Can Dogs Eat Grapefruit? Is Grapefruit Good for Dogs?
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Did you know that flavors aid dogs in knowing what foods to eat and which ones to steer clear from? This is why dogs don’t enjoy tart treats. However, even though your dog may not like grapefruit, should you coax them into eating it? The short answer is no, dogs should not eat grapefruit, and let us tell you why…
Here’s everything you need to know about dogs and grapefruit.
Can Dogs Have Grapefruit?
So, should you try feeding your dog grapefruit? While grapefruit does wonders for humans, including boosting your immune system, promoting appetite control, and preventing diabetes, grapefruit can be harmful to dogs.
The compound known as psoralen, found in grapefruit, is toxic to dogs. While grapefruit is a superfood with amazing perks for people, it shouldn’t be given to your furry friend.
The Most Dangerous Part
Some studies have found that the grapefruit peel, seeds, and a component known as the pith are toxic to dogs. And this is absolutely true! If you carefully prepare it and take away these dangerous parts, you can drastically reduce toxicity risks, but you still shouldn’t feed the peeled grapefruit flesh to your pet.
What Issues Can Grapefruit Cause in Dogs?
If your dog consumes grapefruit, they will initially show signs such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems. As the toxicity of the grapefruit progresses through their system, your pet may become sensitive to light, begin to excessively drool, and may not be able to stand or walk.
If you think your animal has ingested grapefruit, you need to call your vet right away.
Diagnosis of Grapefruit Poisoning in Dogs
If you suspect Fido has gotten into grapefruit, you need to take him to the vet immediately. When you first arrive at the veterinarian clinic, your vet may begin the appointment by asking questions to understand your dog’s history, including what he was doing earlier that day and when he started behaving abnormally. While doing this, the vet will also conduct a physical exam on your pet and collect his vitals.
If your dog vomits or defecates at the clinic, samples will be taken for clues as to what he ate. Additionally, if your dog is experiencing photosensitivity, a skin scraping may be done by taking a thick layer of your dog’s skin to view under a microscope. This will enable the vet to rule out any other causes of the skin irritation.
Lab work will also be conducted to see how your dog’s organs are functioning. A complete blood count (CBC) may be done to give a baseline on how your dog is handling the toxins internally. These tests allow the vet to know if further diagnostics need to be completed.
Grapefruit Poisoning Treatment in Dogs
The symptoms your pet is having will determine the course of treatment. The vet may induce vomiting if you witnessed your pet eating the grapefruit. This will get rid of the remaining pieces before the body completely absorbs it. The vet may also administer activated charcoal to bind and neutralize the toxicity levels before your dog’s body absorbs it.
If dehydration is an issue, your pet will get intravenous (IV) fluids. This will hydrate him and prevent dehydration from continuing.
If your dog is experiencing skin allergies, a medical cream or ointment will be applied to the affected areas to alleviate itching and irritation. If your pet is suffering from photosensitivity, he will need to be kept out of the sunlight until the grapefruit is completely out of his body.
Grapefruit Poisoning Recovery in Dogs
Detoxification is critical to help your pet recover from grapefruit poisoning. As soon as you suspect he ate this acidic fruit, take him to the vet. If he receives medical help in a timely manner, he should make a full recovery.
Are There Alternatives to Grapefruit?
Yes! Your dogs can enjoy oranges or tangerines. However, if your dog shows signs of digestive issues, you should stop feeding them these fruity treats. Blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, and apples with the seeds removed can all also be given to dogs in moderation.
Conclusion
Dogs cannot eat grapefruit. If your dog ingested grapefruit, you need to rush him to the vet. There, he will undergo lab tests and your vet will decide a course of treatment.
You can give your four-legged companion other types of delicious fruit, including oranges and apples without seeds in moderation. These all have wonderful health benefits and make a healthy snack for a good boy.
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Featured image credit: JillWellington, Pixabay
