Summertime is the season for lounging by the pool, spending time outdoors, and of course – eating refreshing fruits like grapefruit. But what about our four-legged friends? Can dogs eat grapefruit? The answer may surprise you! Keep reading to learn more.
Can dogs eat grapefruit?
The simple answer is no!
Why?
Grapefruit can be dangerous for dogs because they have ingredients that can be toxic.
Why can grapefruit be a problem for dogs?
The specific problem is a compound in grapefruit called psoralens. Psoralens are naturally occurring chemicals from the family of compounds known as furanocoumarins, which can cause skin problems and can be unsafe for dogs.
How much grapefruit is too much?
If your dog eats a small amount of grapefruit, they will likely have no problems at all — it’s only when dogs eat large amounts that there’s a risk for toxicity associated with grapefruit consumption.
This is why you should keep grapes and raisins out of reach if your dog isn’t used to eating them (because, like with grapefruits, the chemical compounds in these fruits may cause issues such as toxicity).
What happens if my dog ate unattended grapefruit?
If your dog happens to eat too much grapefruit, it may experience gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
They may also be at risk for more serious complications like liver damage or kidney failure if their bodies cannot process the chemicals in grapefruit fast enough. Symptoms are typically noticed within 12 hours after consumption but can take up to 72 hours to appear.
What are the grapefruit toxicity symptoms?
Like the ones mentioned above, here are all the possible symptoms of grapefruit poisoning in dogs. The symptoms include stomach irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite, loss of balance, increased urination and thirst, depression, yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice), bleeding disorders, breathing problems, kidney failure, and even death.
Even if your dog does not eat the entire piece of fruit or peel, they may still be at risk for toxicosis! Grapefruit can also interact with certain medications, so always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog anything new.
Diagnosis of Grapefruit Poisoning in Dogs
The veterinarian will begin by asking you several questions at the clinic to try and obtain a history when you first arrive. What was your dog doing earlier that day? Has he gotten into something he shouldn’t have? What signs did your dog exhibit when you first noticed his unusual behavior? During this time, he/she will also do a physical examination on your dog to collect his vital signs and verify the symptoms he is experiencing.
If your dog vomits at the clinic, the veterinarian will inspect the regurgitated material for clues as to what he ate. A sample will be taken, and diagnostics performed to rule out other possible causes, such as internal parasites or bacterial overgrowth, if your dog has diarrhea.
A skin scraping sample may be taken if your dog reacts to photosensitivity by exhibiting any type of skin condition. The veterinarian will scrape away a layer of your dog’s skin with a scalpel to inspect under the microscope. He or she will be able to eliminate other reasons for skin irritation this way.
The first step toward fixing your dog’s behavior problems will be a thorough physical exam and blood tests. The doctors will also perform some lab testing to get information on how well your dog’s inner organs are working.
A full blood count (CBC) and a chemistry profile will be performed to obtain a reference of how your dog’s organs are responding to the poison. These tests give a general overview and let the veterinarian know whether additional testing is required or not.
The veterinarian may also request a urinalysis to assess kidney function. A packed cell volume (PCV) will be utilized to check for dehydration if it is an issue.
Prevention
The best thing you can do if you think your dog has eaten grapefruit or may in the future is to keep it out of their reach entirely. If they eat grapes or raisins, you should contact a veterinarian immediately.
When in doubt, always err on the side of caution! If you notice any symptoms after eating grapefruit, then get in touch with a veterinarian right away.
Treatment for Grapefruit Toxicity
If grapefruit poisoning is detected early enough (before liver damage), vomiting can be induced by your vet to clear the toxic substance from your dog’s system.
If there are no symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea present, but jaundice is noticeable, treatment with fluids may also help flush the toxin out of the body. For dogs who experience liver damage, treatment may include a special diet and possibly even a liver transplant if their condition is severe.
Can dogs eat grapefruit if it has been peeled?
It is not recommended to feed your dog peeled grapefruit because you do not know what might have been inside the fruit. Pesticides and other harmful chemicals are often used when growing fruits, so there could be a high chance that these could remain even after being washed, which would increase the risk of toxicity in your pet.
Why can’t I give my dog a few bites of grapefruit?
The seeds, membranes, and peel contain a chemical called psoralens, which cause the toxicity issue for your dog. This chemical increases when the grapefruit is exposed to light or heat, making it harder to remove from certain foods.
Dogs usually get sick from eating 1-2 whole grapefruit, but if they eat even a little bit of the peel or seeds, then it can still cause toxicity in your pet.
Can dogs eat grapefruit rinds?
It is not recommended to give your dog any part of grapefruit, including the rind and seeds, because these parts contain high amounts of psoralens which increase when exposed to light and heat, making this type of fruit toxic for dogs.
Can dogs eat grapefruit juice?
It is not recommended to give your dog grapefruit juice either. One cup of grapefruit juice has the same amount of psoralens as nine or more whole grapefruits, and this can also cause toxicity in dogs even if they drink small amounts.
If you choose to give your pet some type of fruit juice, make sure it does not contain any seeds, peels, or rinds, and always take into account how many cups are in one serving size.
Grapefruit juice should only be given in very small amounts (1 teaspoon at a time) and never regularly since it contains high amounts of sugars, leading to obesity and other health issues for your four-legged friend.
Can dogs eat grapefruit halves?
If you decide to feed your dog a whole grapefruit, make sure it is cut in half and then remove the seeds, membrane, and peel before giving it to them.
Feeding your pet one of these halves should be okay for occasional treats but do not forget that there can still be toxicity symptoms from even small amounts of the fruit, so if you see any of these symptoms after giving your dog a piece of grapefruit, call your veterinarian immediately.
Can dogs eat grapefruit juice concentrate?
Dogs should not be given grapefruit juice concentrate either because the same amount of psoralens as from 9 whole grapefruits can cause toxic symptoms, so it is best to give your pup a different type of fruit or vegetable that does not include these chemicals.
Can dogs eat white-fleshed grapefruit?
White-fleshed grapefruits have lower amounts of psoralens than red and pink ones, but they still contain them, so feeding your dog any part of this fruit may still cause toxicity symptoms.
If you choose to feed your pet white-fleshed grapefruit, make sure you remove the seeds, membrane, and peel before giving it to them and always monitor their symptoms to make sure they stay safe.
Can dogs eat Ruby Red grapefruit?
It is not recommended to give your dog any part of a white-fleshed grapefruit, including seeds and membrane, because these parts contain high amounts of psoralens which increase when exposed to light and heat, making this type of fruit toxic for dogs.
What should owners do if dogs eat a grapefruit?
If you notice that your dog ate a grapefruit or that they were fed one, try to monitor what other symptoms appear. If any of these are severe, then contact your veterinarian immediately. If you notice your dog experiencing any symptoms, call your veterinarian immediately.
Even if no symptoms are noticed after eating a grapefruit, it is always important to take your pet to the vet for a check-up because there may be some type of underlying medical issue causing them not to feel well.
Conclusion: Can dogs eat grapefruit?
Although these fruits may be a healthy treat for humans, it is best to avoid giving them to your dog.
Not only can they cause toxicity issues, but most dogs do not even enjoy eating them because of their sour taste!
Instead, choose cooked sweet potatoes as a healthier alternative that is easily digested by dogs and consider other fruit options like blueberries, bananas, and apples if you want to give your pet something different this summer.