You can feed your dog one or two fig bars without any cause for alarm.
The figs in the fig bars are rich in dietary fiber, that’s great for your dog’s digestive system.
Figs are also a great source of natural sugar that provides an energy boost for your pup without causing the sugar crash of eating refined sugars.
Are fig bars suitable for dogs?
While fig bars aren’t toxic for dogs, they contain a high sugar content which can be harmful to dogs in large quantities.
There are several health benefits of figs but not the fig bars.
For instance, figs are an excellent source of natural sugar, providing an energy boost for your dog.
On the other hand, the fig bars are made with added fructose corn syrup which may be harmful to your dog, therefore watering down all the benefits of figs.
If your dog nibbled on one or two fig bars, there’ll probably be no reason to be alarmed.
Your dog may experience an upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomit, but it should be self-limiting.
Ensure your dog has access to plenty of water or plain fluids.
Call your vet immediately if your dog becomes lethargic or if the symptoms don’t disappear.
The size of your dog will also determine how they digest the fig bars.
For a smaller dog, high amounts of sugar and oils may be too much to handle compared to their larger counterparts.
Can diabetic dogs eat fig bars?
Avoid feeding your diabetic dog fig bars as they contain too much sugar.
The high sugar content in fig bars may spike your dog’s blood glucose levels leading to insulin resistance and possibly causing death.
Why are store-bought fig bars not recommended for dogs?
While fig bars may not be entirely toxic to dogs, some of the ingredients that go into baking them may cause serious health issues for your dog.
These ingredients include:
Whole wheat flour – Although you can give your dog food or treats containing wheat flour, including fig bars, occasionally, it may have some limitations. Whole wheat flour may be unsuitable for dogs with wheat or gluten allergies as it may cause sneezing, itching or coughing
Fig paste – Fig paste is made by pureeing figs and sugar. The excess sugar may be detrimental to your dog’s health as it can lead to rapid weight gain, metabolic changes, and diabetes. Some of the symptoms of too much sugar consumption can be an upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting
Brown rice syrup – Brown rice syrup has an extremely high glycemic index that can quickly raise blood sugar levels in dogs. If your dog eats too many fig bars, he may suffer obesity, diabetes, and other heart-related issues
Glycerin – Glycerin is sugar alcohol your dog cannot fully absorb. If your dog ingests too many fig bars, he may experience significant side effects and potential health risks, especially if he’s sensitive to glycerin. Some of the symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Sea salt – Allowing your dog to eat foods or treats containing salt like fig bars in excess can be poisonous. Excess salt can cause dehydration or salt poisoning. Some of the symptoms of salt poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, incoordination, and seizures in dogs
Citric acid – Foods containing citric acid, like fig bars, can be problematic for dogs when consumed in large quantities. Your dog may experience some intestinal distress like bloating, and if left untreated, it can result in central nervous system depression
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
