This Antioxidant and Enzyme Rich Fruit Can Help Keep Your Dog Healthy, Learn How To Add Papaya To Your Dog's Diet

★  3.5 min read

In this article:

1. History of Papaya
2. Health Benefits of Papaya for your Dog
3. Selecting and Use
4. How to Prepare Papaya
5. How to Add Fresh Papaya to Your Dog's Diet
6. Recommended Serving Size
   

1.0 History of Papaya

The papaya tree is a tropical plant that is native to Central America. The early Portuguese and Spanish imperialists are responsible for the introduction of the papaya tree to other subtropical locations such as Africa, India and the Philippines. Papaya trees have also been introduced to the warmer parts of North America such as Florida and Hawaii, and countries such as Mexico and Puerto Rico. The papaya is the fruit of the tree.  

 

 2.0 Health Benefits of Papaya for Your Dog

 

Natural enzymes in papaya provide a range of health-supporting activities.

2.1 Anti-inflammatory

Papaya contains papain and chymopapain – two unique protein-digesting enzymes  that help to reduce:

1. Inflammation
2. Improve healing from burns

The high levels of vitamin C, E, beta-carotene and lycopene in papaya also act to reduce inflammation. 

 

Papaya's anti-inflammatory qualities are helpful in treating inflammatory conditions such as:

1. Asthma
2. Cancer
3. Osteoarthritis
4. Rheumatoid arthritis 

 

2.2 Anti-fungal

1. Papaya is a natural treatment for ringworm.

 

2.3 Antioxidants
 

Papaya is a rich source of antioxidants including:

1. B vitamins.
2. Carotene.
3. Beta carotene is used by the body to make Vitamin A. Vitamin A is required to support healthy bones, cells and skin
4. Flavonoids, including lycopene.

Lycopene helps reduce the risk of:

1. Cancer
2. Heart disease
3. Macular degeneration
4. Folate
5. Vitamin A, C and E
6. Vitamin C enables the body’s production of collagen – an essential for the health of bones, gums, muscles and teeth
7. Yellow fleshed papaya contains no lycopene
8. Red-fleshed Papaya contains a high level of lycopene

Learn more about the health benefits of lycopene

• Go to this article this article.

Minerals essential for blood pressure health

1. Magnesium
2. Potassium

 

2.4 Cancer Prevention Aid
 

Colon Cancer Prevention

Papaya helps provide protection against colon cancer. The fiber in papaya helps bind and remove cancer-causing toxins in the colon, thus protecting healthy colon cells from damage

 

The high levels of Vitamin C, E and beta-carotene in papaya also help to protect against colon cancer.

Prostate Cancer Prevention
 

Adding papaya and green tea (decaffeinated green tea) to your dog's daily diet, help  decrease the risk of prostate cancer.

 

2.5 Cardiovascular Health
Papaya promotes the health of the cardiovascular system. The carotenoids in papaya help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol and helps protect your dog from:

1. Cholesterol issues.
2. Diabetic heart disease.
3. Supports cardiovascular health by enabling a healthy heart beat.

2.6 Intestinal Wormer
 

Papaya is a natural wormer. Papaya helps to irritate and destroy worms in the gastrointestinal tract..

 
Learn more about natural wormers:

• Go to this article.

 

2.7 Digestive health
 

Papaya contains papain, a natural digestive enzyme.
 

Papain:

1. Aids digestion of proteins.
2. Helps alleviate allergy symptoms.
3. Helps treat ligament injury and trauma.
4.  Papaya is an excellent source of fibre.

 

2.8 Eye Health
 

The high levels of vitamin A, C and E and carotenoids found in Papaya help to prevent against:

1. Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), and;
2. Neovascular ARMD (associated with complete vision loss);

Learn more about natural support for eye health:

1. Go to this article.

2.9 Immune System Health
 

Papaya is a good source of vitamin A and C. Vitamin A and C are immune system supporting and can help in the fight against:

1. Doggie Colds
2. Kennel cough (bordetella / canine influenza).

2.10 Muscle Health

1. The antioxidants and minerals in papaya support healthy muscle development and maintenance.

 

3.0 How to Select Papaya

  

Red-fleshed Papaya offers more health promoting properties than the yellow-fleshed papaya

Look for Papaya that's lightly soft to the touch. 

 

Hard (unripe) papaya is lower in antioxidant value.

Leave the papaya out at room temperature until it starts to soften. Once ripe store in the refrigerator and within a few days of ripening prepare as per below.

4.0 How To Prepare Papaya

1. Remove the skin of the papaya.
2. Remove the seeds, discard the seeds. Do not give the seeds to your dog.
   
3. Finely chop, mince or puree the papaya.
4. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze the papaya. 

5.0 How to Add Papaya to Your Dog's Diet

1. Serve papaya with your dog's meal. 
2. Make a smoothie recipe with papaya for your dog:
   
• Smoothie recipes with papaya in this article. 
3. Serve papaya as a treat in-between meals.

6.0 Recommend Serving Size

Small dogs 

1 tsp to 2 tbs

 

Medium dogs 

2 tbs to 1/4 cup

 

Large dogs 

1/4 tbs to 1/2 cup  

 

Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat

 

For information about my holistic diet, nutrition, wellness services visit my:

Holistic wellness services page.

 

Maintain good health | Address acute and chronic health issues | Pre and post surgery support and recovery

 

My holistic wellness services are available worldwide via video consultation.

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To set-up your holistic wellness consultation get in-touch via email:

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Holistic Behavioral Services For Your Dog

 

For information about my holistic behavioral services visit my:

Holistic behavioral services page.
 

For dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds

 

My holistic behavioral services are available locally in-person and worldwide via video session.
 

🌎  USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE

 

📱 FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp

 

To set-up your holistic behavioral session get in-touch via email:

Contact me.

 

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✓ None.
✓ I don't sell food or supplements.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.

Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld