The guava is a tropical fruit known for its incredible nutritional value, which explains why it’s a favorite among health nuts and weight watchers.
If guavas are so good for humans, will they benefit dogs, too?
The short answer is yes, dogs can eat guavas and enjoy its nutritional benefits. However, it’s important to practice moderation when feeding dogs guavas, as too much of this fruit can cause your pooch problems.
Read on as we discuss guavas for dogs!
Dogs and vitamin C
Guavas are rich in vitamin C, so they’re definitely good for dogs, right?
Here’s the thing: dogs produce their own vitamin C in their liver. This means they rarely need additional vitamin C in their food.
Too much vitamin C can cause problems
Every day, the average canine produces around 18 milligrams of vitamin C for every pound of their body weight. If you give your pooch vitamin C supplements, they therefore absorb an excess of this nutrient, which can cause diarrhea. Dogs that are less tolerant of food rich in vitamin C are more likely to experience digestive problems after eating guavas.
The frequent consumption of food high in vitamin C can even result in the formation of calcium oxalate bladder stones. If these stones aren’t removed, they can obstruct the urethra to make urination impossible. Urine then accumulates in the bladder, causing it to expand until it ruptures, which can kill a dog.
These issues are why dogs should eat guavas in moderation only.
When dogs can benefit from vitamin C supplementation
While excess vitamin C can harm a dog, it doesn’t mean your pet should never have food containing vitamin C.
A dog experiencing or recovering from an illness can benefit from vitamin C supplementation. Some dogs may also need additional vitamin C to help them deal with the various challenges (e.g. pesticides, chemicals, toxins, pollution, etc.) the modern world hurls at them daily.
Seek veterinary advice
Make sure to consult a veterinarian before giving your dog vitamin C supplementation. A vet can determine whether eating guavas will do your pet good or harm. They can also tell you how much of the fruit your dog can safely eat per week.
In short…
A happy, healthy dog enjoying a nutritious, well-balanced diet likely won’t need vitamin C supplements. But if your dog is ill or stressed, food rich in vitamin C can do them a lot of good. Just ensure you get a vet’s approval before feeding dogs guavas!
Guavas: the nutritional benefits
Now that we’ve talked about vitamin C, let’s discuss the other nutrients found in guavas that can enhance your dog’s health.
Minerals
Guavas are loaded with iron, calcium, and potassium – nutrients your dog needs to enjoy good health.
Iron plays a crucial role in the creation of hemoglobin, a protein that red blood cells use to transport oxygen from the lungs to every other part of the body. Oxygen is involved in many important tasks, including the conversion of food into the energy a dog needs to move around, stay healthy, and survive. A lack of iron can result in anemia, lethargy, and a rough coat.
Calcium keeps a dog’s bones and teeth healthy, helps the muscles function properly, and aids in the blood clotting process. Calcium deficiency can increase the risk of bone fracture, anorexia, convulsions, lameness, and other problems.
Potassium is involved in many biological functions, such as the contraction of muscles and the transmission of nerve impulses. Walking difficulties, lethargy, and anorexia are associated with potassium deficiencies.
Vitamins
If your dog eats guavas, they absorb a good amount of vitamin A, which is important for the immune system, healthy skin, vision, and reproduction. Not enough vitamin A in your dog’s diet can cause skin problems, difficulties seeing at night, weakness, a dull coat, anorexia, and decreased eating.
Guavas also contain vitamin K, which assists in bone development and blood clotting. A diet lacking in vitamin K can cause hemorrhage and extended clotting periods.
Carbohydrates, sugar, and fiber
Guavas are rich in carbohydrates and healthy natural sugar, both of which provide your dog with the energy they need to stay mobile and in good health. A lack of these energy-producing nutrients can cause weakness, fatigue, and a host of other issues.
Carbohydrates are also an excellent source of dietary fiber, which boosts the health of your dog’s gut to prevent digestive concerns such as constipation and diarrhea.
