Many dogs enjoy eating whatever kind of food their owner is eating, including some fruits like pears or apples. However, certain fruits such as grapes are toxic to dogs. If you like exotic fruits, you may be wondering: can dogs eat papaya?
Dogs can eat papaya. Moderate amounts of papaya are actually good for a dog’s health, as papayas contain several vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that can enhance your dog’s health. Some parts of the papaya should never be given to dogs, and too much papaya may make them sick.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits and risks of feeding papaya to a dog, as well as other important information.
Is papaya safe for your dog?
Papayas are rich with healthy components for both humans and dogs. Some of these items may be missing from generic brands of dog food, so papayas can be one small supplement to a dog’s diet.
Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional components of papaya:
| Papaya | |
| Water | 88.06 g |
| Total Fat | 0.26 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10.82 g |
| Fiber | 1.7 g |
| Protein | 0.47 g |
| Sugars | 7.82 g |
| Magnesium | 21 mg |
| Phosphorous | 10 mg |
| Potassium | 182 mg |
| Vitamin A | 950 IU |
| Vitamin C | 60.9 mg |
| Vitamin E | 0.3 mg |
| Vitamin K | 2.6 ug |
| Calories | 43 |
Vitamins and minerals
Papayas have plenty of vitamin A, C, E, and K, which fortify a dog’s immune system and provide them with more energy. These vitamins reduce the risk of plaque building up and causing heart problems, as well.
This fruit is also full of minerals. The calcium, magnesium, folate, and potassium in papayas are all necessary for a dog’s proper growth.
Fiber
The fiber in papayas promotes activity in a dog’s digestive tract. Fiber makes a dog feel fuller, so they are less likely to overeat. Papaya may help if a dog has slight digestive problems or heartburn, but any serious issues should be handled by a vet.
What are the risks?
While the benefits of papaya for dogs are amazing, owners should be mindful of a few risks. Be mindful of the following risks when feeding papaya to a dog:
Toxic parts of papaya for dogs
The seeds, peel, and leaves of papayas may be toxic to dogs and must be removed. The seeds have natural toxicity, whereas the peel and leaves may have chemicals or bugs that would be harmful to dogs. Any seeds or peel will definitely also be tough for a dog to digest and might cause a blockage.
Canine allergic reactions to papaya
Some dogs are allergic to papaya. After giving them a small amount, watch for symptoms like bloating, vomiting, or diarrhea. Consult with your vet if you are not sure whether or not the dog is experiencing allergy symptoms.
Can dogs eat papaya enzymes?
Papain is a proteolytic enzyme that’s contained within the raw fruit of the papaya. Enzymes of this nature are excellent at helping to break down proteins into their amino acid constituents. The impact is that some proteins that a dog may have trouble breaking down can be aided by the addition of papain or papaya enzymes to their diet.
When using concentrated papaya enzymes or any digestive enzymes with your dog be sure to follow the directions on the bottle and the advice of your veterinarian. Papain can cause an allergic reaction in your dog so be mindful of this and go slow and be sure to observe the wellbeing of your dog during the treatment.
How should it be served?
For large or medium dogs that are not allergic, they may eat up to four slices of papaya a day, and no more than three or four days a week. Feeding a dog any more papaya than this may cause stomach problems and vomiting. Dogs should be given fresh papaya, as this is how they receive all of the benefits outlined above.
Dehydrated or frozen papaya should probably be avoided. Dehydrated papaya has a lot of extra concentrated sugars in it, and frozen papaya will bother dogs with sensitive teeth.
How much papaya can a dog eat?
Not only can dogs eat papaya, but it is also incredibly good for them in moderation. The vitamins and minerals in papayas boost a dog’s growth, digestive tract, and immune system. Fresh papaya is the best kind to serve a dog, and they may have a few slices every three or four days.
However, some dogs are allergic to papayas. The allergy symptoms are similar to those of overfeeding papaya to a dog: stomach issues like diarrhea or vomiting. The seeds, peel, and leaves of papaya should never be given to a dog, as they tend to be toxic to dogs.
So if you’d like to try sharing papaya with your dog be sure to start slow. Give your dog one or two pieces of papaya one day and just observe their response. If your dog handles the papaya well with no adverse reactions, you can increase the amount given the next time. Start slow, maintain moderation, and observe their response, that’s the key.
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