Dogs love to eat anything that their human friends are eating, but sometimes this can lead to trouble. For example, can dogs eat prickly pear and other cactus plants? Let’s find out.
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The Prickly pear cactus is a plant native to Mexico. The fruit of this plant is known as prickly pear and is generally very sweet and can be eaten even in raw form. It has immense health benefits for humans, as it helps in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
But can a dog eat prickly pear?
Dogs are curious animals. They like to explore the world through their nose and tongue. For instance, they love to taste any plant or shrub that grows in your garden, including prickly pears.
On prickly pears, the jury is still out. According to the ASPCA prickly pear is not poisonous for your dog.
The oil contained in the seeds of prickly pear has abundant fatty acids, which are beneficial for you and your dog’s health. But if he eats them in excess, your furry friend may have a constipation problem.
On the other hand, some dog specialists say that the prickly pear version is toxic to dogs if consumed even in small amounts. Not only that, the spikes on the fruit can cause severe problems in your dog, and you may need to take him to a veterinary doctor.
In either case, if your dog ingests a small amount of prickly pear, you probably don’t have anything to worry about.
In this article, I will discuss more prickly pears, their sponges, and other problems that they can cause to dogs. So, keep on reading the article for more information.
Are Cactus Plants Toxic For Dogs?
There is a fibrous material in cactus plants that can cause stomach problems in your furry friend, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.
Moreover, if you spread pesticides or any other chemical on the cactus plant and your dog ingests it, then it can be dangerous for your dog.
The sap of the Cactus can also develop allergic reactions in dogs.
The spines on the cactus plants can severely harm your dog.
So, in short, most cactus plants are not poisonous to dogs but can cause severe digestive problems. So, it’s better to avoid it.
What Are The Signs Of Trouble After Ingesting Prickly Pear?
The sap contained in the prickly pear is slightly acidic, which can have a mild to moderate effect on your dog. The symptoms may vary from one dog to another because they depend on age, health condition, and weight.
I am listing a few signs which indicate that your dog is having trouble after eating cactus plants
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
If your furry friend doesn’t eat prickly pear but has had dermal contact, then you may notice the following symptoms
- Swelling in the eyes
- Irritation on the skin
- Blister
- Burning
- Rashes on the skin
- Temporary or permanently blind your dog
- Ulceration
What Should I Do If My Dog Ate Prickly Pear?
The best way to protect your dog is by not growing any cactus plants, including prickly pear, in your garden.
If your furry friend accidentally eats prickly pear, you don’t need to panic. The first thing you need to do is calmly observe and monitor your dog, like his behavior, eating habits, bowel movements, and others.
If you find changes in changes in his eating habit or he vomits a lot after ingesting prickly pear, then bring him immediately to a veterinary doctor. He will examine your furry friend and take action accordingly.
How Can I Remove Prickly Pear Spines From My Dog?
Imagine a situation when you are out for a walk with your furry friend. Suddenly, he goes out of the path, follows a nice smell, and yelps at it. You ran towards your dog and noticed that the glochids of prickly pear had attached to your pet dog’s skin.
Fortunately, prickly pears don’t have long spines. But they have glochids that can stick on your dog’s fur and can cause skin irritation and rashes.
You can follow the steps below to remove the glochids from your dog’s skin.
#1. Wear Leather Gloves
The first thing you need to do is wear rubber gloves to remove the glochids from your pooch’s fur.
#2. Use Metal Comb Or Tweezers
Take a metal comb, slide the teeth in between the piece of Cactus and your dog’s skin, and then comb it. It will help in removing glochids.
You can also use tweezers to remove the glochids from your pet dog’s skin.
#3.Clean The Area
To remove all the dirt and debris, you need to clean the pierced area with normal water for five to 10 minutes. Then apply some antibiotic cream on the skin and cover the affected area with a bandage.
#4. Monitor Your Dog’s Skin
You need to monitor the skin of your dog within a fixed interval. If you find any redness, swelling, or blisters on the affected area, take your dog to the veterinary doctor immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1. Is prickly pear cactus toxic?
According to the ASPCA website, prickly pear is not harmful to your furry friend. But some Veterinary doctors say that prickly pear is poisonous for dogs if consumed even in small quantities.
I suggest you avoid giving prickly pear to your dog better because of different opinions among Veterinary doctors.
#2. Are prickly pears safe to eat?
Yes, human beings can eat prickly pears in raw and cooked form. It contains many vital plant compounds like flavonoids and other pigments suitable for maintaining blood pressure and sugar level. But some people may have side effects after consuming prickly pears like vomiting and diarrhea.
People prefer to share their food with their pet dogs. If you have a pet dog in your house, you must be thinking of giving prickly pear to your pooch.
But some veterinary doctors advise not to provide the prickly pear to the dog, even in small quantities, as it can have a toxic effect. So, I will suggest you avoid giving prickly pears to your dog.
#3. Are Cactus safe for dogs?
Eating Cactus will not cause any toxic effect on the dog. But ingesting the sap of the plant can cause allergies in your dog. Moreover, it has so many thorns which can damage the tissues or cause skin irritation on your furry friend.
#4. Are prickly pears good for constipation?
Prickly pears are a good source of fiber which help in removing toxic substances from the body. But overeating can cause constipation problems.
A Few Final Words
Prickly pear is a cactus fruit. But can dogs eat prickly pear? I cannot give you a straight answer because it’s written that prickly pear is safe for dogs on the ASPCA website, but some veterinary doctors advise not to give this fruit to your dog.
I will suggest you better avoid giving prickly pears to dogs. It will not put your dog’s life in danger. There are many possible alternatives to prickly pear. You can feed them instead of prickly pear.
We thank you for reading this article, and we hope you liked the coverage. If you have further questions, do drop a word to us in the comments below and we will get back to you as soon as we can. You might also like to read: Can Dogs Eat Cactus Fruit? And Can Dogs Eat Helicopter Seeds?