The distant laces of our furry pets were harsh predators. Being creatures of the wild, they fed on rodents and birds. Although the life of domesticated animals has accustomed them to warmth and comfort, in response to this, cats and cats began to manifest gastronomic interests that were completely unusual for them. In this case, what kind of cat wouldn’t mind snacking on a tomato, crunching on bell peppers or tasting juicy cucumbers? Some people are crazy about sweet bananas. Most owners do not pay attention to the preferences of their cats. Moreover, they are even touched and proud of the strange tastes of their animals, and, in accordance with the opportunity, they try to pamper their pets with food that is not typical for them, like bananas. But is there any benefit from this southern fruit in the diet of a predator?
Fruits that are not recommended for dogs
I will list fruits that are not recommended for dogs. But, if your dog accidentally eats a small tidbit of one of these treats, most likely nothing terrible will happen.
Grape
Many owners of four-legged animals claim that their pets eat grapes without any consequences or complications. Yes, that's probably true. But grapes (especially the Isabella variety) contain a substance called methanol, which is a strong poison.
In animals with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract and kidney problems, even a few grapes eaten can cause severe poisoning and kidney failure.
Pomegranate
Fruits are very healthy for dogs. But fruits with seeds, and especially seeds from them, are under no circumstances allowed. And pomegranate just belongs to this number. In addition to intestinal obstruction, eating the seeds can cause poisoning. After all, the seeds contain cyanide, the use of which even in small quantities causes poisoning in the animal.
Avocado
Avocado contains a toxic substance called persin, which can cause the development of pancreatitis and disruption of the heart and respiratory tract. Therefore, just as in the case of grapes, it is better not to offer this fruit to a four-legged animal at all.
Citrus
As we know, citrus fruits (lemons, tangerines, oranges and grapefruits) contain a high content of vitamin C, which can cause irritation of the gastric mucosa. However, if your dog is in excellent health and is not prone to allergies, it is quite acceptable to offer your tail a few slices of these fruits (no more), especially in winter.
And in conclusion I would like to say. Offering your dog fruit is not only possible, but even necessary. However, this tasty treat can bring both benefit and harm to the animal’s body.
Therefore, it is important to know which fruits can be given and which ones it is better not to experiment with.
Dangerous fruits
Grapes and raisins in any quantity are toxic to cats and dogs.
It is not recommended to give kiwi, peach, plums, oranges, pineapple. These fruits can cause indigestion and vomiting. Offer your cat the pulp of cherries. It is not recommended to give whole berries with seeds. The cat may choke or injure the mouth, larynx, or esophagus with a shell fragment. In addition, the kernels contain the poison cyanide, which accumulates in the body.
Do not accustom your animal to a vegetarian diet, but do not prevent him from trying any of the permitted fruits. Always monitor your cat's reaction. Each pet is individual and even a “good” fruit can cause allergies.
Photo source: pixabay.com/ru/
Banana in a cat's diet: benefit or harm
In the process of evolution, the digestive system of each living organism has developed in such a way that the food characteristic of this species is most easily digested and absorbed. This also applies to domestic cats; the cat family in the wild feeds exclusively on meat, which contains a lot of protein . Bananas, unlike meat, contain an insufficient amount of protein; they are 80% water; they also contain starch, which turns into sugar in ripe fruit. The rest consists of carbohydrates, fiber and pectins, and the predominant microelements are potassium and magnesium.
The sugar contained in ripe bananas is a dangerous product for the cat’s body; it is difficult to digest and an excess leads to a decrease in immunity. As a result, the animal becomes lethargic and drowsy. Even for humans, two bananas a day is considered the norm, as this is a difficult product for the stomach.
How to give?
In order for apples to benefit your pet, they need to be properly prepared. A treat plucked from a branch will do nothing but harm.
The first time you need to offer a tiny piece - half an apple for a large dog and a slice for a small one. It should be given after eating the main meal. If the animal does not become ill, then the dose is allowed to be increased in subsequent times.
Important: it is preferable to give green apples, since red ones can cause allergies.
The fruit needs to be prepared:
- wash thoroughly (especially if the apple is purchased);
- to peel. You can skip this point if the apple is green, but you must cut off the red skin;
- cut out the core, seeds and stalk. These parts contain cyanide, which is poisonous to both humans and dogs;
- cut into small pieces so that the animal does not choke.
Now you can offer the apple to your pet. If he does not show interest, you should grate the fruit and mix it with something else: porridge, cottage cheese, fruits and vegetables already familiar to the dog. It is acceptable to mix with honey to enhance the taste (but only if the dog is not allergic to bee products).
