Needless to say, dogs are the most loyal of all creatures that are kept as pets. We have known heroic stories about them trying to save and protect their owners even if it put them at grave risk. Therefore, it is only natural for you to want to shower your doggo with unconditional love and adoration as well. The best way to go about doing this is to feed it well. Believe it or not, as human beings, the way to a dog’s heart is through its stomach too. All you have to do is find the right treats and cuisines to delight it with! On that note, let us see if dates are one of the few fruits that will lead you straight to the heart of your furry friend.
Can Your Dog Eat Dates?
Ironically, as simple as the question itself sounds, the answer is not just as definite. Yes, your dog can eat days, but there’s more to it. Unlike most of the foods that you serve your pet, dates can not be fed to them in excess or even in a significant quantity for that matter. Dates undoubtedly are a sweet escape for your four-legged friend from its regular diet but there’s so much margin that can be granted. We understand you parentally need to bathe your dog in everything good that exists but is the momentary satisfaction worth putting your beloved dog’s health in danger.
How Should a Dog Be Fed Dates?
No matter how desperately you want your pet to enjoy the naturally sweetened taste of fruits or how helpless you feel in front of its puppy dog eyes, do NOT give in. You may only feed the dog in minimal amounts. In this fashion, you won’t seem like the merciless villain who chose to deprive his/her pet of a scrumptious fruit and your dog will be gleeful too. A fair win-win situation, isn’t it?
What are the health benefits of dates for your dog?
As pet parents, we are automatically inclined towards food for our dogs that is not only tasteful but is also advantageous to a favorable extent. Not too surprisingly, dates fulfill the criteria all too well. They’re composed of carbohydrates and are enriched with minerals and vitamins that can add up to the daily nutritional requirement of your dog or perhaps make up for any deficiencies in the dog’s diet. The sweetened fruit is capable of providing your four-legged best bud with;
- Fiber
- Vitamin A, B, and C
- Thiamine
- Disease fighting antioxidants etc.
Why Are Too Many Dates a Bad Idea?
We bet this question has been spiraling inside your mind for a good while now, so let’s get down to addressing it. Your dog may seem buff and strong to your eyes and it must be, but coming across major or minor health issues can cause it to weaken and, in some cases, fall extremely sick.
Not much different in the case of dates as well. While they may be a credible and healthy source of energy for you, the excess amount of sugar inside them makes them just as injurious to a dog. Dates can be the source of disruption in the body equilibrium of your dog which in turn can cause digestive system issues, diabetes, and a root cause of dental problems. Trust us when we say, you or your dog don’t want any part of it in the very least!
In addition to this, the fiber in a certain digestible quantity is good news, but the fiber in excess is everything but good news for your dog. A fiber imbalance can lead to grave physical health issues which can be exceedingly unpleasant and painful. Diseases that your fragile furry friend may fall prey to in this respect are; diarrhea, stomach ache, and increased stool frequency, etc.
What Are the Signs That Your Dog Has Eaten Dates in Surplus Amount?
If you walk in on your dog at the crime scene, you might want to look for the following symptoms or changes in their behavior to identify whether the excess intake has caused a problem;
- Lack of focus
- Weakness
- Upset Stomach
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Unusual bowel habits
- Hyperactivity (in some cases)
If you happen to observe any out-of-the-ordinary behavior of your dog including the symptoms mentioned above, the best alternative is to ring up your dog’s vet. There is no substitute for an expert’s advice. If it is necessary, book an appointment with the doctor as soon as possible and take your furry friend in. We are sure it will be back to normal in no time!
What Should Be the Ideal Diet of a Dog?
Alike human beings, dogs are constantly growing day by day and so are their nutritional needs. A grown dog will require a meal that is more nutritionally enriched in comparison to that of a puppy and is also sufficient for its day-to-day needs. However, the basic requirement of dogs stays the same throughout till the very last stage of their life.
The six necessary supplements a dog’s intake should provide are; water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. And so, subsequently, the ideal diet of a dog should revolve around the mentioned nutrients. To make it further easier for you, we have constituted an absolute diet plan for your dog to be fed meals according to. As long as your dog gets to relish all of the foods mentioned below without excess overlapping, it should be healthful to its full potential;
- Meat (preferably cooked or raw muscle meat)
- Bones (these are equally beneficial served in whatever manner depending on the likelihood of your dog)
- Raw eggs
- Fruits (such as apples)
- Fish
- Vegetables and rice (as per your dog’s liking)
You may incorporate human foods, that are considered safe, in your furry friend’s diet, as per its liking as well. Moreover, on the other side of the picture, a good number of dog owners prefer to strictly adhere to a pure kibble diet. Kibble diet is considered to be an appropriate option for the reason of being an already prepared blend of almost all the required nutrients. A good and well-balanced kibble diet leaves behind no room for deficiencies.