Yellow: with caution
A little fresh flesh is fine; leaves and twigs are not. The American Kennel Club considers small amounts of fresh fig safe for dogs. The plant itself is not.
Why figs are marked yellow
Searching the ASPCA database for “Fig” brings up an entry marked “toxic to dogs”. The scientific name given is Ficus benjamina, the weeping fig, a popular houseplant. According to the ASPCA, the toxic substances are the enzyme ficin and psoralens, which irritate the stomach, intestines and skin. The Pet Poison Helpline says many species in the Ficus genus contain an irritating milky sap. Neither entry comments on the fruit itself. The AKC recommends giving only the soft flesh of a fresh fig and keeping leaves, bark and twigs away. Since only part is safe, figs are marked yellow.
How to serve fig safely
- Wash it: Rinse fresh figs thoroughly.
- Only the flesh: Remove the stalk and all plant material, then cut the soft flesh into small pieces.
- No dried figs: According to the AKC, dried figs contain much more sugar, as do fig biscuits.
- Watch houseplants: Keep a weeping fig in the living room out of reach, especially of puppies.
What if your dog has eaten too much?
Many figs at once have a laxative effect; the AKC says diarrhoea and vomiting are possible. Offer water and monitor your dog. If symptoms persist, call your vet. If your dog has chewed leaves, twigs or a fig houseplant, contact your vet straight away. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, this can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, reduced appetite and skin irritation.
If you suspect poisoning, take your dog to a vet or an emergency veterinary service immediately.
Snacks count towards the daily food allowance. Our free food calculator works out how much your dog needs, and you can find a complete feeding plan with guidelines for treats in our book “Hundeernährung und Futterplan” (book in German). New to life with a puppy? Our free Puppy Starter Pack can help. And if you would love to see your dog on your living room wall, explore our dog portraits from your own photo, available as a framed portrait or digital file.
Further reading
- Calculating your dog’s food allowance: how much your dog really needs
- Is my dog overweight? How to check body shape and ideal weight
- Puppy checklist: essentials and the first 3 days
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Fig (Ficus benjamina) and Weeping Fig (Ficus sp.), Toxic to Dogs, toxic principles ficin and psoralen; Pet Poison Helpline, Ficus; American Kennel Club, Can Dogs Eat Figs?
The links to our books are affiliate links. Buying through them supports us at no extra cost to you.