The only thing that an apple does not go well with is fermented milk products: a dog’s stomach cannot withstand such an amount of acid and indigestion will occur.
How often and how much?
Despite all the usefulness of fruits and vegetables, they should not occupy more than 30% of the diet for large dogs and 50% for small dogs.
You cannot give an apple every day and uncontrollably; be guided by its size and weight:
- small (up to 10 kg) animals can be given 0.5 fruits per day a couple of times a week;
- For medium-sized breeds (from 10 to 25 kg), 1 apple two to three times a week is enough;
- large ones (from 25 to 50) are allowed 2 apples a day, twice a week;
- giant ones (50 or more) can be given a couple of apples three times a week.
Important: even for large dogs, the apple must be cut and peeled
For puppies
As early as two months, puppies can be given a cover of vegetables and fruits, and apples will be indispensable in this situation. They will not provoke allergies in the baby, will improve digestion and provide the necessary vitamins and microelements.
In addition, at a young age, it is easier to teach a puppy to eat different foods. This is a guarantee that the grown dog will not be capricious, refusing an apple, which, as we found out, is useful for him.
Important: from three months until the dog is fully mature, puppies should receive fruits and vegetables daily.
At first, the fruit and vegetable share in the diet can be up to 50 percent; accordingly, you can offer a slice of apple to the puppy every day. Gradually, fruits in the diet are inferior to meat and protein products; Apples don't start coming every day.
Pregnant and lactating
An apple must be present in the diet of a pregnant and lactating bitch. Even if the dog previously refused to eat it, offer it again, mixing it with porridge. Pregnant bitches may change taste preferences, so it will be easier to convince the animal.
During pregnancy, it is best to give raw green apples - they will help cleanse your teeth.
But, if the dog is naturally fed, it is important to take into account that during pregnancy the percentage of meat products should increase (up to 65-70%), and products with carbohydrates and fiber should decrease. Therefore, you should not abuse apples
For a nursing bitch, apples are important as a source of vitamins for her and her puppies.
Different breeds
Apples should be included in the diet of any dog, from a toy terrier to an alabai. Portion size is calculated based on the weight of the animal, not its breed.
Bananas in a cat's diet
Let's get this straight - cats have different nutritional needs than humans. A domestic cat needs special food that provides the animal with vitamins A and C, proteins, taurine, other amino acids and plenty of fat. It seems that all this is present in bananas, but for people.
When wondering whether it is possible to give cats bananas, keep in mind that it is most beneficial for a purring cat to receive nutrition straight from a bag of cat food. If you feed your tailed friend high-quality food and he is in good health, there is likely no need to add additional vitamins to the menu.
Soaked, baked and others
Apples can be prepared in a variety of ways. But almost none of this should be given to your pet:
- soaked apples are prohibited, as are all pickles and pickles;
- baked - yes, if the skin, seeds and the apple were removed without sugar. But only if the dog asks for it, because there are fewer useful substances during heat treatment;
- compote - can be used in small quantities as a pleasant variety if it was prepared without sugar;
- jam - like any very sweet product, is prohibited;
- juice – also not worth it, due to the strong concentration of sour;
- baking with apples - depends on the situation. Of course, you shouldn’t treat your pet to charlotte with apples. But special dog cookies with an apple will be an excellent means of encouragement.
What is the effect of the fruit?
Much, of course, depends on the dog’s breed, age and state of health. There are those pampered four-legged allergy sufferers who cannot tolerate fruit at all. But most dogs living in our latitudes can easily eat apples, traditional for Russia. Moreover, this particular fruit should be considered optimal for introducing healthy vitamin supplements to puppies.
Apples contain pectin, essential vitamins, iron, manganese, potassium and magnesium; they are also light carbohydrates that are needed to ensure that your four-legged friend’s body has a normal supply of energy. The vitamin composition of apples improves immunity, fiber improves digestion. And even dogs with “capricious” digestion (for example, pugs and sharpeis) begin to go to the toilet “like clockwork,” and constipation disappears. The animal feels good, it is energetic and healthy.
Dogs usually like the taste of apples.
How to give apples to your dog
If your dog is trying apples for the first time, then first give him only half of the fruit, and then after eating the main meal. Watch to see if a new product triggers diarrhea in your pet. As a rule, if everything is in order with the dog’s stomach, then this does not happen. Next time, that is, in a day or two, you can give the dog a whole apple. But this does not mean that you should simply offer the whole fruit. Cut it into pieces, remove the core, because the seeds contain dangerous substances.
