital nutrient for the dog’s heart.
A study published in the Seminars in Nephrology shows a high-potassium diet can help treat hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Regular intake of dates can control the blood pressure of your puppy and prevent irregular heartbeats.
READ ALSO: 5 Best Essential Oils for Dogs Breath: Uses and Precautions
Precautions While Giving Dates to Your Dog
Dates are usually safe and quite healthy for your dog. But, certain precautions must be followed to avoid any severe complications:
- Some dogs can have allergy due to excessive consumption of dates. So, give your pet a moderate amount of dates and check if they have any allergic reactions.
- As dates can treat constipation, excessive consumption may also cause diarrhea to your dog.
- Dates are high in sugar. So, if your dog is diabetic, it’s recommended not to feed them dates.
- Always remove the pits before you give dates to your puppy. While they are not toxic, they can cause a choking hazard to your little friend.
Bottom Line
Most dogs have a common instinct of putting everything in their mouth, including something they should not. But, if they accidentally eat one or two dates from your plate, don’t worry.
Most human foods are safe for dogs if you give them in a moderate amount. While some of the human food can also be toxic for them, dates are quite a healthy choice as a treat.
But, do check for any allergic reaction in your dog if you’re giving it dates for the first time. Also, make sure your favorite companion gets them as a treat, not as a dietary replacement.
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