Are Grapes Bad for Dogs

Dogs are famous for some unique qualities like loyalty, friendly nature and courage. There is another good quality in them which is not noticed by all, that is their not-so-choosy nature. Whichever food you try to feed your dog, it will willingly eat it. This fact is good for the dog owners, but it can prove fatal to the dog. So it is completely the responsibility of the owners to feed the dog the appropriate food.

So, what is appropriate food for dog? Well, just like humans, dogs should also have a balanced diet. They need proportionate amounts of fiber, protein and fat. So foods containing the above nutrients like, chicken, tomatoes, rice, carrot, turkey etc. are appropriate. Some canned foods contain only one nutrient, in excess, which can prove harmful to the dog. So do remember to read the contents of the packed food or better, make home cooked dog food. Is grapes one of the appropriate foods? Can dogs eat grapes?

Are Grapes Bad for Dogs?
Cats are very choosy pets, they won't eat whatever you give them. But dogs do not have personal likes and dislikes when it comes to food, they trust their master completely in this matter also. Dog owners are very cautious about feeding the dog, when it is a new pet. However after some days cautiousness is replaced with carelessness! Not because the owners don't know anything about dog care but because the dog eats whatever it is given. But this can prove hazardous for dog health. One such food, fruit actually, which can prove fatal to your beloved pet is, grapes. Are grapes bad for dogs to eat? Yes, they are definitely bad for all types of dogs!

Why are Grapes Bad for Dogs to Eat?
Dogs showed symptoms like renal failure (kidney failure) and incapability in passing urine after eating grapes. So it is said that grapes are toxic to dogs. How they are toxic is not known, however based on the symptoms, some conclusions are drawn. One of the symptom is that dogs are unable to urinate, and one of the cause of disability in passing urine can be non-filtration of toxins that the grapes contain. ASPCA, Animal Poison Control Center has also advised people not to feed grapes to dogs as in one of their case studies, 140 dogs who ingested grapes were studied and that case study had shocking results. Out of those 140 dogs, almost 47 dogs were affected by the grapes and showed symptoms like food poisoning and some very serious symptoms like kidney failure! Not only this, seven dogs out of the one forty dogs died. So are grapes poisonous to dogs? Well, unfortunately they are.

Another theory of why grapes are harmful for dogs is as follows; it is well known that grapes contain high amounts of sugar. Sugar is required by the body to produce energy, by humans as well as dogs. This sugar is produced by processing the food we eat, so if extra sugar is added to a dog's diet (through grapes or other high sugar content food) it's body cannot process it naturally and so it produces insulin. But when there is too much of sugar in the body, too much of insulin is produced. What's the end result? The dog's body stops responding to the insulin! Which might lead to many serious dog illnesses.

Grape Toxicity in Dogs - Symptoms
If large amounts of grapes are ingested by the dog, symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting are immediately seen. Abdominal pain is also observed. The feces of the dog will contain undigested grapes and it will be unable to pass urine. Some behavioral changes are also observed. The dog will become hyperactive and agitated, signs of discomfort will be clearly seen.

Grape Toxicity - Treatment
Rush to your vet as soon as the symptoms are seen. Besides that, induce vomiting in dog. Activated charcoal will absorb the toxins in the dog's body, so it should be given to the dog. The vet will keep the dog on intravenous fluid therapy for two days by which the risks of renal failure will be prevented.

Relation of green grapes and dogs is the same as red grapes for dogs, both the grapes will have the same effect on the dog. So the best option is to ban grapes from dog's diet and never encounter the question, are grapes bad for dogs?