Can dogs eat dates

Yes, it’s ok to let dogs eat dates in moderation.

If you want to share food with your dog, it’s important to know what’s safe for dogs and what’s not. There’s a lot of confusion over whether dogs can eat dates, and it’s probably because they look similar to raisins.

But despite dates looking like raisins’ older, slightly better-looking brother, they are not related. While raisins are dried grapes and highly toxic to dogs, dates are the fruit from the date palm tree and are safe to feed your dog.

Health benefits of dates

Dates are a versatile and nutritious snack. Full of vitamins, including vitamins A, B, and C, which all support your dog’s immune system, they are also a good source of dietary fiber, contributing to a healthy digestive system. If you give your dog dates, they can also benefit from excellent levels of minerals, including potassium. Calcium, Magnesium.Iron, Zinc, and copper.

Thought to help with everything from digestive health to heart and eye health and even arthritis, dates are low fat and cholesterol-free, making them a good choice for a highly nutritious snack.

Dates are also naturally sweet, making them perfect as a natural alternative to refined sugar in baked goods and making them a tasty treat for your dog. Not only that, but they are easily digested, which means that their many health benefits can easily be passed on to your dog. They can also provide a quick and healthy energy boost thanks to the generous carbohydrate content.

How many dates can dogs eat?

Despite their impressive nutritional benefits, dates have extremely high sugar content. Since dogs process sugar similarly to us, feeding them too many sweet things can be dangerous and negatively affect blood sugar levels.

Diabetes, weight gain, and dental problems are all common problems for an over-enthusiastic, sweet tooth, and dogs are susceptible to the same things that we are, so keep sugary treats to a minimum.

As dates contain high levels of dietary fiber, giving your dog too many could potentially lead to an upset stomach and diarrhea as well. It’s always worth being cautious. Think of dates as doggy candy, perfect for the occasional treat but not as a regular addition to their diet.

How to Feed your dog dates

The best way to feed your dog fruit of any kind is to cut it into pieces removing the pit first. While the date pit isn’t toxic like some other fruit pits, they pose a choking hazard, especially for small dogs. Not only that, but even if your dog does manage to swallow it without a problem, it is not easy to digest, and there’s a risk that it may cause an obstruction further down the intestinal tract.

If you want to share dates with your dog, start by giving them a small piece first. Although dates aren’t a common cause of allergies, there’s always a chance that your dog will react to a new food. Also, you don’t want to overload your dog’s digestive system because of the high fiber content. It’s always a good idea to watch your dog for any signs of stomach upset after eating something new.

Can dogs eat dates?

Can dogs eat dates? The simple answer is yes, but only in moderation. Even though dates are packed full of vitamins and minerals and are a good source of fiber, and are considered healthy, they are extremely high in sugar. For every 100g of dates, around 63g of those grams are sugar which makes them unsuitable for dogs that are overweight or diabetic.

As an extra special treat, though, dates are perfect for sharing with your dog. Whether you eat them as they are or want to go the extra mile and whip up a batch of healthy snacks, dates are bound to be one of your dog’s favorite treats.

Carrot, Date, and Oatmeal Treats

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
1/2 cup instant, unsweetened oatmeal
2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup finely chopped or grated raw carrots
2 Tbsp. pitted and finely chopped dates
1/2 cup natural unsalted peanut butter
1/2 cup filtered water

Method:

Preheat the oven to 325°F.
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, oatmeal, and baking powder. Make a well in the center.
Place the carrots and dates in a separate bowl with the peanut butter and water.
Add the peanut butter mix to the well in the flour mix and stir until combined.
Flatten the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is approximately 1/4-inch thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut the treats.
Arrange on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 14 to16 minutes or until dry.
Let cool for 30 minutes before serving.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.