Can dogs or cats eat dates?

September 18, 2023
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding your pet’s care, treatment, or medical conditions.

Can dogs eat dates?

Is your dog ready for their first date with...dates?

The good news is that dogs can have dates in moderation! They're full of vitamins such as vitamin B6, iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and selenium, which are beneficial for the overall health of dogs.

However, despite their health halo, dates are also full of sugar. Too many dates could lead to gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea or vomiting and, eventually, obesity in your dog.

Try feeding a teeny square at a time, and make sure to avoid the pit, as it can be a choking hazard.

If your dog eats dates and is showing signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhea, or vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately. If they require veterinary care related to eating unsafe foods, dog insurance may help cover the cost of treatment.

Can cats eat dates?

Is your cat pining for a bite of a tasty date?

Dates offer a range of antioxidants with potential anti-inflammatory properties. However, they also add quite a bit of unnecessary sugar to your cat's diet. A teeny piece may be fine, but too much can lead to digestive problems such as diarrhea or other gastrointestinal ailments in cats. In the long term, that added sugar could contribute to your cat developing diabetes or obesity. Not good!

If your cat eats dates and is showing signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhea, or vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately. If they require veterinary care related to eating unsafe foods, cat insurance may help cover the cost of treatment.

Information Purposes Only

The suggestions offered here are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for pet-specific advice from your veterinarian. Never disregard your vet’s recommendations, or delay in acting on them, based on something you have read on this site. Regardless of how a food is rated here, any food that you give your pet can pose potential health risks, including allergic reactions, choking, or other health conditions such as bloat. Always monitor your pet while they’re eating, and never introduce a new food into your pet’s diet without first consulting your veterinarian. 

Pet Poison Emergency Protocol

If your pet is acting sick, call your regular veterinarian immediately. If your regular veterinarian is closed, call a nearby on-call veterinarian, animal urgent care, or veterinary emergency hospital. If your pet is not acting sick but you think they may have been exposed to a poison, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661).

Food Safety Statuses

Safe

Could be given almost daily without harm

Safe in moderation

Not toxic, but should not be given regularly

Unsafe

Toxic or simply too risky to give to your pet