Papaya

A small piece of ripe flesh works as an occasional treat with a little extra vitamins and water.

One small cube (about 1 cm) per serving, and never at the expense of the main diet.

Peel, remove the seeds and dice small with no seasoning.

Cats need no fruit; keep papaya seeds and skin away from them, watch for redness or drooling around the mouth after the first taste, and keep treats within about 10% of daily energy intake.

Provides vitamin C, vitamin A from beta-carotene and dietary fibre, with soft juicy flesh that is easy to serve.

1-2 small pieces (about a tablespoon) for a small dog, within about 10% of daily energy intake.

Use ripe fruit, peel and seed it, then cut the flesh into small pieces; no sugar, honey or condensed milk (papaya milkshakes and sweet papaya soups are unsuitable).

The seeds contain glucosinolate-type compounds and can irritate the gut, and the skin is hard to digest, so both go in the bin; papain can irritate the skin around the mouth, so check after the first taste.