Can dogs eat figs?

The fig is a fruit with a good nutritional value that, when ripe, does not contain any substance that is toxic to dogs. Therefore, we can confirm that figs are on the list of foods suitable for dogs.

However, we must bear in mind that, along with bananas, custard apples and grapes, The fig is one of the fruits with the highest sugar content, so it should be offered in moderation to avoid harm to the health of dogs. In the following sections, we explain the best way to include figs in the diet of dogs, so that their contribution is always safe and healthy.

The fig is a fruit suitable for dogs, which can provide a series of nutritional benefits:

• Although its protein content is not high, contains most of the essential amino acids for dogs (which are those amino acids that the body is not capable of synthesizing and that need to be ingested through the diet).
• It has a significant amount of fiber. Although it is a nutrient that dogs cannot digest, it is essential in their diet, since it helps to regulate their intake, improves intestinal transit and contributes to the maintenance of the beneficial microbiota of the intestine.
• presents a high proportion of potassium and contains appreciable amounts of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
• Regarding vitamins, it contains small amounts of provitamin A and vitamins C, B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin) and B6 (pyridoxine).

Now that we know that dogs can eat figs, we need to explain how we can offer them so that their contribution is safe and beneficial. First of all, we will talk about the type of figs that dogs can consume. Are you wondering can dogs eat fresh figs or can dogs eat dried figs? We’ll tell you then.

The dried fig is the product obtained from the dehydration of the fresh fig. By considerably reducing its water content, the sugars are concentrated and a product with a caloric content almost 4 times higher than that of fresh fruit is obtained. This makes the dried figs are not recommended for dogs. Therefore, if you decide to provide this fruit to your dog, the correct thing is that you offer it fresh.

In addition, it is important that you select figs that are ripe enough. When the figs are green they contain a sap or latex (milky-white liquid), which is also present in the leaves and stems of the fig tree, and which can cause poisoning both by skin contact and by ingestion. Therefore, remember the importance of keeping unripe figs, the leaves and the stems of the plant away from your animal, to avoid the risk of fig poisoning in dogs. Know the symptoms of poisoning in dogs in this other article.

To prepare the figs, simply you must peel them and cut the pulp into small cubes (0.5-1 cm on each side, approximately).

Being a fruit very rich in sugars, figs should be offered in moderation. It is best to provide them as a prize or reward, occasionally.

For example, you can choose to offer figs as a prize once or twice a month. As a reference, you can offer 2-3 cubes of the fruit to small dogs, 3-5 to medium dogs and 5-7 to large dogs.

Figs are capable of producing negative effects on the health of dogs, especially when they are provided without taking into account the considerations that we have mentioned throughout the article:

• When excessive amounts of this fruit are provided, problems of overweight or obese, diabetes, etc. The contribution of dried figs can have similar consequences, due to its high concentration of sugars and its high caloric content.
• When green (immature) figs are offered or accidentally ingested or come into contact with the sap from the leaves or stem by dogs, it can cause a picture of poisoning by the action of furocomarins. When contact occurs through the skin, irritation, photosensitivity, blisters, etc. may appear. When ingesting any of these parts of the plant, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. may appear.

Although we have already commented that dogs can eat figs in moderation, there are certain situations in which their contribution may be contraindicated. For example:

If your dog presents any symptoms after eating figs or you suspect that it may be within these groups, avoid giving it this fruit and choose other treats that it can eat. In this video we share more good fruits for dogs:

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