It’s no unknown fact that dogs are curious beings, keen on exploring the world through their noses. And, when it comes to taking a sneak peek into what their human friends are eating, their olfactory senses become stronger. They’ll be more keen to know what their masters have on their plate and won’t leave the slightest opportunity to grab a bite.
Is your dog super obsessed with the lip-smacking chocolate cookies you often eat? How about Fig Newtons, the tasty cookies with delicious fruit fillings? The moment you open the wrapper and go on to have a bite, you could find your dog coming from nowhere and jumping onto your lap to demand his share. Will you fall for his innocent looks and submit to his demands?
You better not. Before you give him a bite of these tasty cookies, you must know whether they are safe for your dog. In the following sections, you’ll learn more about the safety of Fig Newton for dogs.
Are Fig Newtons Toxic to Dogs?
If your dog ate the leftover Fig Newton from your plate, it could leave you worried about his safety. Before you stress, the good news is that fig newtons are not toxic to dogs. Your canine will be fine if he eats a bite of the same. But that doesn’t mean you could be liberal in feeding your dog Fig Newton.
They aren’t healthy for your dog because of the ingredients in their preparation. These delicious cookies are prepared from wheat flour, corn syrup, figs, and sugar. Each ingredient could harm the dog if it goes into his system excessively. Suppose your dog is obese or suffering from diabetes. Then, even small amounts of Fig Newtons might exacerbate their condition further.
Are Fig Newtons Bad For Dogs – A Detailed Explanation
As mentioned above, Fig Newtons aren’t toxic for dogs but aren’t a healthy option either. When your dog eats it in excessive amounts or regularly, it could affect his health adversely.
- Fig Newtons are high in sugar – 12 grams per serving. So, when your dog eats this cookie quite often or in large amounts in each go, it might result in obesity in the long run. The increased sugar content in this cookie could even put your dog at risk of diabetes, especially if he has it frequently.
- These cookies contain cottonseed oil, suitable for dogs when eaten in measured amounts. But, increased cottonseed oil consumption could harm your dog’s health. Cottonseed oil contains gossypol, a toxic substance. If too much of it gets into your dog’s system, it may cause gossypol poisoning.
- Another ingredient in Fig Newtons is wheat flour, which some dogs might be allergic to. If your dog sneezes, itches, coughs, or has red, inflamed skin or itchy ears after having the cookies, it means he is allergic to gluten. You will have to prevent him from eating the cookies any further.
- Fig Newtons also consists of corn syrup, which is unsuitable for dogs, especially if they have it in increased amounts. Its high sugar content is the main reason, as it may result in obesity and diabetes in the long run. Other conditions your dog may face due to prolonged consumption of corn syrup include allergies, cataracts, and tooth decay.
- These cookies have an increased sodium content – 95 mg in a single cookie serving. Dogs need around 0.5% sodium in their diet daily. So, suppose you have a small or medium dog who is also meeting its daily salt intake from other food sources. Then, an additional 95 mg may be too much in that case, mainly if your dog eats Fig Newtons frequently.
When your dog has an increased sodium intake, it may lead to salt poisoning. The symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, increased thirst, excessive urination, loss of appetite, dehydration, etc. - The artificial colorings, flavors, and preservatives in Fig Newtons are harmful to your dog as they have many health hazards. They could trigger allergic reactions, lead to gastrointestinal disorders, and may even result in cancer in the long run.
Can Dogs Be Allergic to Figs?
Dogs aren’t mostly allergic to figs, but some canines might not be able to withstand figs and may develop allergies. So, it is always advisable to give your dog the fruit in small amounts and check how well he digests the same.
Suppose he shows allergy symptoms like stomach upset, wheezing, itching, breathing problems, or excessive drooling. In that case, you must take him to the vet as soon as possible.
Fresh figs are all right for dogs, but dried figs aren’t because of their increased sugar concentration.
Moreover, you must also ensure that your dog doesn’t go near fig trees because the leaves may result in toxicity, causing severe inflammation. Regarding Fig Newtons, as mentioned above, your dog may be allergic to gluten or any other ingredient in the cookie.
