Fresh Papaya for Dogs and Cats – Healthful Dietary Supplement, Nutraceutical

 

 

In this article:

1. History of Papaya
2. Health Uses, Benefits of Papaya for your Dog and Cat
3. Selecting and Use
4. Preparing the Papaya
5. How to Add Fresh Papaya to Your Dog’s, Cat’s Daily Diet
6. Daily Dosage

1.0 History of Papaya

The papaya tree is a tropical plant that is native to Central America. The early Portuguese and Spanish explorers 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 Uses, Benefits of Papaya for your Dog and Cat

The enzymes in papaya contain properties that are very beneficial.

• Anti-inflammatory
• Papaya contains papain and chymopapain – two unique protein-digesting enzymes  that help to reduce:
• Inflammation
• Improve healing from burns
• The high levels of vitamin C, E and beta-caratene also help to reduce inflammation;
• These anti-inflammatory qualities are helpful in treating inflammatory conditions such as:
• Asthma
• Cancer
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Anti-fungal
• Natural treatment for ringworm

• Antioxidents
• Papaya is a rich source of antioxidants including:
• B vitamins;
• Carotene
• Beta carotene is used by the body to make Vitamin A
• Vitamin A is required to support healthy bones, cells and skin
• Flavonoids; 
• Such as Lycopene
• Lycopene is thought to reduce the risk of:
• Cancer;
• Heart disease
• Macular degeneration
• Yellow fleshed papaya contains no lycopene
• Red-fleshed Papaya contains a high level of lycopene
• Folate
• Vitamin A, C and E
• Papaya has one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C found in fruits
• Vitamin C enables the body’s production of collagen – an essential for the health of bones, gums, muscles and teeth

• Minerals: 
• Magnesium
• Potassium;
• Essential to keeping blood pressure at a normal level

• Cancer protection
• Colon Cancer:
• Papaya helps provide protection against colon cancer
• The fiber in papaya helps to bind to cancer-causing toxins in the colon, thus protecting healthy colon cells from damage
• The high levels of Vitamin C, E and beta-carotene also help to protect against colon cancer
• Prostate Cancer:
• Adding papaya and green tea (use decaffeinated green tea only for dogs and cats) to the daily diet can significantly decreases the risk of prostate cancer

• Cardiovascular Health
• Papaya promotes the health of the cardiovascular system
• The carotenoids help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol
• Aids in the protection of
• Atherosclerosis
• Diabetic heart disease
• Supports cardiovascular health by enabling a healthy heart beat

• Wormer
• Parasite remedy, natural wormer
• Papaya helps to irritate and destroy worms in the Gastrointestinal Tract (GI Tract);
• Read more about natural wormers here

• Digestive health
• Papaya contains the digestive enzyme papain, a digestive enzyme.
• Papain aids in the digestion of proteins and also helps alleviate allergies
• Papain is similar to Bromelain – a digestive enzyme derived from pineapples which is also to aid digestion, treat allergies, muscle, tendon, ligament injuries and trauma
• Papaya is an excellent source of fiber

• Eye Health
• The high levels of vitamin A, C and E and carotenoids found in Papaya help to prevent against:
• Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), and;
• Neovascular ARMD (associated with complete vision loss);
• For more on natural support for eye health you can read here

• Immune System Health
• The high level of vitamin A and C are immune system supporting and can help in the fight against:
• Colds
• Flu – canine influenza

• Muscle Health
• Supports healthy muscle development and maintenance

3.0 Selecting and Use

• Red-fleshed Papaya offers more health promoting properties than the yellow-fleshed papaya
• Look for Papaya that's lightly soft to the touch
• Hard papaya is lower in antioxidant content
• 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 To Prepare the Papaya

• Remove the skin of the papaya
• Remove the seeds
• Finely chop or mince by hand or using a food processor or blender

5.0 How to Add Fresh Papaya to Your Dog’s or Cat’s
      Daily Diet

• Mix the papaya in with your companion animal’s regular food at meal time
• Make a *yogurt or kefir, papaya and raw unpasteurized honey smoothie as a healthy treat for your dog or cat - simply add as a topper to his//her food or serve as a separate treat
• Yes the ASPCA lists dairy as bad for your dog and cat
• The ASPCA’s condemnation of dairy is inaccurate and incorrect
• Certain types of dairy products such as cheese, kefir and yogurt are very good for most dogs and cats
• You can read about the many health benefits and how to choose a good dairy product for your dog or cat here

6.0 Daily Serving

• Small Size Dogs and Cats
• ½  tsp to 1/8 cup
• Medium Size dogs;
•  1 tbs to ¼ cup
• Large Size Dogs;
• 2 tbs to ½ cup

Holistic Support

Holistic Wellness and Behaviorist Services

Do you need holistic advice to support your companion animal's health and well being? Become a client. Book your consultation. My professional holistic nutrition, wellness and behavioral services are available to you:

🌿 Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats 🐕 🐈

🌿 Holistic Behaviorist Services for Dogs 🐕

My Holistic Client Services are Available Worldwide:

🇺🇸 USA

🇨🇦 Canada

🇬🇧 UK and other European countries

🇦🇺 Australia and other Oceania countries

🇭🇰 Hong Kong and other Asian countries

🇨🇷 Costa Rica and other Central American countries 

🇪🇺 European countries

🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago and other South America countries

🇿🇦 South Africa and other African countries

🇸🇪 Sweden and other Nordic countries

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

Available Holistic Consultations and Sessions:

📱 FaceTime

📱 Facebook video or voice calling

💻 Skype

📱 WhatsApp

📞 Phone

📧 Email 

🚶🏻‍♀️ In-Person

Menu of Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats 🐕🐈

For more information go here. 

✅  Maintain Health, and;

✅  Address Health Issues and Conditions:

✓ Treatment and Remedy 

✓ Pre-Surgery holistic support protocols

✓ Post-Surgery holistic healing protocols

✓ Pre-Vaccine holistic support protocols 

✓ Post-Vaccine holistic support protocols

✓ Natural Insect and Parasite Prevention

✓ Natural Treatment for Insect, Parasite Infestation, Co-Infection, Disease

✅  Custom Designed Whole Food Diets - raw or gently cooked, and;

✅  Advice and Recommendation: 

✓ Premade Diets - raw, dehydrated, freeze dried 

✓ Supplemental Fresh Foods - raw, gently cooked

✓ Super foods

✓ Treats - raw, dehydrated, freeze dried, gently cooked

✓ Herbs 

✓ Alternative Medicines

Menu of Holistic Behaviorist Services for Dogs 🐕

For more information go here. 

In-person Sessions - available locally

Voice and Video Sessions - available worldwide 

✓   Obedience Training

✓   Behavior Modification

✓   Psychological Rehabilitation

Affiliations to Companies

✓ None.

✓ I don't sell food or supplements.

✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.

✓ I choose to maintain my objectivity in selecting best-solutions for my individual client's needs.

Contact me

karen@ottawavalleydogwhisperer.ca

Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld