Can dogs eat it?
Can dogs eat figs?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Figs are best kept as a rare taste, if offered at all. The fig tree's leaves, stems and milky sap contain irritants and are listed as toxic to dogs, causing stomach upset and skin irritation. A small piece of ripe fruit is unlikely to cause serious harm, but figs are high in sugar and fiber, and dried figs even more so.
The tree is the bigger concern
Fig trees, including the common edible fig and the weeping fig kept as a houseplant, contain compounds in their sap that irritate the mouth, gut and skin. Dogs chewing leaves or branches can drool, vomit and develop sore lips. Sap on the skin can cause redness, especially in sunlight.
Keep indoor fig plants out of reach of puppies and chewers.
Fresh fruit in moderation
A ripe fresh fig has around 35 to 40 calories and plenty of fiber. If you do share, a quarter of a fig suits a medium dog, and one small piece is plenty for a small dog. More than that often leads to loose stools.
Cut the fig into small pieces rather than handing it over whole. The skin is soft and edible, but the stem end should be removed because it contains more of the milky sap.
Dried figs and fig rolls
Dried figs are concentrated: about 250 calories per 100 g and a strong laxative effect. Fig rolls and fig biscuits add flour, sugar and fat. A dog that has eaten a packet of dried figs may have a day of diarrhea; check the packet for any raisins in mixed dried fruit.
Windfalls under fig trees
Fig trees in Mediterranean gardens drop ripe and rotting fruit in late summer. Fermenting figs attract wasps and can upset a dog's stomach. Collect them regularly if your dog has access to the tree.
Key takeaways
- Fig leaves, stems and sap are irritating and listed as toxic to dogs.
- A small piece of ripe fruit is unlikely to be serious.
- Dried figs are sugary and strongly laxative.
- Keep indoor fig plants away from chewers.