Yes, it is safe for dogs to eat persimmons. Persimmons are a widely grown fruit in cool temperate zones. It’s a delicious and nutritious fruit to be shared with your dog as an occasional treat!
How Many Persimmons Can a Dog Eat?
Too much of something is poisonous. Feeding persimmons to dogs is okay in moderation. Feeding one or two persimmons is not harmful.
Why Does My Dog Eat Persimmons?
Dogs can smell persimmons from far away because the fruit emits a strong odor. The dog will eat the persimmon because it smells tasty!
Your Dog Eats Persimmons Because Of These 5 Reasons
1. The Smell
Dogs are commonly known to be able to smell better than humans, so they would naturally be interested in the fruit’s unique odor. It is not unusual for a dog to find it irresistible when he or she smells something tasty nearby.
2. Hunger
It may seem illogical because there is plenty of food around them, but your dog might eat persimmons because he is hungry. It does not necessarily mean that the owner doesn’t feed him or her enough food. Persimmons are sometimes considered as treats and they might be easier to chew than regular dog food.
3. Attention
Paying attention is important for dogs just like humans! If they are excited when their owner is eating persimmons, they might try to copy them and it’s easy for dogs to do that. You can even play with your dog using the fruit if he or she shows interest in it.
4. They Are Tasty
Dogs like food that taste good, especially those with sweet flavor like persimmons.
5. Curiosity
Your dog might be interested in seeing what persimmons look like and they are easy to eat, so it’s understandable if your dog is curious about them.
Here Are the 10 Benefits Of Eating Persimmons For Dogs:
1. Treats Dog Heart Problems
Persimmon and its compounds have been investigated for their medicinal benefits in cardiovascular diseases. They can help reduce blood pressure and pulse rate, good for heart health. Feeding one or two persimmons to your dog periodically can help improve heart function.
2. Treats Dog Anxiety and Depression
Depression and anxiety are common mental health problems in dogs. Persimmon extract contains serotonin that can help relieve stress, mild depression, and anxiety. The fruit also contains a compound called “N”-6-F-glucosyl arginine, which can improve glucose uptake into cells. This may help reduce anxiety and improve mental alertness.
3. Treats Dog Kidney Problems
Persimmon leaf extract is used to treat kidney problems in traditional medicine. A compound found in persimmon leaves called “N”-benzoyl-L-arginine can help reduce the risk of kidney failure.
4. Treats Dog Liver Problems
Persimmon fruit is abundant in pectin, a soluble fiber that can lower blood cholesterol and fat levels. In addition, persimmons have antioxidant properties that may protect the liver from damage due to toxins or chemicals. Feeding your dog one or two persimmons can help improve liver function.
5. Natural Diuretic and Laxative
Persimmon is a natural diuretic that is safe for dogs to eat. It also acts as a laxative for pets who suffer from constipation, bloating, and stomach pain due to gas and indigestion.
6. Helps Treat Dog Diarrhea
If your dog has diarrhea, you can give him persimmon fruit. The high fiber content in persimmons helps firm stools and relieves constipation or diarrhea.
7. Helps Treat Dog Gallstones
Persimmons contain the anti-inflammatory compound “N”-lignocaine that can help treat liver problems in your pet.
8. Helps Treat Dog Wound Healing
Persimmon leaf extract has antioxidant properties that protect the body against free radicals and toxins. It also contains vitamin K, which is important in blood clotting to prevent excessive bleeding. These properties make it beneficial for wound healing; you can apply persimmon leaf extract to your dog’s minor cuts, wounds, bruises or sores.
9. Helps Treat Dog Coughs
Persimmon leaf extract is traditionally used to treat various respiratory diseases like cough and bronchitis in traditional medicine. It can help ease difficult breathing by breaking up mucus in the lungs. Regular intake can help improve respiratory function.
10. Helps Treat Dog Diaper Rash
If your dog has sensitive skin, you can apply persimmon extract to his anal region to treat diaper rash. The anti-inflammatory properties of persimmons reduce swelling and provide quick relief from pain or itchiness in the affected area.
Are Persimmons Poisonous To Dogs?
No, persimmons are safe to eat by dogs. However, you should keep in mind that fruits contain sugar and sugar can cause stomach problems for your pets. So overfeeding or feeding them too many persimmons at once may lead to stomach upset, diarrhea, gas, and other digestive problems.
What Fruit Is Bad For Dogs?
Some fruit may not be safe to feed your dog. Here 5 fruits that dogs should not eat:
1. Grapes
Grapes can cause severe health problems in dogs like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Grapes contain toxic substances that can damage the kidneys and cause kidney failure.
2. Raisins
Raisins are often used as dog treats, but they contain high amounts of vitamin A. Too much vitamin A can be poisonous for dogs and lead to elevated blood calcium levels which may result in vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, weight loss, increased urination, and bone fractures.
3. Avocados
Avocados are high in fat content, which can cause stomach upset and pancreatitis. The fruit’s pit or seed contains person, an oil-soluble toxic substance that causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
4. Onions
Onions contain sulfoxides which can damage red blood cells (RBCs) and lead to anemia. They also contain disulfides which may cause Heinz body formation in dogs, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, or lethargy.
5. Macadamia Nuts
Raw macadamia nuts are toxic for dogs because they contain the substance ‘macadamia nuts toxin’ that can cause digestive upset, vomiting and neurological problems in dogs.
Can Persimmon Skin Be Eaten?
