Can Dogs Eat Figs?

The short answer: Yes, but in very small amounts.

The long answer: High in natural sugars and soluble fiber, figs are a great source of antioxidants (vitamins A and K) and minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and copper). However, your dog should only eat limited amounts of this fruit because the sugar content may upset his stomach or cause diarrhea. He should also not be given preserved figs because of the ingredients used to preserve them such as brandy, sugar, and lemon.

Also, it is important to note that the fig tree is toxic for dogs. It’s best not to own one, especially if your canine likes to roam around the backyard and scratch or chew on trees. If your dog comes into contact or ingests the ficin (a sap-like substance found on the plant), he may experience diarrhea, drooling, salivation, abdominal pain, seizures, and vomiting.

What to do if your dog accidentally eats a fig plant: Take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. Monitor your dog for the symptoms mentioned above. Aside from these signs, check for mouth and tongue inflammation as well as rashes and sores on his body.

In summary: Low in calories, figs can help keep your dog’s blood pressure down and maintain his weight. Before including figs in his regular diet, feed him a small piece to see how he reacts to it. If he does not have an allergic reaction, you can occasionally give him the fresh fruit in small, bite-sized pieces. It is best not to feed this fruit to dogs with sensitive stomachs because the enzymes found in the fruit might irritate their bellies. Instead of figs, discover which other fruits dogs can safely eat in our “can dogs eat” category.