What To Do if Your Dog Eats Fig Newtons?
It depends on how much Fig Newtons your dog ate and his size. If a small dog ingests even a minimum amount of the cookies, he’ll be affected more than a big dog eating the same number.
If your canine ate just a bite of it, then there is perhaps nothing to worry about. Yet, you should monitor his symptoms, and if you find him in discomfort, then talk to the vet immediately.
However, if your dog ate around five to six servings of Fig Newton in a go, there are chances that he could fall sick. You need to seek medical help right away in such cases. You might also be worried if your diabetic dog ate quite a few of these cookies, which could further damage his health.
You need to watch out for these symptoms in your dog if he has eaten a significant amount of these tasty cookies:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pain and discomfort
- Allergic reactions
- Increased thirst
- Excessive drooling
- Increased urination
In most cases, the symptoms would be minor, confined to digestive disorders. Any severe symptoms are a medical emergency, needing immediate vet consultation.
How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Fig Newtons?
If your dog cannot keep his hands off Fig Newton and is severely obsessed with these cookies, then you would need to find ways to prevent him from eating the same. Here are a few things to do from your end:
- Ensure you do not have leftovers on your plate after you have feasted on these cookies.
- Avoid encouraging your dog to eat these cookies by offering him table scraps. If you have kids at home, you should also make them aware of the harm Fig Newtons may do to your dog. That will prevent them from pampering your pet with these cookies, especially in your absence.
- Keep the Fig Newtons away from your dog’s reach, like inside a cabinet or on a high shelf.
- If your dog is well-trained to follow commands, then use a firm NO each time he picks up a cookie that you mistakenly dropped on the ground or that is lying on your plate. You could reward him with a healthy treat if he listens to you and doesn’t eat the same.
Can Dog Eat Plain Figs?
If your dog is interested in the flavor of the fig, the main ingredient in Fig Newton, then you may feed him plain fig in moderation. It is safe for your dog and won’t cause harm when you give it to him in measured amounts. However, if your dog has any underlying medical condition, then consult your vet before giving your dog plain figs.
FAQ’s
What to do when your dog eats a full sleeve of Fig Newton?
If your dog has eaten up an entire packet of Fig Newton, he is likely to fall sick. You will have to monitor his symptoms closely and contact a vet immediately.
Can dogs eat strawberry Fig Newtons and Fig bars?
Strawberry fig newtons are prepared from strawberry puree and lack artificial flavorings. Yet, it is unsafe for your dog due to its increased sugar content. Like the plain Fig Newtons, the strawberry-flavored ones also have wheat flour as one of their ingredients, which dogs could be allergic to. Moreover, they are high in calories and could trigger weight gain.
Fig bars are also a sugary treat you should refrain from giving your dogs. To treat your canine to fig bars, consider making them at home with safe ingredients. Also, limit the sugar intake.
Are Fig Newtons good for dogs in any way?
The fig in Fig Newton is rich in dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, Omega-3 fatty acids, and other essential nutrients. However, the other ingredients in Fig Newton will harm your dog more than good. So, if you give your dog Fig Newton with the expectation that it would benefit them in some way because of the fig content, then you are mistaken.
Conclusion
So, to conclude, if your dog has mistakenly gulped down one or two servings of Fig Newtons, there isn’t much for you to panic. It won’t cause him harm. But that doesn’t mean you will be encouraged to feed him more just because your dog digested it well. Your dog’s safety and health is of utmost importance. Therefore, as a pet owner, the onus lies in understanding which foods could do your dog good and those that could harm your dog.
Elena Gherman is a highly skilled and knowledgeable animal care expert. At the start of her career, she gained practical expertise with multiple animals. In addition to that, she works as a DVM veterinary editor for Joy Pet Products, which focuses on offering reliable information on pet health and wellbeing. She meticulously reviews each piece of writing before it is published to make sure pet owners get the most precise and updated information possible.