CAN DOGS EAT GRAPES?

CAN DOGS EAT GRAPES?

The answer is simple, NO!

People feed their animal friends with vegetables and fruits either as a reward or because they prefer to follow their home diets. But you should always consult your vet because it is not possibile always.

Do you want to know a dog can eat grapes or raisins? What happens if the dog eats such food?  If they are they toxic to dogs?

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ARE GRAPES GOOD FOR DOGS?

Grapes from Vitis vinifera vines are considered among the fruits and vegetables that dogs should never eat.  Although numerous studies demonstrated that grapes are toxic  (see the resources at end of the page), we still do not know the exact mechanism that causes this toxicity.

The consumption of the grapes increases the concentration or urea nitrogen in the blood and serum creatinine that can cause an acute renal problem.

MY DOG ATE GRAPES, IS IT BAD?

Considering we still do not know the toxicity mechanism it is not possible to establish the exact quantity/dose of grapes that can cause a toxicity. Every dog has a subjective reaction, depending the quantity.

Here are some results from the studies carried out on dogs that consumed accidentally grapes: 

  • one dog had kidney failure with only 2.8 mg/kg of weight, 

  • one had to be suppressed after ingesting 4.7 g/kg weight, 

  • in another case 4-5 grapes caused kidney failure in an 8.2 kg dog.

SYMPTOMS OF GRAPE POISONING FOR DOGS

Symptoms begin to appear 6 hours after eating, never after 24 hours have passed. 

The most common signs are:

  • Vomit

  • Diarrhea

  • Anorexia (the dog does not eat)

  • Abdominal sensitivity

  • Lethargy

  • Remains of grapes in the stool

  • Remnants of grapes in the vomit

  • Polydipsia (excessive thirst)

WHAT TO DO IF MY DOG ATE GRAPES?

If you think the dog has eaten grapes call immediately the veterinarian that can diagnose if there is an intoxication and the exact consequences related.

Procedure carried out by the vet:

  1. The doctor will evaluate whether the dog is suffering from kidney failure, the most common symptom.

  2. He will perform analyzes on the dog and if it detects high values ​​of urea and creatinine, oliguria or anuria, proteinuria, glycosuria, microscopic hematuria and crystalluria, it means the dog has had an intoxication due to the grapes. The prognosis in dogs with oliguria or anuria is not very favorable.

Resources

  1. Eubig P., Brady M., Gwaltney-Brant S., Khan S., Mazzaferro E., Morrow C. (2005)Acute Renal Failure in Dogs After the Ingestion of Grapes or Raisins: A Retrospective Evaluation of 43 Dogs Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine Volume 19, Issue 5 September 2005 Pages 663–674.

  2. Gwaltney-Brant S., Holding JK., Donaldson CW., Eubig PA., Khan SA. (2001) Renal failure associated with ingestion of grapes or raisins in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2001 May 15;218(10):1555-6.

  3. Sutton N. M., Bates N., Campbell A., (2009) Factors influencing outcome of Vitis vinifera (grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas) intoxication in dogs. Veterinary Record 2009 Vol.164 No.14 pp.430-431 ref.6.

  4. Campbell A., Grapes, raisins and sultanas, and other foods toxic to dogs VPIS (London), Medical toxicology unit, avonley road, London, SE14 5ER.

  5. Ibidem, pt. 2.

FactsNICOLA ADAMOEliosdog, grapes, eat