No, persimmon skin is not meant to be eaten by dogs. Here are 5 reasons why you should not let your dog eat persimmon skin:
1. Can Cause Digestive Problems
The skin of a ripe but firm persimmon contains tannins, which can irritate the mouth and cause gastrointestinal problems like vomiting or diarrhea if consumed by dogs. These digestive problems can be worsened by the high sugar content in persimmon skin.
2. Can Cause Nausea and Vomiting
Persimmon skin contains a chemical called psoralen, which can cause photosensitization if your dog consumes it. This means that when an animal’s skin is exposed to sunlight after ingestion of this fruit, it can cause a potentially life-threatening reaction in the skin.
3. Can Cause Intestinal Blockage
Persimmon skin is small and may be difficult for your pet to digest. It can also get stuck in the intestines or become lodged in the stomach when consumed by dogs, leading to intestinal obstruction. This condition requires emergency treatment to prevent serious complications.
4. Can Lead To Allergic Reaction
Persimmon skin contains tannins like seeds, which can cause allergic reactions to pets with sensitive skin or allergies to certain chemicals. You should watch your dog closely after feeding him persimmon skin because it may lead to hives, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and diarrhea.
5. May Contain Poisons
The skin of unripe persimmons may contain an unknown toxin that can make dogs sick if consumed. Also, the leaves and stems of this fruit are poisonous to your pets, so avoid feeding them any part of the plant.
Precautions To Take While Feeding Dogs Persimmons
i. Give Them In Moderation
Limit how many persimmons you give your dog. You should only offer a few bites of the fruit, and avoid feeding them a large amount at once because too much sugar can cause stomach problems in dogs.
ii. Cut The Fruit Into Small Pieces
When you serve your dog the fruit, cut it into small pieces or use a fruit cutter to prevent your dog from choking. A piece of persimmon greater than one inch in diameter can be potentially dangerous for dogs because it can get stuck in their throats and cause suffocation.
iii. Keep Them Away From Sunlight
It is best not to let your pets consume persimmons when they are ripe. Once the fruit softens and the seeds become exposed, you should remove it from their reach because its skin contains psoralen which can cause photosensitive reactions in dogs.
iv. Monitor Your Dog’s Response
After feeding persimmons to your pet, monitor its response closely for signs of allergic reaction like vomiting, diarrhea, hives, weakness, seizures, pale gums, or difficulty breathing. You should take your dog to see a vet if it has these signs because the condition may require immediate treatment.
v. Rinse Off The Fruit’s Skin If It Is Soft Or Ripe
If you find that your dog has consumed some fruit skin after eating its fill of persimmons, you should rinse their mouth with water to remove clinging pieces. However, do not attempt to make your pets vomit the fruit skin out because it can cause choking or obstruction of the esophagus in them.
vi. Avoid Offering Seeds
While the seeds of unripe persimmons are not poisonous, you should avoid giving them to your pets because they may swallow the seeds while eating. If consumed, the seeds can stick in their intestines or cause intestinal obstruction.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Persimmons And Gets Sick
i. Consult A Veterinary Professional
If your dog eats persimmon skin or consumes too much of it, you should take them to a vet if they become sick. The vet will make sure that the fruit has not caused any damage to its internal organs. They may recommend inducing vomiting in your pet if psoralen is suspected to be the cause of their symptoms. You should avoid feeding your dog anything afterward because vomiting can cause choking in dogs.
ii. Give Them Plenty Of Fluids
To fight dehydration, you should offer your dog generous servings of water after it has vomited. Also, make efforts to keep them well-hydrated by encouraging drinking while they are feeling normal again. If the skin is suspected to be causing blockages in your pet, you may have to stay at the veterinary office until the condition subsides.
iii. Administer Antihistamines If Necessary
If your dog exhibits allergic reactions after eating persimmons, you may have to give them antihistamines for a few days because the effects of the fruit can remain in their body even after consumption. You should give your pet Benadryl or another antihistamine medication if their symptoms continue for more than 24 hours.
iv. Use A Stomach Tube If Necessary
You should seek the help of a veterinarian if your dog becomes very nauseous after eating persimmons or if it continues to vomit even after vomiting induced by you or your vet. The vet will give them an injection of fluids and anti-nausea medication before passing a tube into their esophagus. This will allow them to vomit any remaining contents of the stomach that may be stuck there.
v. Monitor Your Dog’s Breathing
Take your pet for frequent checkups while it is recovering from an episode of persimmon ingestion because it may become weak and experience breathing problems. The vet will observe for signs of respiratory distress in your dog when they are taking them in to see their condition.
vi. Watch For Any Signs Of Addiction
Watch out for any signs of addiction if you find that your pet likes the taste of persimmons. You should take away persimmons from their reach and make them eat other items like carrots and apples.
vii. Keep A Check On Your Dog’s Digestion
If your pet cannot stop eating persimmons, you should take them to a veterinarian right away because it could lead to excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, or even bowel obstruction. If the stomach is overloaded with persimmon flesh, digestion problems may arise. The vet will tell you how long to restrict your dog’s diet and when it can go back to eating normally.
Feeding your dog with persimmons in moderation is generally safe. However, there are certain precautions you should take when feeding your dog with this fruit to prevent gastrointestinal issues and other problems. If you notice your dog eating the skin or the seeds of persimmons and exhibiting unusual symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, pale gums, or difficulty breathing after eating persimmon, you should call your vet immediately. By knowing how many persimmons can be given to a dog, the symptoms of poisoning and what fruits are bad for dogs, you will know if your pet needs help.
