We all know that fruits and vegetables are good for humans. But that’s not always the case for dogs.
Yes, there are definitely a lot of fruits and veggies that are great for our doggos. But there are some that are not and could, in fact, be harmful to dogs. And others that may be okay, so long as we take proper precautions.
Dogs and Papayas
So, what about papaya? Is it good and healthy for our dogs to eat? Or is it bad and cause harm if we feed them that fruit?
Well, that is what we are here to answer in this article. But firstly, what exactly is papaya, and what are its benefits.
Health Benefits of Papaya
We all know that the sweet fruit, papaya, is good and healthy for us. And, as far as we’re concerned, this delicious and sweet fruit is one of the best tasting fruit around..
Not only that, but it is also used in beauty products such as certain types of soap.
Papaya is a soft and fleshy fruit that is used as an ingredient in various types of meals and even beverages. It is rich in Zeaxanthin, Beta-carotene, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Fiber, Potassium, and Choline.
Papaya is good for reducing the risk of macular degeneration thanks to its Zeaxanthin, preventing cancer thanks to its beta-carotene, and is also good food for diabetics. It also contains enzymes like chymopapain and papain which promote wound healing.
Can Dogs Eat Papaya?
So it’s great for humans. But what about our dogs? Can dogs eat papaya?
The answer to that is yes, it is great if you feed your dogs papaya!
Papaya is healthy for our dogs thanks to the nutrients that it contains. However, there are of course limitations on how much you should feed them as well as some other things that you must do before feeding them.
Like what was said earlier, papaya is rich in beta-carotene, and therefore, it is also rich in vitamin A. Beta-carotene is a nutrient that can be used as an antioxidant.
Papaya also contains papain, which is a plant-based enzyme that helps break down protein.
However, for your dog to absorb that nutrient, it must be fed raw as cooking the papaya will dissolve the papain because it is heat-sensitive.
It is also rich in vitamin C which helps in improving your dog’s immune system. It also contains vitamin K which helps prevent blood clots. Papaya is also rich in other minerals such as fiber, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
A Few Words of Caution
However, even though it has a lot of good benefits to our dogs, if you do not feed it right, it may cause more harm than good. So before you feed them papaya, make sure to remove the skin and the seeds as it may cause intestinal blockage and it may also be toxic due to pesticides and parasites.
And of course, do not overfeed them as it may cause intestinal issues including loose stools and diarrhea. It is recommended to not give them more than 4 slices a day.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
Check out our other articles on what dogs are safe for dogs and which are not including: Can dogs eat plums?
