Can Dogs Eat Grapes?
Dogs are not known for being fussy eaters. They are also omnivores rather than carnivores, which means that they will eat fruit and vegetables in addition to meat, although they should still be given plenty of protein in their diet. Despite that, there are still some foods that dogs should not be given to eat, and grapes is one of them.
We are not sure exactly why yet, but grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs. Some dogs affected more or less than others, and for some, the situation can be literally life threatening. So, remember to keep grapes and raisins well away from your pooch and look out for these symptoms if you think they have eaten some.
1. Vomiting and/or Diarrhea
It is not unusual for dogs to vomit or develop stomach problems. Throwing up might be down to them eating grass, for example, which is something that many dogs do for self-medication. Many dogs also have fairly sensitive stomachs and even just changing their brand of food can cause diarrhea. If your dog is vomiting excessively and/or has severe diarrhea, however, then it could be down to something potentially serious like grape toxicity. If you see pieces of grapes or raisins in their feces or vomit, it is a clear sign that you should get them to a veterinarian straight away.
2. Abdomen Pain
This one can be pretty difficult to identify in a dog. After all, it is not as though your dog is able to tell you where they are hurting. Regardless, if your dog does appear to be moving gingerly or if they are crying a lot then it could be a sign that they are in considerable pain.
If your dog is in pain then try observing them closely to try and see what the problem is. You can also try touching them to try and identify where the problem is, but you should be careful when you are doing this.
3. Loss Of Appetite
Dogs are well known for their willingness to eat just about anything that you give to them. They are even often happy to eat straight out of the trash and, to them, it had might as well be a gourmet meal. With this in mind, your dog might have a problem if they have appeared to have lost their appetite.
If you do notice that your dog is leaving food in their bowl, then you should make sure to keep an eye on them. In cases of grape toxicity, there is not enough time to wait to see if they recover their appetite. You should also look out for other symptoms and consider taking your pooch to a vet if you recognize some.
4. Lethargy
One thing that we just love about a lot of dog breeds is that they have seemingly endless energy. They just love to run and love to get involved with whatever is going on. This makes them a lot of fun to be around, even if it does mean that they need a lot of exercise to keep them in good shape.
Dogs are just like people, however, in that they will begin to slow down as they get older. They can also become lethargic if they are not well. If your pooch does appear to be listless and not interested in taking part in activities, it is something that you should pay attention to.
5. Dehydration
It is important for all animals to remain hydrated and dogs are no exception. Dehydration can lead to some rather unpleasant symptoms and can even be a threat to any animal’s life so it is something that should be taken seriously. You should make sure that your dog always has access to clean, fresh water but they can still become dehydrated if they fall ill.
Signs of dehydration in dogs include gums that are dry and sticky, a dry nose, and sunken eyes. They might also be panting and you might also notice that their skin has lost its elasticity. If you do notice these symptoms then make sure your dog has some water, and consider seeing a vet if a lack if they had access to water all along.
6. Urinating Little
All dogs need to be let out in the yard from time to time to relieve themselves, whereas some toy dogs might even have a litter tray if staying in an apartment. Either way, you are likely to notice when your dog is urinating and they might also urinate in places you really don’t want them to.
Oliguria is a condition in which an animal will pass only a small amount of urine. This can be difficult to spot. After all, it is not as though we pay close attention to how the volume of urine our dogs are passing. Anuria might be more noticeable, though, which means that they stop passing urine altogether.
7. Foul Breath
Dogs aren’t known for having fresh breath. They have a tendency of eating food that leads to bad breath and dogs are not generally known to have good oral hygiene habits. If you would like to freshen up your dog’s breath then you can find specialized chew toys or even canine toothpaste.
If your dog’s breath is particularly foul, however, then it could be a sign that there is something wrong. If you do notice this then you should also look for other symptoms that might indicate grape poisoning or another problem. If you do suspect grape poisoning then get them to a veterinarian as soon as you can.
8. Oral Ulcers
Ulcers are basically open lesions in our flesh. They can be located just about anywhere in the body and other animals, including dogs, can get them just as we do. Mouth ulcers in particular are fairly common and they are often a sign that we are run down and perhaps in need of a rest.
If you notice oral ulcers in your dog, it might be a sign of grape poisoning. This is not necessarily the case but spotting other symptoms of the condition will help you to get a better idea of what is causing them. If you are unsure either way then you should make sure to get professional help to be on the safe side.
9. Tremors
While you might find your dog shivers when it’s cold, and they are also known to tremble when they are afraid, it is not generally a good sign if your dog has tremors. If your dog is trembling and you have no explanation, then you really should consider getting help from a professional.
A similar but even more alarming symptom is seizures, and your dog may go into full bodily convulsions. Convulsions are a clear sign that your pooch is in trouble and needs immediate medical assistance. You should also make sure that they cannot hurt themselves while they are convulsing.
10. Coma
Dogs can experience comas just as people can and, just as with people, it is a very serious condition. If you do find your dog completely unresponsive then you should waste no time in getting emergency medical assistance for them. While a coma is a serious condition, it does not necessarily mean that they will die, provided they get the right treatment.
Even if they do come out of a coma, however, that does not mean to say they will make a full recovery. Depending on their condition if they do come out of a coma, euthanasia might be the best option for them.
