Chris Buckland
Pets are the new babies, and houseplants are the new pets. If you have both, you are in trouble because dogs and cats are allergic to some plants. Therefore, if you are a dog owner, you should know which houseplants are safe to keep around. A fig plant is one such houseplant. In this article, you know about can dogs eat figs?
Both can be hazardous to a dog, whether it’s a fig, the fruit, or a fig plant. So, why can’t dogs eat figs or fig plants? Let’s find out!
Figs and The Fig Plant
Ficus Carica is a small tree species in the Mulberry (Moraceae) family. It is native to Mediterranean and South-Western Asian regions. Now, it is widely cultivated in different parts of the world as a fruit plant as well as an ornamental plant.
Figs are common houseplants with rubbery, glossy leaves. They grow in a variety of shapes and sizes and are easy to maintain.
This plant is also known as a rubber plant or rubber tree due to the rubbery nature of its leaves. As the name suggests, a fig plant produces fig, a super sweet edible fruit.
Can Dog Eat Figs?
Figs, in any form, whether fresh or dried, are a super nutritious addition to any dietary plan out there. They offer numerous health benefits. However, none of that matters right now because, well, you are wondering whether you can also feed your dog some figs.
Figs provide many nutritional benefits to dogs as well, and many dog owners often feed these fruits to their pups. Figs are rich in sugar, fiber, and potassium.
The sugars keep your dog active, fiber maintains a healthy digestive system and potassium for dogs can increase cardiovascular strength. Plus, feeding figs to your dogs can also lower the dog’s blood pressure.
Moreover, if you want to get your dog to lose weight, figs can be very helpful. As figs are filling, and just one or two figs can keep your dog’s hunger at bay.
Now, one thing to note here is that you should only feed your dog fresh figs. Organic fresh figs are the safest for your dog. But, figs in other forms (such as dried or candied figs), are an absolute NO. Plus, things can also get dangerous and risky if you start overfeeding figs to your dog.
So, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind before you go ahead and feed figs to your dog. This includes the number of figs you give a dog to eat, the form of figs you give, and how they eat them.
Fig Poisoning In Dogs
Fig poisoning is not very common in dogs, but it can happen if ingested in a substantial amount. Fig poisoning in dogs can have serious health risks.
Fig Plant Poisoning:
As popular household plants, fig plants might not do very well in your house if you have a dog. Dogs usually face fig poisoning if they ever eat any part of this well-known plant. Why?
The fig plant can be toxic to dogs as the fig leaves contain a sap-like material called Ficin and Ficusin. Ficin and Ficusin are strong enzymes. This substance is harmful, especially when it comes in contact with your dog’s skin, mouth, or eyes.
Dogs who consume these substances often have an upset stomach along with diarrhea or vomiting. Sensitive dogs can also develop sores, rashes, and inflammation on their mouths and tongues.
Fig Fruit Poisoning
On the other hand, a large intake of the fruit itself can also cause digestive discomfort in dogs due to its high sugar content. Plus, figs are rich in deity fibers which can also cause an upset stomach in dogs.
Symptoms of Fig Poisoning in Dogs
The following symptoms of fig poisoning can be mild or harsh. But if your dog constantly shows any of the symptoms mentioned below, then you need to take him to a vet as soon as possible.
- Drooling
- Rubbing his face
- Pawing his face
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Watery Eyes
- Vomiting
- Mouth Pain
- Irritated skin
- Rashes
- Distress and behavioral issues
Treatment of Fig Poisoning in Dogs
Please take the suspected plant sample with you while going to the vet because it will help him assess the situation correctly. The vet will analyze the symptoms and take the blood test, urinary test, and other necessary tests to investigate the cause deeply.
And finally, with the help of all the test results and symptoms, he will reach a diagnosis to treat your dog accordingly.
Also, if your dog is having diarrhea or vomiting frequently, your vet will give him IV fluids to avoid dehydration and other issues. Your vet will also check the toxins or the plant/fruit ingested by your dog.
Types Of Treatments For Fig Poisoning In Dogs
Fig poisoning treatment depends on the symptoms or the number of toxins ingested by your dog. However, fig poisoning is not fatal but needs to be treated promptly. Your vet may use one or more of the following treatments for fig poisoning in dogs:
Emesis
If your dog has not vomited, your vet will give him a dose or two of activated charcoal. It will help your dog dispel the toxins and stop the toxins from being absorbed into the stomach.
Bathing and Rinsing Gently
Another way of treating fig poisoning in dogs is that if your dog has vomited, the vet will gently bathe and rinse your dog. In this way, any toxic material still presents on the body will be washed off. Also, it will help to relieve skin irritation caused by fig poison.
Eye Wash
If your dog has watery eyes, your vet will probably wash his eyes gently to remove the toxic material from his eyes.
Intravenous Fluids
Your vet will give your dog intravenous fluids for:
- Hydration
- Proper kidney function and urination
- Low blood pressure
Topical Ointments
Your veterinarian will probably apply a general and soothing ointment to the affected area of your dog’s skin. It will also help to soothe inflammation, rashes, and any other skin irritation.
How To Feed Your Dog Figs?
To stick to the safe side, don’t feed your dog figs in large quantities. Instead of whole pieces, give smaller bits one by one. This will avoid choking and show early signs of any fig-induced allergies your dog might have. Furthermore, only feed fresh figs as they have a higher sugar content and higher water content.
Other Foods Dogs Can’t Eat
Dogs are easy to look after, especially when it comes to feeding them. They do not throw any tantrums like humans, but it doesn’t mean we can make them eat anything. If you feed your dog anything without proper knowledge, you can seriously harm them. So, if you have a dog, here is a list of foods considered to be dangerous for your dog:
Apple Seeds
It is considered that the casing of Apple seed is contagious for your pet, as it contains a very minute amount of cyanide which releases in the dog’s digestive tract and causes hypoxia or lack of oxygen delivery to the body.
Avocados
Avocados can be toxic for dogs and the most contagious part of avocados is the pit because it contains Persin, a plant toxic, in a large amount. Persin is a fungicidal toxin that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and myocardial damage.
Cooked Bones
Yup! Cooked bones are indeed dangerous for your dog’s health as they can be splintered very quickly. So, you should avoid giving cooked bones to your dog; instead, raw bones are beneficial for your dog, as they are suitable for your dog’s teeth, nutrition, and health.
Summing Up
Because figs are hazardous for your dog’s health, even if you have any other pet, you need to be conscious about your home plantation. The reason behind this is pets usually chew random items in the household. And definitely, some of them are unhealthy for them, just like Figs.
The bottom line is to create a healthy environment for your pet. Check for any allergies, avoid toxic buying houseplants, and always keep a close eye on what goes into your dog’s mouth!
