Though the jujube fruit a.k.a. Chinese date originated in Asia, it’s seeing increasing popularity worldwide thanks to its savory sweetness and amazing health benefits.
As fur parents, we want nothing more than to see our dogs healthy. So, should we feed them jujubes? Surely they’d enjoy its taste and gain from its nutritional value?
Unfortunately, jujubes can be both bad and good for dogs. They have nutrients that can boost your pet’s health, true. But an excess of these fruits can also harm canines. Therefore, if you’re going to feed your dog jujubes, make sure to do so occasionally, only.
Keep reading to learn more about jujubes for dogs!
What Makes Jujubes Bad for Dogs?
Jujubes contain nutrients a surplus of which can make your dog ill. In addition, jujube seeds and pits as well as the jujube plant itself are toxic to dogs.
Feeding dog jujubes can result in the following concerns:
The jujube fruit is high in sugar, which is bad for canines.
While sugar won’t poison your dog, it can cause digestive issues such as:
- Gas
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
A dog is more likely to experience such problems if they have low sugar tolerance and/or if they consume an abundance of jujubes. If vomiting or diarrhea grows severe but is left untreated, it could lead to extreme water loss and therefore potentially life-threatening dehydration.
Regularly feeding your dog jujubes can cause more serious long-term effects, such as:
- Dental problems
- Sugar addiction
- Obesity
- Hyperglycemia (a.k.a. high blood sugar level)
- Pancreatitis
The last three conditions are particularly dangerous.
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and heatstroke. It also makes a dog more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis, which can cause pain in the joints, thereby discouraging them from engaging in the exercise required to lose weight and become healthier.
Hyperglycemia (or high blood sugar level) can evolve into diabetes, a condition known to contribute to the development of cataracts, urinary tract infections, weakness in the hind legs, and other complications that can adversely impact a dog’s quality of life.
Untreated pancreatitis can have lethal consequences, especially during an acute attack. Other concerns it can result in include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dehydration, lethargy, poor appetite, depression, and fever.
Seek veterinary assistance if your dog displays any of the above symptoms after consuming jujubes.
This isn’t common knowledge but dogs can create their own vitamin C.
Yes, it’s true: canines produce vitamin C in their liver. Therefore, because they make enough of the stuff to keep themselves healthy, it’s typically unnecessary to give our pets additional vitamin C.
If a dog ingests more vitamin C than they need per day, they can experience diarrhea. Consuming vitamin C regularly can even encourage the growth of calcium oxalate bladder stones; if these stones aren’t removed as soon as possible, they can rupture the bladder and kill the dog.
Of course, there are cases when we should provide our pets with vitamin C supplementation in the form of food and/or meds. If your dog is ill and/or stressed, they can benefit greatly from vitamin C-rich foods such as jujubes.
Talk to your vet to find out whether or not your pooch requires vitamin C supplementation.
Cyanide poisoning
The jujube pits, seeds, and plants—including the leaves and the stalk—should be kept as far away as possible from your dog. These parts contain cyanide, which can cause deadly toxicity in your pet.
The symptoms of cyanide poisoning include:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid breathing/excess panting
- Unexplained excitement
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Watery eyes
- Inappropriate urination/defecation
- Bright red, then bluish mucus membranes
- Muscle spasms/convulsions
These symptoms generally appear around 15 minutes to a couple of hours after the consumption of toxic plants. If a dog experiences severe convulsions, they may die in 30 to 45 minutes.
For such reasons, it’s imperative that you rush your pooch to the vet if they eat anything that contains cyanide.
Bowel obstruction
When swallowed, jujube seeds and pits can get stuck in your dog’s gut to cause an obstruction.
The symptoms of a bowel obstruction include:
- Vomiting (may be recurring)
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration (due to fluid loss)
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Hunched back
- Whining
A bowel obstruction is extremely dangerous as it prevents liquids and solids from traveling through the digestive tract. The resultant reduction in blood flow can then cause parts of the bowels to deteriorate.
If left untreated, a bowel obstruction can rupture the intestines and kill your dog.
Remember: the smaller your dog, the greater the chance that gobbling up jujube seeds and pits can lead to a bowel obstruction.
Throat obstruction
The jujube seeds and pits can get lodged in the throat to cause choking.
Below are the signs your dog is choking:
- Persistent coughing (your dog’s attempt to expel the seeds/pits)
- Inhaling difficulty due to blocked airway
- Pawing at the mouth
- Panicked, frantic behavior
A dog can fall unconscious if the throat obstruction isn’t removed.
The smaller your dog, the more likely they are to choke on a jujube pit or seed.
What Makes Jujubes Good for Dogs?
As long as your dog is fed jujubes in moderation, the flesh of this fruit is extremely good for their health thanks to containing the following substances:
Vitamin C
Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties reduce inflammation and keep the immune system healthy, thereby offering protection against serious problems such as heart disease and various cancers.
Potassium
Potassium helps make heart and muscle contractions possible. It triggers nerve impulses, allowing the canine brain to transmit information throughout the body to make movement and many bodily functions possible. It also prevents dehydration by regulating fluid balance.
Fiber
Fiber allows your dog’s digestive system to stay in optimum health, therefore reducing the risk of gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and constipation.
It also allows your pet’s colon to recover rapidly from injury. It may even help stave off colon cancer.
FAQs About Jujubes for Dogs
It’s time to answer frequently asked questions about jujubes for dogs!
My dog ate jujubes. What should I do?
Start by not panicking. Then, figure out how many jujubes your dog ate, and whether or not they ate the seeds, pits, or any part of the plant.
If your dog ate only a few jujubes without any of the toxic parts, they’ll be fine.
There’s a chance your dog will experience digestive problems if they ate several, so keep an eye out for symptoms, and contact a vet for advice on how to help them.
If your dog ate the seeds, pits, or parts of the plant, call a veterinarian immediately and follow their instructions closely. You may have to rush them to the animal clinic or hospital to get them treated for cyanide toxicity.
If you can’t reach a vet, those in North America can call the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
How many jujubes should I feed my dog?
One or two jujubes a day should be enough, though remember that the smaller your dog, the fewer pieces they can eat. Also, ask your vet if it’s a good idea to feed your pet this fruit, as they may not need to eat it.
My dog is choking on jujube pits/seeds! What should I do?
Remain calm but act fast.
As it’ll be extremely difficult to get the seed or pit out using your fingers, you’ll have to perform the Heimlich maneuver.
If you have a small dog, place them on your lap, stomach up. Position your palm just below their ribcage, then gently push upward and inward. Do this 5 times. Repeat the process until the obstruction is ejected from the throat.
The maneuver is different for larger dogs.
If they’re on their side, place one hand on their back and the other on their abdomen. Squeeze or push the abdomen upward and forward toward their spine. Repeat this process until the blockage is ejected. It’s a good idea to have someone hold your pet down gently so they don’t struggle.
If the larger dog is standing, the technique is similar to how the Heimlich maneuver is performed on a human. Wrap your arms around their torso and link your hands into fists below their abdomen. Then, firmly and quickly thrust those fists upward and forward so they push on the abdomen. Do this 5 times. Repeat until the blockage is expelled.
After the seeds/pits are removed, contact a veterinarian immediately. Your pet may need to be hospitalized if they spend considerable time without oxygen. Their throat and mouth will also need to be examined for damage.
Conclusion
Yes, dogs can eat jujubes, but be extremely careful when feeding them this fruit. Never give them the seeds, pits, or plants as these parts are toxic to them. Also, canines can have this fruit in moderation only thanks to its high sugar and vitamin C content.