As a dog owner, you are too careful about the diet of your furry friend. Right? Do you prefer giving fruits to your dog? Searching for, “Can dogs eat papaya?” Concerned about whether or not this treat is safe for your pet? If so, you have come to the right place.
This article presents a comprehensive discussion on dogs eating papaya. It also elaborates on whether this fruit is safe or dangerous to your dog. In addition, you will learn to prepare papaya for your pet. Moreover, this read presents a list of fruits your dog can eat other than papaya. Let’s get into further details.
Can Dogs Eat Papaya Safely?
Yes, for most dogs, this fruit is absolutely safe to eat, but remember to maintain a moderate amount. It is rich in nutrients, which can offer a range of benefits to your canine friend.
One thing you must remember is that you must never forget to remove papaya seeds and skin while giving this treat to your pet. Doing this thing can keep your dog away from certain health issues. We will discuss it in detail later in this article.
Also read: Can Dogs Eat Crackers?
Is Papaya Healthy for Dogs?
Yes, giving your dog papaya is a healthy treat. It can be a great addition to your dog’s diet. Let’s look at the top benefits papaya can offer.
- Rich in Fiber: Papaya is high in fiber, which strengthens the digestive system of your dog. The fiber content keeps your furry friend away from health issues, such as diarrhea and constipation. Moreover, it ensures your pet has healthy and regular bowel movements.
- A Good Source of Nutrients: Papaya comes with a range of minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. They all are beneficial for your pet’s health. In addition, this fruit is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin E. Furthermore, this fruit also has folate, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
- A Natural Papain Source: The papain enzyme improves the overall digestive health of your furry friend by breaking down proteins. All papayas consist of this enzyme. The anti-inflammatory properties are useful for dogs with arthritis or joint pain.
How to Prepare Papaya for Your Dog?
You can get the papaya ready for your pet in 5 simple steps.
Step 1: Choose a Ripe Papaya
Pick a slightly soft papaya that is not overly mushy. Remember not to select an unripe papaya, as your dog may find it difficult to digest.
Step 2: Wash a Papaya
Don’t forget to gently wash the papaya before giving it to your canine friend. Washing removes all the dust or dirt from the fruit. It also removes chemicals, or pesticides, from the papaya’s skin.
Step 3: Remove the Skin & Seeds
The skin can be very difficult to digest for your pet. Therefore, peel it off completely. Similarly, seeds can be a choking hazard because they have small amounts of cyanide.
Step 4: Cut Slices
Now, cut papaya into small pieces or turn it into bite-sized cubes. You can also mash it for easy digestion. Try considering any of the options, considering the size of your dog.
Step 5: Serve
A few small pieces of papaya are enough for your dog. Giving this fruit to your dog in moderation is a key. As stated earlier, papaya is rich in fiber, so feeding your pet a large amount of this fruit may lead to a disturbed stomach.
Fun Ways to Feed Papaya to Your Dog
Now that you are familiar with preparing papaya for your canine, it is time to serve it in different ways, as listed below.
- Plain Papaya: Serve bite-sized, fresh pieces of papaya to your pet.
- Papaya Puree: Mix mashed papaya into the dog’s food to give it a whole new look.
- Homemade Dog Popsicles: Blend a small amount of yogurt with papaya. Then, freeze it in molds.
- Frozen Papaya: Freeze papaya chunks and serve them as refreshing snacks.
How Much Papaya Is Safe for My Dog?
The amount of papaya you can safely feed your dog largely depends on the pet’s size. Smaller amounts are recommended for small dogs, whereas bigger dogs can eat more, but not too much.
Usually, a few small chunks or bites taken occasionally are okay. Still, look for signs of an upset stomach. If anything unusual appears, stop feeding papaya to your pup. Below is a list of different amounts you can give to dogs of various sizes.
- Extra Small: The dogs under 20 lbs are known as extra small. You can give one or two small pieces of papaya to these dogs. Alternatively, you can feed them less than a tablespoon of papaya. Examples of these pups include Pugs, Chihuahuas, and Yorkies.
