Whether as an extra in homemade diets or as an occasional treat, many people choose to offer fruits and vegetables to their dogs. However, there are some foods that should never be offered as they can cause poisoning or serious he alth problems.
Do you want to know if dogs can eat green grapes or raisins? Are they toxic? What can happen if our dog has eaten one? In this new article on our site we will solve all your doubts, taking into account various scientific studies
Why shouldn't dogs eat grapes?
The common grapes (Vitis vinifera) are included in the list of foods that we should never offer to our. Although many studies confirm the toxicity of grapes [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] The truth is that the exact toxic mechanism is unknown.
It is not possible to be sure what the harmful component is (which could also be found in variable amounts), the exact dose that a dog should consume or if there is an extrinsic product that is not always present. For this reason, any dose is considered a problem for the dog's he alth.
In addition to causing intoxication, the consumption of this fruit causes a higher concentration of urea nitrogen in the blood and/or serum creatinine, which can in turn cause insufficiency acute renal [1].
My dog ate a grape, is it serious?
Since there are no conclusive results on the mechanism of toxicity of grapes, it is not possible to know exactly if a single grape is potentially harmful or not Each individual, moreover, can react more or less exaggeratedly to the same quantity.
Below we show you some results after the consumption of grapes in dogs: a dog developed kidney failure with only 2.8 milligrams per kilo weighing [1], while another was euthanized after consuming 4.7 grams for every kilogram of weight [5] On the other hand, between 4 and 5 grapes caused a kidney failurein an 8.2 kilogram dachshund [5]
Grape poisoning in dogs
Symptoms of grape poisoning in dogs Begin to manifest after 6 hours of consumption and never after 24 hours of consumption. ingestion. The most common signals are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Anorexia (the dog does not eat)
- Abdominal tenderness
- Lethargy
- Remains of grapes in stool
- Remains of grapes in vomit
- Polydipsia (excessive thirst)
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from grape poisoning, we recommend you go to the vet's emergency room, who can start carrying out different tests to ensure that the dog has been intoxicated.
To begin with, the vet will assess the dog for kidney failure, the most obvious sign. In addition, the tests performed should show the presence of elevated urea and creatinine, oliguria or anuria, proteinuria, glycosuria, microscopic hematuria, and sometimes even crystalluria [5]The prognosis for dogs with oliguria or anuria is poor [2]
The treatment to apply to grape poisoning in dogs will depend on the symptoms shown by the animal. emetics are generally used to induce vomiting and/or absorbents, such as the use of activated carbon.
Are there other foods dogs can't eat?
Are there other forbidden fruits for dogs? Can they eat cherries or tangerines? The truth is that it is better to avoid them. There are several prohibited foods for dogs that it is advisable not to offer, such as onions, chocolate or macadamia nuts. Although in some cases they do not cause death or serious pathologies, they can cause diarrhea and discomfort
Good vegetables and fruits for dogs
Now that you know the foods you should never offer your dog, it's time to discover new ingredients that you can add to his dietThere are several vegetables and fruits recommended for dogs, although for daily consumption you should always opt for vegetables, since fruits contain a lot of sugar.
Among all the fruits and vegetables we can highlight the sweet potato, boiled potatoes, pumpkin or carrot, popular for their multiple benefits and uses. On the other hand, apples, melons or watermelons are very he althy and will help you stay hydrated in the hottest seasons.
