Can dogs eat grapes? Is it safe for your dog to consume grapes, or are grapes truly toxic to our furry friends? Learn more!
Can Dogs Eat Grapes?
Is your four-legged friend a real food enthusiast, devouring everything that comes in front of its snout? Unfortunately, some foods toxic to dogs might be among them. Luckily, many fruits and vegetables are well-tolerated by your furry companion. However, grapes are an exception! Most dogs find grapes toxic, and they should not be fed to them. Whether your dog eats red or green grapes or even raisins – the dangerous toxin is present in all grapes and can lead to kidney failure in most dogs.
But why for most dogs? According to reports and studies, there are dogs that tolerate grapes well, and others that die within a few days due to kidney failure from grape consumption. The reasons for the varying reactions of dogs to grapes are not scientifically proven yet. It’s better not to take any risks and offer your dog a piece of melon, apple, or another snack instead.
What to Do If My Dog Ate Grapes?
Didn’t pay attention for a moment, and your dog snatched a grape? First of all, don’t panic! Whether and how much your dog suffers from eating grapes depends on the amount ingested and the size of your four-legged friend. If you have a small dog like a Dachshund or Chihuahua, you should quickly go to a clinic and not wait to see if possible poisoning symptoms appear.
For larger breeds or if your dog only nibbled on a small grape, you might not notice it at first. Sometimes your dog may experience abdominal pain or diarrhea. Initial signs of serious grape poisoning in dogs include restlessness, diarrhea, and refusal to eat. If your dog shows possible signs of poisoning, seek veterinary advice promptly.
How Can I Recognize Grape Poisoning?
The toxic dose for grapes is 10-30g of grapes/kg body weight. For raisins, it’s 3g/kg body weight. Typical symptoms of grape poisoning include:
If your dog exhibits the above symptoms, quickly go to a veterinary clinic. Under no circumstances should you try to induce vomiting in your dog! This can only make things worse.
Do Grapes Cause Kidney Failure in Dogs?
Yes and no. In principle, grapes are not always toxic to dogs. Whether your dog suffers from poisoning due to the toxin in grapes or not is individual. Factors such as the amount consumed in relation to body weight and individual sensitivity play essential roles. If grapes prove toxic to your dog, untreated poisoning can lead to kidney failure within a few days and can be fatal.
