Have you ever been snacking on grapes and caught your furry friend eyeing them? Pet owners know that certain human foods are not safe for animal consumption, so how safe could grapes be for your pup? Grapes may seem like a harmless snack, but they can be extremely toxic to dogs. Let’s take a closer look at why grapes are poisonous to dogs.
How Grapes Pose a Serious Risk to Dogs
It’s unclear what makes grapes and similar snacks, like raisins and sultanas, toxic to dogs. What we do know is that these fruits can be dangerous to their health. While not all dogs may react the same way, grape toxicity can lead to acute kidney failure and decreased urine production. Dehydration is a common symptom from grape consumption. Sadly, since the specific toxin causing kidney failure in dogs remains unknown, there’s no cure other than providing supportive care. Additionally, it may take up to three days for symptoms to become noticeable, and if left untreated, your dog could experience life-threatening clinical signs.
Grape Toxicity
Seek medical attention right away if your dog has eaten a significant number of grapes. Symptoms of poisoning typically appear within 12 to 24 hours after ingestion but can potentially take up to three days for symptoms to display. If treatment is not provided, acute kidney failure can occur, which can lead to fatality. Common symptoms of poisoning include:
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Bad breath
- Lack of appetite
- Increased heart rate
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive urination
Treatment
If your pup ate grapes, raisins, or anything made with grapes, you must contact your veterinarian and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 immediately. Do not delay and wait for signs of poisoning to show as it can be too late by that point. At the veterinary clinic, your veterinarian may administer activated charcoal to absorb the toxins. IV fluids will be provided to help urine formation, combat dehydration, and prevent kidney failure. Your pup may be put on a dialysis machine to support the kidneys. As stated earlier, the exact cause of poisoning has yet to be discovered, but we do know that dogs should never be given grapes.
