Find Out Here Can Dogs Eat Persimmons?
One fruit that is widely consumed in the autumn season is persimmon. While this fruit is loved by humans, is it safe for animals, especially dogs as well?
As a dog fanatic, you probably want your dog to taste the various delicious foods and fruits that we enjoy. However, you should conduct your fair share of research to find out what is safe and pleasant for your dog to consume. Many foods like chocolates are great for humans but can be dangerous for your pets to consume.
In this article, you will find the answer to the question – can dogs eat persimmons, and are they healthy for your pet?
Let’s find out.
What Is Persimmon?
Before we get into the details, let’s explore what a persimmon is. Some people aren’t aware of what persimmons are, so here is a brief description of this delicious autumn fruit. Persimmons are very similar to huge Italian tomatoes. This great fruit has bright orange skin and belongs to the berry family.
Originating in China, persimmon made its way to Japan and then around the world. This fruit was introduced in the US between the years 1870 and 1920. Persimmon trees are grown in numerous countries presently. In the US alone, especially in California, around 18,000 tons of persimmons are grown yearly.
Most people are big fans of the sweet and juicy taste of persimmons. However, its taste is not the only attractive thing. This great fruit is highly nutritious as it contains nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and even Vitamin D. Moreover, it has a lot of other beneficial properties that are discussed below.
Persimmons are an excellent treat for humans as well as animals, including your beloved dog.
Can I Feed My Dog Persimmons?
Persimmons can be a great addition to your dog’s diet. While it is entirely safe for your dog to consume, this doesn’t mean that you give your dog the whole fruit to eat. Persimmon is one of the few fruits that most dogs like to eat. Since a majority of them like the taste, chances are your pet will love it too!
An important thing to remember is that there are certain precautions you should take when feeding your dog this tasty fruit. The first precaution is that you need to feed this fruit to them in moderate amounts.
Any more than a limited amount can cause adverse effects. Another precaution is to remove all the seeds before feeding the fruit to your dog. Lastly, you need to wash and clean the fruit thoroughly before giving it to your dog for consumption.
Besides these precautions, there are many other things you need to know about feeding your dog persimmons.
Watch the video of two dogs eating persimmons.
Is Persimmon Bad for Dogs?
Persimmons aren’t bad for your dogs. They can be perfect for their health when given in healthy amounts. They only time persimmons might be bad for your dog is if it consumes too many of them or eats the pits and seeds.
Generally speaking, eating too many persimmons, or any other fruit for that matter can be detrimental to your dog’s health. Since dogs don’t have the same digestive system as humans, they can only bear to consume a few small servings of all types of fruits.
If you give your dog too many persimmons to eat, it could result in diarrhea or vomiting. Moreover, if you let your pet devour the seeds along with the fruit, it could choke or suffer from an intestinal blockage. All the issues mentioned above aren’t to be taken lightly at any cost. They can cause your dog to suffer from some serious medical problems.
Is Persimmon Toxic to Dogs?
Generally, most human foods aren’t safe for dogs to consume. If given in large quantities, persimmons can be toxic for your dog. However, in moderation, they are not toxic. They contain a ton of amazing health benefits when consumed in moderation.
The persimmon fruits contain high amounts of various nutrients such as vitamin A, lycopene, manganese, folic acid, etc. Since many of these nutrients are antioxidants, they are an incredible addition to your dog’s diet. Moreover, persimmon also contains anti-inflammatory properties, so it is excellent for your dogs as it prevents stiff joints or arthritis.
Can My Dog Eat Persimmon Seeds?
Now that you know the answer to can dogs eat persimmons, let us find out if they can eat the seeds of the fruit.
A known fact is that the persimmon fruit contains a lot of seeds. Generally, a majority of fruits’ seeds can be very toxic and dangerous for dogs to consume. While the good news is that persimmon seeds aren’t poisonous for your beloved pet, they can affect the health of your dog. So, overall you should avoid giving your pet persimmon seeds.
