Can dogs eat figs?

Yes, dogs cat eat figs. Figs are rich in antioxidants, fibre, potassium, magnesium and calcium. They also have neuroprotective properties which can help protect nerve cells from damage, degeneration or impairment. And they can help protect against cancer and arthritis. So, fed in moderation, figs can be a welcome addition to your dog’s food bowl.

Canine nutritionist Gerald Pepin is the author of the book From Table to Bowl which seeks to take the mystery out of feeding dogs fresh food. Here the experienced dog nutritionist explains the benefits and safe serving tips for feeding a dog figs.

Looking for something different to tickle the taste buds of your best friend? What about trying chewy, juicy figs? Despite what you may have heard, figs are exceptionally good for dogs. They offer valuable nutrients as well as making a change from the usual fruits many pet parents feed to their constant canine companion. Can dogs eat figs? You bet they can!

About figs

The fig is the edible fruit of the Ficus carica tree, a small flowering plant native to the Mediterranean, western and southern Asia. Cultivated for thousands of years, it was in fact one of the earliest plants ever cultivated by humans. Its tear-shaped fruit can be eaten fresh or dried. (Just bear in mind that fresh figs are best because they have lower sugar levels). That caveat aside, the really exciting thing is that your dog can enjoy figs exactly the same way you can.

What are the nutrients in figs?

Figs are rich in flavonols, antioxidants that support good health. They’re also a good source of potassium, magnesium and calcium as well as being a moderate source of fibre. This richness in fibre makes them the perfect laxative for any dog needing a little help. Why use synthetic laxatives when nature provides us with the perfect natural laxative for the constipated dog?

What are the benefits of feeding figs to dogs?

Fed in moderation, figs can offer your dog a surprising number of nutritional benefits.

Rich in the flavonol epicatechin which helps promote new blood vessels, figs can help support cognitive function in ageing dogs
The neuroprotective properties of figs can help protect nerve cells from damage, degeneration or impairment
The antioxidants in figs can help protect against oxidative stress, the cause of diseases such as cancer
Figs contain anti-inflammatory compounds that can help protect against arthritis
Figs are a good source of potassium which can help reduce blood pressure
The potassium in figs is also beneficial for good muscle and nerve function
Figs are also beneficial for gastrointestinal health
The magnesium in figs is good for tooth and bone health

Are figs a human food that dogs can eat too?

Scientists have proven that not only have dogs and human beings shared the same diet for at least 12,000 years, they have demonstrated that the digestive systems of both species simultaneously evolved to process and benefit from that shared diet. From those same foods. At the time of the First Agricultural Revolution, when man became less reliant on foraging and more dependent on farmed produce, the digestive tract of both species underwent exactly the same genetic adaptation to allow us and our dogs to process that more limited farmed diet. In other words, we know that without any shadow of a doubt, long before the beginning of recorded time, dogs and human beings were sharing exactly the same diet. Eating the same food.

So even if you prefer to call the food that we humans eat “human food” and the food that dogs eat “dog food”, the fact is that human beings and dogs began to form their enduring relationship at exactly the same time as the First Agricultural Revolution, and likely largely because of our shared ability to benefit from the same foodstuffs. Back then, the food that humans ate was not considered human food, any more than the food dogs ate (exactly the same food remember), was considered dog food. The food that dogs and humans shared, the food that helped cement the bond we continue to enjoy to this day, was simply known as “food.”

So while many today speak of figs as being human food, the fact is, when they were first cultivated thousands of years ago, figs would have been eaten by both human beings and their dogs. Along with all the other foodstuffs they would have shared, figs would simply have been considered “food”, food that both dogs and human beings could each eat, enjoy and benefit from.

So when you ask yourself, can dogs eat figs, can I feed my dog figs, are figs one of the safe human foods you can share with your dog, the answer is an unequivocal, yes. Dogs can eat figs because, just as is the case with we humans, they’re something they have always eaten!

Are there any conditions to feeding figs to dogs?

While figs are perfectly safe for dogs, it’s best to use fresh figs as they contain less sugar. And if your dog is not used to variety, start off feeding small amounts just to avoid the possibility of a tummy upset. Fresh figs also offer more vitamins, so it makes sense for both you and your dog to lean towards fresh figs.

And bear in mind as well that the leaves and the sap of the plant are toxic to dogs. So by all means feed your dog figs, just make sure you feed the fruit only.

Summary

So there you have it. Figs for dogs should definitely be on your dog’s menu. And if you want to learn more about the fruits and vegetables your dog can enjoy, click here to learn more.