Can Dogs Eat Dates: Explained

Updated May 10, 2021
dates served in a plate with fruit syrup

Dates are among those fruits that have attracted the attention of many people in recent years. Besides its being chewy and sweet, dates also provide us with a lot of nutritional benefits.

But when it comes to “can dogs eat dates”, people sometimes confuse it with Raisins. As you may know, raisins are potentially harmful to dogs. But dates and raisins are not the same kind of fruit and not even related in any way. Raisins are made by drying grapes. On the other hand, dates are collected from date palm trees which generally grow in the tropical areas of this world.

So now, before jumping to whether dogs can eat dates are not, let's discuss a little about dates. It won't take more than 2 minutes.

Click here if you want to jump to the conclusion directly.

About Dates

Dates are produced from date palm trees and usually originate from the tropical areas. It is quite popular in Eastern countries and middle east regions. In general, there are two variations of dates. Fresh dates and Dried dates. There are also different variations of dates regarding their species and groups.

If we talk about the nutritional aspects of dates, dates are full of many nutritional elements. Some of them are:

  • Fibers
  • Protein
  • Iron
  • Vitamin B6
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Copper
  • Manganese

Apart from that, dates also contain antioxidants that may help to fight diseases and thus keep the body protected.

According to the National Institution of health, dates have the potential to promote our brain health and also reduce the chances of neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s)

Can Dogs Eat Dates?

Well, the simple answer is, yes. Your dog can eat dates. But you should keep some things in mind.

It is unusual for dates to cause in allergy, still, when you are going to feed your dog with dates for the first time, you should monitor him for some time after giving a few dates. Based on how your dog's body reacts, you can occasionally give your dog dates from time to time as a fruit treat. Remember, though dates are super nutritious, they contain a lot of sugar and as we know, high sugar intake can lead to many health disorders or diseases such as diabetes, obesity, etc. Too much sugar is also harmful to the teeth of dogs. Low sugar diets are always recommended for dogs.

Must Remove the Pits!

When you are planning to feed your dog with dates, one thing you should remember is you must remove the pit beforehand. Though the pits of dates are comparatively smaller than of the other fruits, still if your dog swallows the pits, there remain some chances of choking hazard and other potential problems.

Train Your Dog Not to Eat Many Dates Altogether

As we discussed, dates must be given in a moderate amount. But, what if your dogs start to like dates very much? In that case, if your dog knows where you have kept the dates or the jar of dates, he may try to reach that and get them. So, you should always keep the dates jar somewhere out of your dog's reach.

Here are the answers to few of your most frequently asked questions.

Are Dates Good for My Dog?

As dates are rich in in various nutrients including fibers, vitamins and antioxidants, dates are also a bit high in sugar. So, dates may not be the perfect fruits treat for your dog. It is okay to give your dog dates from time to time as a treat. Just remember to not to give dates at a higher quantity. And the pits must be removed beforehand to avoid any probable choking hazard risks.

What is the Best Way to Give Dates to My Dog?

If you follow a balanced diet for your dog, your dog will then get all essential elements from the regular meal. So, considering dates' high nutrients, you should limit dates as occasional treats and one or two dates at a time. Moderation is the key when it comes to feeding your dog dates.

Are Dates Toxic to Dogs?

Dates are not toxic to dogs. People often confuse dates with raisins or grapes, which are toxic to dogs. But, dates are never toxic to dogs if given in moderation. Excess amounts of dates can cause an upset stomach to your dogs. So, feed your dog dates in small amounts and make sure to remove the pits beforehand.

Are Date Pits Toxic to Dogs?

While date pits itself is not potentially toxic for dogs, the pits pose a significant risk of choking hazards or intestinal blockage. So, you must remove the pits from the dates before giving them to your dogs. In a word, date pits are not toxic for dogs, rather they are potentially risky or hazardous if ingested by dogs.

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