Act 4 - Scene 7
Fruit
Fruits should be fed at least 30 minutes before the feeding of a main meal
and at least 2 hours after the feeding of a main meal.
You do not want to feed fruits with meats or vegetables because fruit uses
different digestive enzymes. Therefore, combining fruits with other foods
creates bad digestion. Since bad digestion means essentially that the food is
not digested and since fruits are high in sugar, the undigested fruit then
begins to putrefy leading to the growth of bad bacteria and other related health
problems.
Fruit is, for the most part, digested rather quick and so feeding fruit at
least 30 minutes before a main meal allows the fruit to be digested enough to
not cause any problems. Although I prefer to feed fruits at least 60 minutes
before a main meal is fed.
Feeding fruits at least 2 hours after a main meal is fed helps ensure the
main meal is digested enough to ensure the fruit doesn't cause any problems.
Fruit is high in sugar. Bananas are exceptionally high in sugar.
When feeding fruit to our pets we must not feed them as if they are human. It
is better to feed fruit in small amounts according to their size. For example, a
small Chihuahua will be eating too much fruit if you feed it a whole banana.
Conversely, a big Rottweiler will laugh if you feed it a small piece of banana.
A Chihuahua should eat maybe only 5 - 10% of the human amount whereas a
Rottweiler, due to its size could eat a whole banana or piece of fruit.
So when feeding fruit, feed it responsibly and it proportions that match the
size of your pet.
Fruits have many wonderful benefits but these benefits must be balanced by an
awareness that excess sugar, regardless of its form, is not good. Fruits contain
fruit sugar but it's still a sugar even though it is naturally occurring and its
natural, whole state.
Apple:
This ancient fruit is said to help calm the digestive system. Apple is said
also to have the ability to help the body absorb calcium and iron from other
foods. A tea made by steeping apple peels is said to be excellent for the
kidneys. If your dog doesn't like apples then try feeding it with the peel
removed. Some dogs won't eat apples unless the peel is removed.
Avocado:
Low in sugar and with no starch, avocados contain quite a bit of fruit oil.
Avocados are said to help regulate body functions and stimulate growth. I’ve
heard of a cat that just loves its avocado and this is probably because of its
high fat content. Dogs love avocados too!
The problem is that it is being reported the avocados are in fact poisonous to our pets. The toxic substance in avocados is reported to be persin, a fatty acid derivative. Avocados are reported to be poisonous to dogs, cats and other animals especially birds.
While one can debate whether or not avocados are poisonous or not, I would suggest that you do not feed avocados and if you have a pet, other than a dog, cat or bird, then consult with your vet before feeding an avocado to make sure it won't harm your pet.
Banana:
Bananas are interesting because they are said to add natural acidophilus
bacteria to the bowels although probably in small amounts only. Bananas are
also a good source of potassium which benefits the muscular system. Their
sweetness usually makes them a favourite of dogs.
Blackberry:
A good source of iron, some dogs are known to pick ripe blackberries right
from the plant. Blackberries are said to be one of the best blood builders.
Blackberries may cause constipation though.
Blueberry:
Fruits that have a peel around them like blueberry are hard for your
carnivore friend to break down. As a result, if you see the blueberries come
out in your pet’s stools, you may want to slice them in half before feeding
another time... or if you are like me, you just grab a handful, put them on
the floor and let your dog eat them with joy... I don't worry too much how
well my dogs will digest them because my dogs simply love blueberries and
that's good enough for me. It is said though that blueberries are said to be a
good source of silicon which is said to help rejuvenate the pancreas.
Cherries:
Cherries are high in iron and said to be both a laxative and blood builder.
Cherries can assist with elimination and help remove toxic substances.
Cherries are also said to help the glandular system.
Grapes (Raisins):
There is currently some debate regarding the safety of both grapes and
raisins. Recent reports are saying that grapes and raisins can be toxic to
dogs when ingested in large quantities. Some reports say that it is okay to
feed grapes and raisins in small doses, while some say not at all. Whether or
not the grapes and raisins are toxic to our pets or whether it could be a
pesticide used on grapes, is not something I know. Due to the fact though
there is presently some concern as to the safety of grapes and raisins, it is
best to avoid feeding grapes and raisins until more research is done. From
what I have read, it is said that both grapes and raisins are potentially
damaging to the kidneys in our pets. In some pets, raisins and/or grapes have
been reported to kill the pet.
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Grapes are said to be helpful to the bowel, liver and kidneys.
The high sugar content of grapes is sure to please any canine. Dark grapes are
said to be high in iron which in turn is said to help build blood. Grapes are
also said to be high in magnesium.
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Kiwis:
This
particular fruit is exceptionally high in vitamin C. I really enjoy giving
this fruit to my dogs. You can try feeding the kiwi with or without the peel
intact. Some dogs won't eat kiwi unless the peel is removed. I have one dog
that wants the peel removed and another dog that doesn't care.
Melons:
Melons are an excellent source of naturally purified water. This in turn is
said to help the kidneys and elimination.
Papaya:
A good source of vitamins A, C, and E; calcium, phosphorus, and iron.
Papaya is said to be a good source of digestive properties to soothe the
stomach. I like to buy dehydrated papaya and feed it to my dogs. It is like candy to them but if you feed dehydrated papaya make sure it is unsulfured and also do not feed too much. Any dehydrated fruit is very high in sugar and so only feed a small amount.
Peaches:
Peaches are said to have a laxative effect on the body and a tea made from
the leaves of peaches is said to be beneficial for the kidneys. Peaches are
said to help eliminate toxins and the sweetness will be appreciated by dogs.
Editor's Paw Note:
If you want, you can feed dehydrated fruits to your pets. There are two
things to remember about dehydrated fruits though:
-
When buying dehydrated fruits you want to buy fruits that are not covered
in sulphur as a preservative. Usually your health food store will carry non-sulphered
dehydrated fruits.
-
Dehydrated fruits are high in sugar. Therefore, if your pet is diabetic
then you may not want to feed dehydrated fruits.
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