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Last Updated on February 13, 2024 by Thee Puppypreneur
CAN DOGS EAT GRAPES
Can dogs have grapes? NO!
If you are asking yourself are grapes safe for dogs, you should also know that raisins and currants which come from grapes as well, are also toxic to dogs.
WHY ARE GRAPES BAD FOR DOGS
No one has known why grapes are toxic to dogs until recently. It was discovered by a group of veterinarians that the tartaric acid in grapes may be the toxic component to dogs. 1‘In the News’: Updates on Grape Toxicity – Clinical Nutrition Service at Cummings School (tufts.edu) 2Letters to the Editor in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Volume 258 Issue 7 (2021) (avma.org)
Tartaric acid can be found in a host of fruits and vegetables. Most notably in grapes, tamarinds, bananas and tomatoes 3Tartaric Acid – Definition, Properties, Structure, and Uses (vedantu.com)
Tartaric acid is also a component of cooking products such as cream of tartar 4Potassium Bitartrate – Assignment Point (4) and baking powder.
It can even be found in supplements such as choline bitartrate. The tartrate is made from tartaric acid (naturally found in grapes) leftover at the end of the wine fermentation process. 5What is Choline? | Honest a
ARE GRAPES SAFE FOR DOGS
There have been reports of dogs eating grapes and being fine. For example, when I was a child, I used to feed our black lab grapes all the time (because I didn’t know they were apparently toxic) and he lived until 16 years old with ZERO health issues except old age.
And then there have even been reports of deaths from dogs eating grapes (not any of mine). Grapes are known to cause kidney failure and even death in dogs.
WHY GRAPES ARE TOXIC TO DOGS AND THE SYMPTOMS OF GRAPE POISONING IN DOGS
Toxic symptoms and kidney failure have been seen in as little as 72 hours and death has even occurred in a dog fed 4-5 grapes. 6Raisin and Grape Toxicosis in Dogs – Toxicology – Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com)
Other symptoms of grape poisoning in dogs can include;
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Anorexia
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Increased Thirst
- Death 7Eubig, P. A., Brady, M. S., Gwaltney-Brant, S. M., Khan, S. A., Mazzaferro, E. M., & Morrow, C. M. (2005). Acute renal failure in dogs after the ingestion of grapes or raisins: a retrospective evaluation of 43 dogs (1992-2002). Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 19(5), 663–674. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2005.tb02744.x
HOW GRAPE POISONING IN DOGS IS TREATED
Depending on how long ago the grapes were ingested will determine the protocol.
Typically, your veterinarian will run a;
- CBC (complete blood count)
- Serum Chemistry Profile (check kidney function)
- Urinalysis
- Induce vomiting with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution which is typically 1 tsp. per 5 lbs. of body weight with maximum of 3 tbsp for dogs weighing more than 45 pounds 8When and How to induce Vomiting in Dogs | Red Rocks Animal Center | Lakewood Vet
- Administration of activated charcoal to prevent further absorption of toxicities
- IV fluid to help flush out toxins from the kidneys
- Diuretics to increase urine output
- Close monitoring of kidney function after administration of treatment
You never want to induce vomiting if your pet is already vomiting, unconscious, having a seizure, lethargic or has swallowed sharp objects or poisonous or corrosive materials such as batteries, cleaning solvents, or oily things such as kerosine and gasoline or if your dog is brachycephalic (meaning it has a smushed face) like a pug.
Check out our other articles to learn what other foods contain tartaric acid;
CAN DOGS EAT BANANAS? HEALTH BENEFITS AND 1 NEW DANGER OF FEEDING YOUR DOG BANANAS
