We all enjoy eating fig newtons. It will not be wrong to say that most of us grew up eating the fig newton and still love to eat it. But what about the dogs. Dog owners are always concerned about their dog’s health when sharing their favorite childhood snack with the dog. They ask the question that can dog eat fig newtons? The dogs can not eat fig newtons. It is not toxic in nature, but still, it can cause many health issues to the dogs.
What Are Fig Newtons?
The fig newton is a combo of bakery products and fruit paste. As there is the sweet and citrus, fig paste filled inside the soft cake. This is a perfect combo of two types of taste.
It is a highly consumed snack in the united states. There are one billion fig newtons each year in the U.S. this is the 3rd most popular snack in America. The fog newtons were first made by Charles Roser in 1891.
Ingredients Of The Fig Newtons
To understand the answer to the question, can dogs eat fig newtons? We have to see the ingredients list of the fig newtons. Following ingredients are used in the manufacturing of the fig newtons:
- Figs
- Whole grain wheat flour
- Enriched flour
- Invert sugar
- Salt
- Malic acid
- Corn syrup
- Palm oil
- Canola oil
- Calcium lactate
- Baking soda
- Sodium benzoates
- Sulfur dioxide
- Artificial flavors
- Soy lecithin
- Hydrogenated cottonseed oil
Can Dogs Eat Fig Newtons?
Sharing the fig newtons with your dog is not a wise idea. Because the fig newtons contain too much sugar and fat content. When we see the ingredients list mentioned above, we can see salts, preservatives, and artificial flavors in it. These ingredients are not suitable for the health of the dogs. So, it will be a wise act you don’t share the fig newtons with the dog.
Benefits Of Fig Newtons To Dogs
The fig newton contains some nutrients which can provide some health benefits to the dog. Such as the fig’s dietary fibers help the dog maintain the excellent health of the stomach. And sodium and potassium are good to keep a healthy nervous system. But there are fewer benefits and more health risks of fig newtons to the dogs. So you should avoid giving the fig newtons to the dog.
Health Issues To The Dogs Due To Fig Newtons
The ingredients list of the fig newtons can make us understand the harms of the fig newtons to the dog. There is a very high amount of sugar and fat content in the fig newtons. And we can also see the preservatives and the artificial flavors and salts in the fig newtons. So, it can cause health issues to the dog as follows:
High Sugar Content
The sugar content in the fig newton is very high. If you share the fig newton with your dog, you are offering the high sugar content to the dog. This high sugar content in the fig newtons can cause diabetes in dogs. And it can also lead to other problems in dogs.
High-Calorie Count
The high number of calories or fat content is terrible for both humans and also for dogs. Because fatty food contains high-fat content, can cause several health issues to the dog. one of the significant health concerns to the dog due to high-fat content food like fig newtons is weight gain and obesity.
If your dog eats the fig newton frequently, there are chances that the dog will get fat and gain weight quickly. And when your dog gets obese, your dog will feel lazy. And the physical activity of the dog will be decreased. This decrease in physical activity can lead to heart diseases.
The Salt Content In The Fig Newtons
the salts are essential to regulate the healthy physiology of the dog. But if the amount of salt in the dog’s body increases, this will cause health problems to the dogs. The high salt content in the body can badly damage the kidneys of the dog. As the body receives the high salt content, the kidneys start working hard to remove the extra salt from the body. And this sudden and strenuous activity of the kidneys will lead to severe damage to the kidneys.
Symptoms of illness due to eating high salt food are as follows:
- Dehydration
- Nausea
- Excessive urination
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach upset
Sometimes when the salt content is too high, it can cause tremors and seizures in the dogs.
Artificial Flavors
Artificial flavors are used in the manufacturing of fig newtons to enhance the taste of fig newtons. These artificial flavors are not suitable for the health of the dog.
Fig Allergy In Dogs
Some dogs are allergic to figs. The fig is not commonly known to cause the allergy in dogs. But still, your dogs may have an allergy to figs. If your dog has a fig allergy and your dog has eaten the fig newtons or fig, your dog will show the following symptoms of illness:
- watery eyes
- Face pawing
- Vomiting
- Oral pain
- Sores in the mouth and tongue
- Diarrhea
- Skin irritation
So, these are some significant health risks of the fig newtons to the dogs.
How To Prevent The Dog From Eating Fig Newtons?
The dog will only eat fig newton if you offer it to your dog or find it anywhere in your home. So to prevent your dog from eating the fig newtons,
- you have to say no to your dog when your dog demands the fog newtons from you.
- Try it that you don’t eat the fig newtons in front of your dog.
- Always keep the fig newtons out of the approach of the dog.
FAQs
Can dogs eat fig newtons?
The fig newtons do not have anything poisonous in it. But still, it is not healthy for the dogs. So it will be good if you avoid sharing the fig newtons with your dog.
Are fig newtons healthy to eat for a dogs?
The fig newtons contain some nutrients which can provide health benefits to the dogs. But there are fewer health benefits and more health issues offered by giving the fig newtons to the dog. So being on the safe side, it is good if your do not allow your dog to eat fig newtons.
What if my dog overeats fig newtons?
If your dog has eaten a bite of fig newton or a little bit more then it will be ok for the dog. But if your dog has overeaten fig newtons, you can suffer from some health issues such as:
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Stomach issues
- Irritated behavior of the dog
- Diarrhea
If you notice the above symptoms of illness, I your dog after eating the fig newtons. You have to quickly approach the vet to give your dog a proper check-up and treatment.
Conclusion
The fig newtons are liked by almost everyone. These are childhood snacks, and most of the use still used to eat them. But many dog owners get worried when it comes to their dog, and they ask the question that can dog eat fig newtons? As I’ve mentioned above, there are more health risks and fewer health benefits provided to the dog. So, if you want to be on the safe side, it will be a wise decision to not share the fig newtons with the dogs.
There are also possibilities that your dog is allergic to figs. So, you should first consult the vet before giving the fig newtons or any other fig food to the dog. Because the vet will make you sure that your dog is allergic or not to the fig.
