There are hardly any people who don’t like Guavas. And when we eat Guavas, we often think of feeding Them to our furry friends. Before answering, if you are curious about feeding your dog new human foods, always remember that some foods are toxic, some human foods are totally safe, and some foods may harm individual dogs. Can Dogs Eat Guava? Is Guava Safe For Dogs? The answer is “YES.” Guavas are safe for dogs to eat without any problems. However, the following is a detailed elaboration. Let’s dive deep.
Guavas provide essential vitamins and nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Potassium, and dietary fiber. Your furry friends will benefit from these, including their immune and digestive systems and vision. For that reason, I always feed my Long Haired Chihuahua Guavas, as they are more prone to health issues. Guavas help a lot to strengthen his immune system.
Benefits of Vitamin A: Vision, Bone Growth, Reproduction.
Benefits of Vitamin C: Tissue Growth.
2. Low in Calories
Guavas are low in calories as compared to other fruits. So, it makes Guava a healthy option for dogs who have calorie restrictions and excessive weight.
An Experience: If you know about Shiloh Shepherds, you may know about their high exercise requirements. When I fail to fulfill that requirement, I always try to feed him low-calorie foods like Guava. It helps me a lot to maintain the overall well-being of my furry friend.
3. Hydration
Guava is also a good source of water. Therefore, it helps your furry friend remain hydrated and reduces the chance of dehydration and urinary tract problems. Also, in hot weather or after long-term exercise or playing activities, treating Guava will be a great way to keep your dog hydrated.
Personally, I feed all my furry friends Guavas, Watermelons and fruits like this to make sure they remain hydrated. You can consider Guavas, if your dog is energetic like Golden Mountain Doodles, who requires ample of exercises.
4. Skin and Coat Health
Guavas contain Vitamin C, which helps dogs to have healthy skin and shiny coats. That’s the main reason for me to feed Guavas; who doesn’t want their fur to look awesome?
You may know Chihuahuas require approximately two years for a full-grown coat. After that, you have to care for their coat, especially when any dogs shed. For coat care, I recommend feeding Guavas, It’s an awesome fruit.
Potential Health Risks of Feeding Guava
While Guavas offer some great health benefits, there can be some potential health risks if owners feed too much Guava to their dogs. Let’s explore
1. Allergic Reactions
Like Humans, dogs can also be exposed to allergies after eating specific foods, including foods like Guava.
Symptoms: Itching, Redness, Swelling, Hives, Digestive upset (such as vomiting or diarrhea), or Difficulty breathing.
If these allergic reaction symptoms, if any, appear in your dog after feeding Guava, you should avoid Guava and seek help from a veterinarian.
2. Gastrointestinal Upset
If your dog consumes large quantities of Guava or has a sensitive stomach, then gastrointestinal upset can occur because Guava contains sugar and fiber. It’s true for every food, you shouldn’t feed too much. I give in moderate portions but always add variety to make them relaxed and ensure enjoyment during feeding.
Symptoms: Diarrhea, Vomiting, Abdominal discomfort, or Changes in bowel movements.
Tips for Owners: Introduce new fruits like Guava slowly and in very small portions to avoid any digestive issues.
3. Choking Hazard
Guavas are extremely vulnerable for their dense seeds. The seeds are very tiny and hard to remove. If your dog swallows large amounts of seeds, the tiny seeds of guava can cause Choking hazards. Therefore, permanently remove the seeds before feeding your dog guava to avoid any potential choking hazard problem.
4. Dental Problems
Eating guava slices can cause dental problems by reducing plaque and tartar buildup. Guavas are excessively sugary fruits, and eating them can also cause dental problems such as tooth decay or gum disease.
Don’t feed too many Guavas at a time, and ensure regular dental care, such as brushing or providing dental chew toys.
How to safely feed Guava to dogs
1. Choose Ripe Guavas
I always choose ripe guavas because they are easy for dogs to digest and are sweeter than unripe guavas.
Choose ripe guavas that are free from mold, bruises or signs of spoilage.
2. Remove Seeds and Wash
Before feeding guavas to your dog, remove every seed to prevent choking hazards. Also, wash the Guava in running water to remove any dirt or pesticides that may be present on the skin.
3. Cut into Bite-sized Pieces
I always cut the guava into small or bite-sized pieces. Large pieces sometimes cause problems such as Gastrointestinal Upset and Choking Hazards. For that reason, my dogs never experience any issues after eating Guavas.
Also, small or bite-sized guavas are easy for dogs to chew and swallow.
4. Slowly Introduce
If your dog has never eaten Guava before, sudden large portions can cause digestive issues or allergic reactions. You should slowly introduce Guava to your dog. Giving a small portion at first, observing your dog, and slowly increasing the amount is a healthy practice.
5. Consult Your Veterinarian
Consulting your veterinarian is the best option before feeding your dog any new fruits or foods. Your vet can give you more personalized advice based on your dog’s current health issues.
More Dog-Friendly Fruits
If you are looking forward to treating your dog with more fruits, then you should consider the following fruits.
Summary
Guava is safe for dogs and has some benefits, such as being Rich in Vitamins and Nutrients, low in calories, hydration, and having a shiny coat. However, only small portions are used to avoid any potential health risks such as allergies, choking hazards, and dental problems. Be safe and be healthy. Pads Of Paw team wishes you all the best and happy parenting.