- Small: Dogs weighing between 21 and 30 lbs are called small ones. Three to four small pieces of papaya are enough for them. It is equivalent to one tablespoon. Examples include Beagles and Basenjis.
- Medium: If your dog weighs between 31 and 50 lbs, it is a medium dog, and you can serve it five to six small pieces of papaya. This dosage is equivalent to 1 to 2 tablespoons. Border Collies and Basset Hounds are the popular examples of medium-sized dogs.
- Large: If the dog’s weight is between 51 and 90 lbs, 2 tablespoons or seven to eight small pieces of papaya are good to go. Top examples include Australian Shepherds, Pit Bulls, and Labrador Retrievers.
- Extra Large: Dogs with 91+ lbs of weight are considered among the extra-large canines. You can give them around 10 small pieces of papaya. Alternatively, you can feed no more than a ¼ th a cup. Great Pyrenees, Newfoundlands, and St. Bernards are the common examples of extra large dogs.
Can Papaya Be Allergic to My Dog?
Though papaya is safe for most dogs, some may have an allergic reaction to it. However, sensitivity to papaya among dogs is rare. Below are the mild signs your dog is allergic to papaya.
- Watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Rashes or redness
- Excessive scratching
- Itchy skin
If your dog is severely allergic to papaya, the potential signs may include weakness, lethargy, difficulty in breathing, swelling on paws or face, and intense vomiting.
Read more: Can Dogs Eat Longans?
What to Do If Your Dog Is Allergic to Papaya?
Take these four steps instantly.
- Stop giving papaya to your canine immediately.
- Monitor symptoms closely. Mild reactions may disappear automatically.
- Give fresh water to your furry friend. It will help remove any irritants from the body.
- If the symptoms of severe reactions persist or worsen, contact your vet on a priority basis.
Prevent Allergic Reactions Instantly
- Always start with giving a small amount of papaya. Plus, keep your pet under your observation for the next 24 hours.
- Feed ripe, fresh papaya. Don’t forget to remove skin and seeds.
- Don’t give processed papaya to your pup.
What Other Fruits Can I Give My Dog?
There is a long list of dog-friendly fruits, including papaya, that you can safely feed in moderation. Let’s look at a few common fruits you can give your pet without any worry.
- Watermelon: It is a refreshing and hydrating dog treat. Don’t forget to remove rind and seeds before giving it to your canine.
- Mango: It is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Remove skin and pit before feeding.
- Apple: It is a great source of vitamin C and fiber. Remember to remove the core and seeds.
- Bananas: This tasty fruit is rich in fiber and potassium.
- Pineapple: It offers digestive enzymes. Always feed pineapple in small amounts to your dog.
Final Words
If you are wondering whether or not giving papaya to your dog is safe, you will be glad to know that this treat is safe for most dogs. However, keeping the dose in moderation is always recommended. Though the fruit itself is absolutely safe for your pet, be sure to remove skin and seeds to avoid any sort of inconvenience.
The discussion above covers how you can prepare papaya for your pup, how to serve it in different ways, and what to do if your dog shows allergic reactions to papaya. In addition, it also presents a list of other fruit treats you can safely give your canine friends.
FAQs
Can dogs eat papaya seeds?
No, you can’t give papaya seeds to your dogs, as they contain cyanide. Accidentally swallowing one or two papaya seeds may not be too risky, but larger quantities may cause severe health issues, such as digestive problems and a choking hazard.
Can dogs eat papaya skin?
It is not good to feed your dog papaya skin. Though the skin is not toxic, it can be difficult for your canine to digest it, and may lead to issues like intestinal blockage and upset stomach.
Can dogs eat canned or dried papaya?
As you know, canned papaya contains syrups, added sugars, or other preservatives. They all can be dangerous to your pup and may cause problems, including digestive upset and obesity. On the other hand, if you want to feed dried papaya to your dog, make sure it is unsweetened and plain. Plus, give very small amounts to your dog.
What happens if my dog eats too much papaya?
Eating large amounts of papaya can cause different health risks in dogs, such as vomiting, diarrhea, increased sugar intake, and stomach upset. To avoid all these issues, give a moderate amount of papaya to your pup.
