No, dogs should not eat Fig Newtons because they are rich in calories and sugar. The high sugar content is not suited for diabetic dogs since it results in a blood glucose rise. The harmful ingredients for dogs present in Fig Newtons are whole wheat grain flour, inverted sugar (glucose and fructose), corn syrup, sugar, salt, baking soda, canola oil, and palm oil.
Table of Contents
What is Fig Newton?
Fig Newtons are cookies made out of fig. The plant or fruits of approximately 850 species of Ficus of the Moraceae family, sometimes known as the mulberry family, are referred to as fig. Ficus carica (common fig) and Ficus benjamina or weeping fig are the two common species.
Is Fig Newton Safe for Dogs?
No, Fig Newtons are not safe for dogs to eat. The calorie content is higher than the requirement. Your dog diet should not exceed 10% of total calorie consumption.
These cookies include Sulfur dioxide (a preservative) as well as common allergens such as milk, wheat, soy, and gluten, making them unsuitable for dogs who are allergic to any of these components.
Why is Fig Newton Bad for Dogs?
Firstly, let us look at the ingredients which are used to make Fig Newtons:
A single Fig Newton cookie contains around 5% sugar, invert syrup, and fructose corn syrup. This indicates that about 12g of a cookie is made up of sugar. A Fig Newton cookie contains artificial flavors, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, added preservatives, and sulfites, in addition to sugar. All of them are extremely harmful to dogs.
Fig Newton also contains sodium. A single cookie contains 95 mg of sodium which is way too much for a dog. A 33-pound dog must have an average of 200mg of sodium, which a dog receives from the dog food diet. The consequences which might occur if your dog consumes fig newtons are:
Hyperactivity
Skin rashes
Wheezing
Diabetes
Obesity
Blood pressure
Kidney disease
Arthritis
Weight loss/gain
Excessive urination
Gossypol poisoning
Partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil in Fig Newtons causes gossypol poisoning in dogs. It is a degenerative disease that affects the cardiac, reproductive, and renal systems all at once, resulting in death due to cardiac arrest.
How Much Fig Newtons to Feed Your Dog?
Fig Newtons are not beneficial for dogs. The ingredients used to prepare the Fig Newton are harmful to consume dogs. Therefore, it is best to refrain your dog from eating Fig Newtons.
What If My Dog Ate Fig Newtons?
Fig Newtons are not recommended for your dog to eat. If your dog ate Fig Newtons, the immediate symptoms he would most likely exhibit are:
Skin rashes
Wheezing
Excessive urination
Hyperactivity
Watery eyes
Oral disturbances
A high amount of Fig Newtons consumption would show symptoms gradually. Those are:
Weight loss or gain
Cardiac Issues
Kidney issues
Arthritis
Reproductive issues
Diabetes
Obesity
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Take your dog to a vet immediately after he consumes Fig Newtons. However, if your dog is not showing symptoms, it is still best to consult a doctor and be on a regular checkup.
For immediate relief, provide water to your dog to soothe his stomach.
Alternatives to Fig Newtons
Homemade Fig Newtons!! You can prepare Fig Newtons at home in a dog-friendly manner.
Ingredients needed:
3 cups of dried figs
Juice of 1 orange
1 cup + 2 ½ tablespoon of water
¼ cup unsweetened apple sauce
2 tablespoons of coconut oil (additional 1 tablespoon for brushing)
Soak the figs in orange juice and water for an hour.
Boil the mixture for 20 minutes. The fig must be soft by then.
Switch off the induction/oven/gas and smash the figs into paste.
Keep the fig spread aside.
Cookie Dough
Take a mixing bowl to combine apple sauce, water and coconut oil.
Combine oat flour, ground cinnamon, and baking powder in another bowl.
Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
Press and stir both to create a plain and homogeneous dough.
Make use of a rolling to roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick.
Spread the prepared fig spread on one side of the dough.
Fold or roll the dough as such, to keep the jam in between the dough.
Slice the dough into bite-sized treats for your dog. Place them on a baking pan.
Bake the uncooked Fig Newtons into 350°F for 12 minutes. Let the color change to golden brown.
Remove the slices from the baking pan after it is done. Bring it to room temperature and store it in an airtight container.
Tips
It is best to let the Fig Newtons sit overnight to give it a soft texture.
Use it as a recreational treat. Do not treat them with the cookies frequently. The ample amount of fiber can disrupt the digestive system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Have Figs?
Yes, dogs can have raw or dried figs once or twice a week. The fiber content can lead to diarrhea if fed regularly.
Can Dogs Have Fig Plants or Stem?
Dogs should not consume fig leaves, bark, stems, or unripe fruits because its milky fluid (latex sap) contains ficin and psoralen, both of which are poisonous to dogs. While the leaves and bark have the maximum concentration, the fresh fruit skin and rind have some reductions as they ripen.
Can Puppies Have Fig Newtons?
No, puppies cannot have Fig Newtons as their entire body mechanism is more vulnerable than the adult dogs.
Conclusion
Fig Newtons are not healthy snacks for dogs. The ingredients with which the Fig Newtons are made are harmful to dogs and should be strictly prohibited. They can cause a simple skin rash to a deadly cardiac arrest. It is best to treat your dog with healthy and dog-friendly treats, or homemade newtons. If your dog has consumed a bunch of Fig Newtons, visit the vet for further consultation.