Protein
Protein supplies your dog with the amino acids required to build and maintain skin, hair, nails, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. This nutrient even plays a key role in hormone production, making many biological processes possible.
Protein deficiency can cause anemia and weight loss; worsen the condition of the skin and coat; and negatively impact the cells, organs, and immune system. It can even lead to depression, liver diseases, and neurological problems.
Antioxidants
Vitamin A, C, and K’s antioxidant properties protect your dog’s cells from the damage free radicals cause. This reduces the risk of chronic diseases and illnesses, including several cancers and diabetes.
Low fat, low calories
Guavas are low in fat and calories, making them essential to weight management and weight loss.
Feeding your dog guavas
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind if you’ve decided to give your dog guavas.
Serving size and frequency
It’s best to consult a vet to determine how much guava your dog can eat.
In general, however, around two slices of guava per week should do for the average-sized dog. Give fewer, smaller slices to a tiny dog. A huge dog may be able to eat an entire fruit’s worth of slices.
Guavas shouldn’t be a regular component of your dog’s diet. They should, instead, be part of the 10% consisting of doggy treats best eaten in moderation.
Introducing dogs to guavas
The doggy digestive system is extremely sensitive, which explains why eating great quantities of food they’ve never had before can result in digestive problems. Some dogs are also allergic to fruits such as guavas.
Therefore, when giving your dog their first guava, feed them a portion much smaller than the recommended amount, then monitor them for issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, and allergic reactions. If the fruit agrees with your dog, wait a couple of days before giving them a slightly larger portion of guava. Keep doing this for a couple of days to get your dog’s stomach used to the new food. Once it’s clear your dog can eat guava safely, give them the amount recommended by their vet.
Contact a vet if your dog experiences problems after ingesting guavas.
Other considerations…
Here are other considerations to make before feeding dogs guavas:
Should dogs eat organic or non-organic guavas?
Organic guavas are grown naturally. They’re ideal for consumption as they don’t contain any potentially harmful chemicals.
Non-organic guavas are grown using herbicides, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and other substances that can be unhealthy for a dog. Wash such fruits thoroughly before giving them to your pet.
Can dogs eat guava skin?
Some dogs are sensitive to excess fiber. To avoid digestive problems, peel the fibrous guava skin and give your pet the guava flesh, only.
Can dogs eat guava seeds?
Avoid giving guava seeds to your dog. They may cause digestive problems, choking, or potentially lethal bowel obstruction. Some seeds even contain trace amounts of a substance that can turn into cyanide during digestion, which can poison poor doggo.
Can dogs eat guava leaves and buds?
Opinions vary regarding the safety of guava leaves and buds. Some say they wreak havoc on the canine digestive system. Others claim they prevent diarrhea. As it’s better to err on the side of caution, don’t give your dog guava leaves or buds.
Can dogs have guava juice?
Yes, as long as the juice contains no sugar or artificial sweeteners. The former can lead to weight gain. The latter can kill your dog.
Can dogs have cooked guava?
Yes, as long as the cooked guava is plain, unseasoned, and unflavored. Any guava recipe that contains salt, sugar, spices, herbs, fat, or oil can make your dog ill.
Can dogs eat guava paste?
Guava paste is high in sugar, which can cause digestive problems, tooth decay, weight gain, and pancreatitis in dogs. Say no to guava paste!
Can dogs eat dried guavas?
Dried guavas aren’t toxic to dogs. Because they’re high in sugar, however, they’re not healthy for dogs.
Can dogs eat different guava types?
Guavas come in many varieties, including apple guava, pineapple guava, red guava, white guava, and more. All the details discussed in this article apply to all guava types, so yes, dogs can eat them in moderation.
Closing thoughts
Guavas are nutrient-dense fruits that can benefit a dog that’s ill or stressed. However, they can make a dog ill if they’re allergic to these fruits or don’t need all that extra vitamin C. For these reasons, consult a vet before feeding your dog guavas.