Here are a few dangers that persimmon seeds can pose to your dog’s health:
Persimmon seeds can be a choking hazard for your dog. Persimmons are relatively large fruits, and hence, they contain large seeds. If your dog was to consume an entire persimmon with the seeds, it could choke and naturally, have trouble breathing.
Another major health issue that consuming persimmon seeds can cause is the inflammation of your dog’s intestine. The seeds can end up inflaming your dog’s small intestine, resulting in intestinal blockage.
If your dog ends up eating a whole persimmon along with the seeds while you’re not looking, keep an eye on it for any signs of choking. Moreover, it is also recommended to contact your veterinarian and explain the entire situation.
You can also take your beloved pet to the vet for examination to prevent any further complications from occurring.
What Precautions to Take When Giving Persimmon to Dogs?
While feeding your dog persimmon is completely alright, you should take some precautions. Otherwise, your dog may suffer.
Removing the pits and seeds from the persimmons is important. Seeds can choke your dog. The seeds can also block your dog’s intestines. To get rid of the blockage, your dog might need surgery.
If your dog does consume pits, there are certain warning signs you need to pay attention to, such as vomiting, lethargy, tummy aches, and even loss of appetite.
One of the main concerns revolving around persimmons is that they are natural laxatives. Even though the tasty fruit might not cause any direct harm to your puppy, over-consumption of this fruit can cause your pet to get diarrhea.
Small-sized dogs are recommended to consume only a few tiny bites of persimmons. Moreover, medium to large dogs can have at least one to two servings. However, if you notice that your dog is getting diarrhea, stop feeding the fruit to your pet altogether and find healthier substitutes and alternatives.
What are the Health Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Persimmons?
Loaded with some incredible nutrients, persimmon can make for a healthy treat for your dog. There’s no harm in giving moderate amounts of this fruit during to your dog during the fall months.
Here are some nutrients that this fruit contains and its benefits:
Persimmons are low-fat fruits, but they tend to be high in calories. A dog weighing 30 pounds requires at least 800 calories a day. A calorie deficit can make your dog feel lethargic and keep him from participating in any physical activities.
Feeding your dog persimmons can give it some much-needed energy boost. This fruit is a good way to fulfill the daily calorie needs of your pet.
Persimmon is very rich in fiber. It can be a good addition to your dog’s diet if you want to increase its fiber intake. Moreover, if your beloved pet is obese, some additional fiber could help your dog lose weight.
Furthermore, if your dog is suffering from diabetes, the fiber in a persimmon could make your dog feel fuller and help in curbing its cravings. Lastly, fiber can help speed up the bowel movement of your dog and help it get rid of constipation.
Amongst other amazing benefits and properties, persimmon is also anti-cancerous. Since many dogs tend to suffer from cancer, a great way to keep this disease at bay is by feeding your dog persimmon during the fall season.
The persimmon fruit is loaded with a variety of antioxidant compounds. It helps prevent cell damage and counteract oxidative stress, reducing the chances of various diseases.
Moreover, the consumption of antioxidant foods is vital for your dog’s health. It helps reduce the number of free radicals that can make your dog sick and ensures your dog’s well being.
Vitamin C is an incredible antioxidant that can do wonders for your little best friend. Persimmon fruit contains just the appropriate amount of Vitamin C. This nutrient gets rid of all harmful radicals from your dog’s system and keeps your dog healthy and fit. Moreover, it protects your dog from catching diseases like kennel cough.
A persimmon is loaded with Vitamin A. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that provides a bunch of incredible benefits. Vitamin A helps in proper fetal growth, acts as an immune system booster, and also allows healthy growth. Vitamin A is a great nutrient to improve the eyesight of your pet. For instance, it can help keep your dog from developing night vision blindness.
Persimmon fruit contains obscene amounts of Vitamin B, which can do wonders for your dog’s health. Vitamin B helps convert carbohydrates into energy, which is one of its greatest benefits. Moreover, it helps in the formation of red blood cells and encourages protein synthesis.
