Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Don’t you just love dates? These are wonderful treats that most people enjoy. And we’re pretty sure if you’re enjoying dates and your dog comes along, he will beg for some, too! But are dates safe for dogs? What about the date pits?
Has your dog eaten a date pit? Are you worried the date pit will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve put together some information about dates, date pits, and whether date pits can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What are Dates & Date Pits?
Dates are sweet, yummy treats that many of us enjoy. They’re a versatile fruit that can be eaten with just about any meal or dish. Dates grow on trees called date palms and are native to the Middle East. The fruit grows in large clusters and hangs high off the ground.
These fruits are full of sugar—they’re very sweet! They contain high amounts of sugar that becomes more developed as the date is dried.
Date pits are the seed of the date fruit. They usually aren’t eaten; however, processed date pits are sometimes used in animal feed, as a source of oil, a coffee substitute, and more.
While the dates are safe for humans, what about dogs? And what about date pits? Can these be harmful to dogs?
Dates, Date Pits, & Dogs
Dates are not really safe for dogs; the fruit contains way too much sugar for our canine companions. However, they are not toxic to dogs, which is good news. Dogs can eat a date or so once in a while and be OK. However, they shouldn’t eat dates on a regular basis because of the sugar.
What about date pits? Date pits can also be dangerous. They can be a choking hazard or even become lodged in the dog’s digestive tract, leading to an intestinal obstruction.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of an Intestinal Blockage in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten date pits:
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Excessive drooling
- Burping
- Abdominal pain & swelling
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency. And if your dog is showing signs of choking, call the vet right now.
The vet will remove the pit from your dog’s throat if he’s having breathing difficulties. And if your dog has signs of an intestinal blockage, the vet may need to perform emergency surgery to safely remove the blockage.
So, never let your dog eat too many dates. And if you do allow your dog to have a date or two, then remove the pits first. Then your dog can safely enjoy dates as a once-in-a-while treat!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now