The best option would be green apples, since red ones can provoke an allergic reaction in the animal. But if there are no other apples besides red ones, then they can be given to the dog after peeling them.
In any case, fruits must be washed, because today they are in most cases treated with dangerous chemicals for better preservation.
By the way, it is recommended to give dogs not only fresh fruits, but also baked ones - they are rich in pectin.
If you are the owner of a small dog whose weight does not exceed 10 kilograms (for example, dachshund, Jagderier, miniature poodle, chihuahua), then half a piece of fruit per day will be enough. Veterinarians advise representatives of larger breeds (weighing from 10 to 25 kg) to give one apple 2-3 times a week. Bobtails, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Briards and other dogs whose weight varies from 25 to 50 kilograms are allowed to eat 2 apples a day, twice a week. But even large dogs must definitely divide the product into pieces and remove the core.
If you have never given this fruit to your ward, and suddenly you notice that he will eat the core you threw away, then do not let him do this. It is apple seeds that can become a source of poisoning for an animal. Its signs are vomiting and heavy breathing.
Many dogs simply don't like fruit and don't show any interest in apples. In this case, look for an alternative among vegetables, which also contain many useful substances and fiber for your ward.
What is a banana made of?
Bananas also contain a lot of useful substances, including potassium and magnesium, which are necessary for good heart function. The chemical composition of bananas also includes serotonin, the so-called pleasure hormone, and people suffering from depression are recommended to include it in their diet.
So, if your cat is licking a banana, he may be sad. Does your pet really get enough affection and attention? This, of course, is a joke, but in fact, you shouldn’t overuse bananas in your cat’s diet.
If you doubt whether cats can eat bananas, just remember not only the advantages of this product, but also the disadvantages. Bananas contain a lot of sugar, which is not only not beneficial for the cat’s body, but even harmful.
Due to the relatively high calorie content, people should not get carried away with bananas; for carnivorous animals, such a gourmet diet can result in gastrointestinal upset.
What should proper nutrition be like?
In fact, once you have a little furry at home, there are few options: feed it with ready-made food or cook it yourself. The only thing you need to remember is how you taught the animal to eat from a young age, so it will eat all its life. Natural food is still preferable to industrial feed, since it does not contain preservatives, dyes and other chemicals, which manufacturers do not spare and at the same time are silent about how harmful it can be for animals.
Your daily diet should include meat, preferably chicken or lean beef. The consumption of offal is allowed; liver and fish can be given no more than once a week. In order for a cat’s diet to be complete, it must be supplemented with cereals and vegetables. Food must be sufficiently boiled and chopped; in no case should you improve its taste with salt and spices. If for some reason you cannot provide your cat with such nutrition and choose dry food, then pay special attention to the quality of the food itself and make sure that there is always fresh water in the bowl.
What to do when your pet still begs you for a banana? Some experts believe that it is useful in small quantities due to the high content of potassium and magnesium; they allow eating a banana about once a week. Nothing bad will happen if you first treat your pet with a small portion, and then monitor how the animal feels.
Whether to allow a cat to try a banana or to immediately refuse the treat is up to the owners; first of all, they must always remember that it is the person who is responsible for its life and health.
What to do if your dog becomes ill
First of all, it is necessary to find out the cause of the malaise.
Allergy
In case of an allergy, the following symptoms may appear: the dog itches, redness and rashes appear on the skin (usually in the ears and paws). The eyes may become red and watery.
In this case, you should immediately exclude the fruit from the diet and give the dog an antihistamine (for example Suprastin or Allervet).
Food poisoning
If the fruits turn out to be of poor quality (excess nitrates), or you did not wash and peel the apples properly, food poisoning may occur. Symptoms of poisoning: gastrointestinal upset (loose stools, vomiting).
In this case, you should also exclude the fruit from the diet and give the animal any absorbent (a means for quickly removing toxins and other harmful substances). It can be Activated carbon, Smecta or Enterosgel
In case of food poisoning, it is important to ensure that your dog drinks fresh water. Diarrhea and vomiting severely dehydrate the body
If the dog does not drink water, it should be forced to drink. It is advisable to “put” your pet on a special lean diet for a couple of days after poisoning, excluding all vegetables and fruits. This can be boiled meat with the addition of rice water.
Binge eating
Overeating fruit is accompanied by the same symptoms as poisoning: bloating, gas, diarrhea and nausea. First aid is the same as in the case of food poisoning.