Vitamin D, commonly known as the ‘sunshine vitamin,’ is found in the persimmon fruit in hefty amounts. Humans, dogs, and all other living organisms require Vitamin D to function efficiently. Your dog requires vitamin D for the healthy development of its bones and muscles.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in the persimmon fruit in substantial amounts. This vitamin creates and maintains healthy cells and promises an efficient metabolism.
A persimmon fruit also contains trace amounts of Vitamin K. This is important for your dog as it can help in enhancing its ‘wound-healing’ process.
Apart from the nutrients, as mentioned earlier, the persimmon fruit also contains many other nutrients that can benefit your dog in numerous ways.
Here are a few additional nutrients that persimmons contain:
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Copper
- Phosphorous
- Lycopene
- Lutein
- Zeaxanthin
- Beta-carotene
- Folic acid and many others
Considering all the amazing nutrients and properties that a persimmon has, it is safe to say that it is a rather healthy and beneficial fruit. When given to your dog in moderate amounts and in a specific way, the persimmon fruit can be pretty advantageous for your dog’s health.
Watch the video on health benefits of persimmons.
What Quantity of Persimmon That Is Safe for Your Dog?
So far, we’ve answered the question, “can dogs eat persimmon, and are they healthy for your pet?” and have come to the conclusion that this fruit is only good for your dog if it is given in moderation.
Remember always to consider the persimmon fruit as a treat. This means you should only feed it to your pet in small quantities. A few pieces of this fruit without seeds are good enough for your puppy.
Small dog breeds like the Maltese are recommended to consume only half a persimmon. Moreover, large dog breeds like the Pitbull are allowed to consume at least a piece or two of the juicy fruit. Fruits and treats like persimmons should make up only 10% of your furry friend’s diet.
How to Feed Your Dog Persimmons?
The first step is to carefully wash the persimmon fruits to remove all the dirt and chemicals. Moreover, regardless of the size of your dog, it is recommended to cut the fruit in small pieces. This helps prevent choking. Furthermore, you need to get rid of the pits and seeds. Make sure you dispose of them in a place where your dog can’t gain access to it.
When to Stop Feeding Your Dog Persimmons?
There is a limit to how much fruit your dog can have. Here are a few symptoms that indicate that you should stop feeding your dog persimmons and take it to the vet.
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
These symptoms usually occur when your pet has consumed too much of the persimmon fruit or has eaten the seeds along with it.
Final Thoughts on Giving Persimmon to Dogs
Dogs aren’t huge fans of fruits. They should not be given any fruits, including persimmons, regularly. This is mainly because fruits contain obscenely high amounts of fructose, which isn’t very good for dogs. So, fruits should be seen as secondary treats for your dog. You can give your dog fruits after meat and other proteins.
Moreover, introducing new foods like persimmons in your dog’s diet can cause problems like stomachaches. So you need to be very careful when you are introducing new foods. Always research the fruit in advance and give small quantities in the beginning.
Owning a dog isn’t an easy task. To make sure your furry pet remains in top-notch condition, you need to give it considerable attention. While fresh fruits are a great way of providing your canine with some additional nutrients, there are some precautions you must take at all times.
The question, “can dogs eat persimmons, and are they healthy for your dog?” has a simple answer – yes, your dog can eat the fruit. However, you need to consider feeding this fruit to your pooch in limited quantities.
Before giving your dog any fruit, consider the dog’s size. Even if you are tempted to give your furry friend some more persimmons, please don’t. Doing so can cause specific health problems, such as diarrhea.
If you want to give your dog a treat, resort to some other sources, for instance, dog treats. Moreover, make sure to remove the pits and seeds and wash the fruit properly before giving it to your pooch. This will prevent inflammation of the intestine and choking.
All in all, persimmon isn’t toxic or harmful for your canine friend. However, it can be dangerous if certain things aren’t taken into account.
