Yes, dogs can eat papaya. It is packed with healthy enzymes and fiber, which improves the digestive system of your pet. In addition, the presence of Vitamin A, C, K, E, along with the presence of folate, calcium, and potassium, improves the immune system and the heart health of your dog.
Table of Contents
What Is Papaya?
Papaya is a tropical fruit from the family Caricaceae. It was first cultivated in Central America and Southern Mexico and also produced in Florida and the Caribbean. The Food and Agricultural Organization in 2013 stated that India cultivates over 5 million tons of papaya.
It is also known as papaws, pawpaws. They are sweet and are packed with health-beneficiary elements. It is known to keep the heart healthy, along with the digestive system.
Is Papaya Safe for Dogs?
Yes, papaya is safe for dogs to consume. However, it is essential to feed the pulp alone. The harmful part of papaya which you should not feed to your dog are:
Papaya seeds: Dogs should not be given any fruits or vegetable seeds. The seeds lead to intestinal blockages. It also leads to diarrhea and vomiting.
Papaya skin: Papaya skin also causes blockages and affects the digestive system of the dog.
Dehydrated Papaya: You should not offer your dog dehydrated Papaya. It will cause digestion issues in dogs.
Also, remember that though papaya contains natural sugar, it is suggested not to feed the fruit to your diabetic dog.
Why Is Papaya Good for Dogs?
Papaya is suitable for dogs to consume as it is packed with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Therefore, it enhances the dog’s overall health and also helps in keeping away deadly diseases. Let us find out the nutrition present in papaya:
Papain: It is a plant-based enzyme. Papain helps in breaking down protein and improves the dog’s digestive system.
Vitamin A (Beta carotene): It is an antioxidant present in papaya. Vitamin A keeps the immune system on-track.
Lutein: It helps in the prohibition of macular degeneration. It also helps in lowering the risk of cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
Vitamin C: It helps keep the joint strong and improves the dog’s immune system.
Vitamin K: It helps in keeping a dog’s liver in good health. Vitamin K also aids in blood health.
Fiber: It helps in keeping the bowel movement regular and keeps away the chances of bloating and constipation. Fiber also supports the good bacteria in a dog’s body.
Potassium: It improves bone health, muscular strength, and also aids in the neural function of the dog’s body.
Calcium: Calcium keeps the dog’s bones and teeth healthy and strong. It also aids in heart health and keeps the nervous system healthy.
Magnesium: Magnesium aids in the muscle function of the dog’s body. It keeps heart-healthy.
Why is Papaya Bad for Dogs?
Papaya in moderation is safe for dogs. However, papaya seeds and papaya skin are harmful to dogs.
Papaya skin and leaves can lead to severe stomach pain. Consuming papaya skin also leads to choking hazards and digestive tract infections in dogs.
Papaya seeds contain a slight amount of cyanide which is harmful to dogs. Both papaya seeds and skin can lead to gastrointestinal blockage.
Allergies are common in dogs. It is, hence, best to offer your dog a minimal amount of papaya if it is the first time.
Papaya contains elements that initiate the Diamine Oxidase (DAO) enzyme, which aid in the breakdown of histamine. Hence, if your pet has issues related to histamine (suffers from mast cell tumors or environmental allergies), do not feed them papaya.
How Much Papaya to Feed Your Dog?
Always feed fresh papaya to your dog in moderation. Please do not make it his staple kibble. Half grams of papaya are safe per pound of the dog’s weight. 4 small slices of papaya are perfect for a day, depending on the size of your dog.
What if My Dog Ate Papaya?
As previously mentioned, papaya is safe for dogs in moderation. If your dog accidentally ate a significant amount of papaya along with its seeds, skin, and leaves, he would show symptoms including:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Gas
Allergic reactions
Digestive issues
Pancreatitis
Wait for 8-12 hours for these symptoms to develop. Then, take your dog to the veterinarian to rule out the issues and maintain the new diet chart given by your vet.
The new diet shall mainly contain bland food for your dog. This, along with the proper amount of water, can make your dog feel comfortable.
How to Serve Papaya to Your Dog?
Peel the skin off, cut into halves and remove the seeds. Wash the two halves of the papaya before slicing them down for your dog.
The slices should not be too large as they will choke your dog and make him uncomfortable; make them into bite-sized pieces. Remember not to feed your dog papaya every day. This might lead to pancreatitis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Puppies Eat Papaya?
No, you should not feed your puppies papaya. This is because their little stomachs cannot digest the sugar and fiber in the fruit and can even upset their stomachs. Hence, it is best to avoid.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Papaya?
No, dogs cannot eat canned papaya.This is because they contain xylitol and other harmful additives which should not be given to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Dehydrated Papaya?
No, dogs cannot eat dehydrated papaya. This is because they contain concentrated sugar and can cause obesity and diabetes. Therefore, it is best to avoid offering dehydrated papaya to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Golden Papaya?
Yes, dogs can eat golden papaya, provided the leaves, skin, and seeds are removed, then sliced into small sizes.
Can Dogs Eat Black Papaya?
There’s nothing called black papaya. However, there can be black spots on the fruit, which is a sign of fungal disease. This is common in the fruit during wet weather. Hence, do not feed your pet papayas with black spots on them.
Can Dogs Eat Mexican Papaya?
Yes, dogs can eat Mexican papaya in moderation, provided the seeds, skin, and leaves are removed.
Can Dogs Eat Ripe Papaya?
Yes, dogs can eat ripe papaya. However, you must remove the skin, seeds, and leaves before offering them to your dog.
Conclusion
To conclude whether or not dogs can eat papaya, we can comprehend that papaya is suitable for dogs in moderation. It has an enormous number of health benefits, minerals, and vitamins. Remember to remove the seeds, skin, and leaves of the papaya to avoid any digestive issues. Offer papaya to your dog according to his size. Provide your pet with healthy foods like papaya to grow stronger.
