They say Grapefruits are healthy fruit for humans. Does the same thing go for dogs too?
We did the research, and the answers were quite fascinating...
So before you start to feed your furry friend some Grapefruit, make sure to go through this whole article; there are some things to consider before actually feeding Grapefruit for dogs.
Is Grapefruit Good For Dogs?
The simple answer is NO!
You should prevent feeding Grapefruits to your dogs because they are toxic, plus the flesh of this fruit is Acidic and can wreak havoc with your Dog's digestive system; also, it can reduce the metabolism in certain drugs too.
And most dogs don't even like the bitter taste of it because they can feel it, and the only benefit for Dogs having Grapefruit is Vitamin C.
The benefit of Vitamin C is not a big deal because Dogs themselves can produce their own, which is one of the main reasons to avoid Grapefruit as it can result in too much Vitamin C, which could cause harm to your four-legged friend.
The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has listed Grapefruit as Toxic for dogs on their list of "toxic foods" for dogs. Also, the famous dog trainer Brandon McMillan stated that Grapefruits harm your Dog's health more than doing good.
So no matter what, feeding Grapefruit is harmful to your Dog, and if you're doing so, you should stop it now.
Why Is Grapefruit A Problem For Dogs?
The answer to this is a bit complicated.
As I said before, it can cause digestive problems to your Dog.
But there are 3 other main culprits:
The Psoralens, this formally high concentration, can be found in the rind, seeds, and grapefruits' flesh.
Psoralens can absorb ultraviolet light and are light-sensitive compounds, so if a dog consumes it, they can fall victim to phototoxic dermatitis. This can cause severe issues like skin lesions, burns, and photosensitivity.
Citric Acid is next up; as you may know, every fruit has it. However, in Grapefruit, it's very concentrated. This is the main reason that affects the digestive system.
And finally, Essential Oil, the rind, is where you can see the essential oils which are toxic for dogs. Because of the fact that the bodies of dogs can't process the oils efficiently, consumption of anything that includes Essential Oils can cause organ damage in dogs.
If you think your Dog might've eaten any part of the Grapefruit, then you should absolutely make sure to take him to the nearest VET.
Do Dogs Like The Taste Of Grapefruits?
Not Really...
Dogs are not really fans of acidic and bitter tastes; even the Dog's taste buds signal that this food is toxic before they even try it.
So this is a clear indication that a dog is not a great fan of grapefruits.
Problems That Can Arise If Your Dog Ate Grapefruits
To be fair, there are many problems that your Dog can experience if He/She eats grapefruits.
So and so, even a tiny part of the Grapefruit can put your Dog in serious trouble.
These are the problems your Dog can experience:
- Digestive Issues
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Constant Vomiting
- Skin Lesions
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Excessive Drooling
- Makes them Weak and Tired
So if you think your Dog has eaten Grapefruit, taking him to the VET should be your first priority.
Symptoms of Grapefruit Poisoning in Dogs
You can start to witness GI symptoms at first, those being vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea.
Vomiting can happen several times throughout the day as your Dog's body tries to remove the toxins.
Next up, Diarrhoea indicates that the damage has been done, you can experience this several hours after your Dog ate a grapefruit, and it can only damage further. If it's at the peak, the Dog might start to exhibit signs of dehydration.
And it goes further...
Your Dog will become sensitive to sunlight and will start to develop skin lesions.
In serious cases, they may not be able to stand and walk, you can notice bald spots, red patches in the skin.
What Can You Do If Your Dog Eats Grapefruits?
Make sure you take him to the nearest VET as soon as possible, any delay can further increase the toxicity.
The treatment depends completely on the symptoms that your Dog is experiencing.
If the incident didn't take place that long ago then the VET will induce vomiting, this will help to remove every toxin inside before getting absorbed.
However, if many hours have passed since the incident took place and in case the previous method failed to work, then the VET might introduce activated charcoal into your Dog's system. This will help greatly in binding and neutralizing the toxin of the Grapefruit before your Dog's body absorbs it.
Also if your Dog is vomiting constantly, then an antiemetic will be provided to stop it.
If the Dog's experiencing dehydration and if vomiting and diarrhea is a concern, the VET might insert intravenous fluid therapies.
For Skin Lesions, a cream or medical ointment will be prescribed by the VET to apply in the affected areas.
And finally, if the Dog's experiencing photosensitivity, you might need to keep him away from sunlight until the toxin has completely exited his body system.
Are There Any Citrus Fruits Dogs Can Eat?
YES, indeed!
Not every citrus-based fruit is acidic to the dogs, there are some citrus fruits that any dog can consume, and if your Dog's not interested in the fruits, you should not force them to eat; also, make sure to feed them in moderation.
Before you feed him the fruits, keep in mind that these fruits are just treats, make sure to keep the 10% rule in mind. "Treat is no more than 10% of the daily diet."
Anyways, here are some citrus fruits that a dog can eat:
If your Dog likes the fruit and if the fruit does not cause him any digestion problems, you can add it to his diet.
Conclusion
Now you might have a clear idea of what happens if you feed Grapefruit to your Dog. As you can see, it is not a very good idea. So be absolutely careful and always keep an eye on your Dog as he might try to eat toxic foods without you knowing.
