I love fresh guavas as they are packed with nutrients and can have a varied texture from chewy to crunchy and mushy. So, I have a lot of them in my home, especially when they are in season. My little dog Pomp gets curious every time I eat red guavas. Once, I saw him sniffing at a small piece of red guava that had fallen off the plate. Finally, he took the piece in his mouth and finished it. The next day, he took an attempt at full guava. Luckily, I saw just in time and took the fruit away from him.
Can Dogs Eat Guava?
Yes, dogs can safely eat guava. It is not toxic to dogs. However, you should feed only a small portion of the fruit, one or two bites, two to three times a week. Guava is a nutrient-rich fruit and your dog may benefit from it. However, it can be given only as an occasional treat. A dog’s digestive system does not break down the nutrients as efficiently as humans do.
While feeding guava to your dog, you should take care not to feed him the rind and the seeds. Both can create digestive issues. Fruit seeds are known to contain cyanide while some dogs can be allergic to guava. Feeding him a small portion and keeping a watch on how his body reacts to the fruit is the best way to go.
Health benefits of guava for dogs
Guava is a delicious fruit packed with vital nutrients including vitamins and minerals. Feeding a small portion of this fruit occasionally will help your pet.
Among the vitamins, Guava is rich in vitamins A, C, K, E, and B vitamins. It contains many important minerals including iron, calcium, zinc, copper, magnesium, and manganese. All these vitamins and minerals can keep your dog’s immune system strong and help him remain agile.
Guava has high amounts of fibers that aid the digestive process.
Why guava can be bad for dogs?
Guava can be bad for dogs because it contains high amounts of sugar, which can cause obesity. Moreover, if your dog ends up eating the rind and the seeds of the fruit, it may have digestive problems. Some dogs can be allergic to guava and can develop irritation and itching in their paws and other parts of the body.
How to feed guava to dogs?
You should feed one to two bites of guava to your dog, not more than 3 times a week. You should feed the pulp with only ripe guava. Before feeding, wash the fruit, remove the skin and the seeds, and cut the fruit in bite sizes. Hand-feed one or two pieces at a time, and enjoy the rest of the fruit yourself.
What fruits can you give to your dog instead of guava?
There are some fruits that dogs can eat without worry. These fruits include strawberries, blueberries, apples, bananas, and cantaloupes. You can feed these fruits to your dog.
Are dogs allergic to guava?
Some dogs may develop an allergic reaction to guava. Usually, the allergy will show up in the form of itching and hives. Indigestion, swelling in the face, and infections in the paws and ears are some of the common symptoms of guava allergies in dogs. If you see these symptoms, contact your vet immediately.
Conclusion
Guava is one of those fruits that can be fed to dogs without much thinking. That said, you should avoid feeding them the rind and the seeds of the fruit, which can cause gastrointestinal problems. You should feed only 1 or 2 bites of guava 2 to 3 times a week.
