The Most Poisonous Fruit For Dogs

Every responsible pet owner has to ask themselves some form of the question, "What are the different ways I could possibly poison my furry friend?"

It's disturbing to think about, but also crucial to avoid tragic accidents. If you have, for example, a dog that you want to keep alive, you've got to make sure it doesn't chow down on human foods that its body can't handle.

One of the most well-known toxic treats is chocolate, whose caffeine and theobromine are potentially fatal to canines. But even something healthy-sounding like fruit could lead to your dog's death.

As natural-born carnivores, dogs have no dietary need for fruit. The occasional fruit is okay in some cases, but there are certain fruits that are altogether deadly. For instance, cherries contain cyanide, which can inhibit a dog's breathing. In fact, cyanide can be a hidden hazard even in fruits that are generally considered safe for dogs, such as peaches, pears, and mangoes. While the fruit itself doesn't pose a threat in these three cases, the seeds and pits contain cyanide and thus should be completely removed. Avocados are another no-no, as they're packed with persin, a toxin which induces vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.

While no toxic fruit belongs in a dog's mouth, the American Kennel Club makes a point of saying that grapes are one fruit dogs should absolutely never eat. Grapes, and their wrinkly counterparts, raisins, appear to be extremely toxic and may cause kidney failure in dogs regardless of breed or age.

But exactly why these toxic reactions occur is unclear. Further complicating matters is the fact that grapes affect individual dogs in dramatically different ways. A 2016 study in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science notes that some dogs become ill after consuming just a handful of grapes while others seem unfazed after eating a whole kilogram.

Moreover, scones, mince pies, fruit cakes, and other baked goods that contain grape products can also poison your furry friend. Even the residue from grape pressing can do serious harm. A physician at Greenbrier Emergency Animal Hospital observed that some dogs that initially seem immune to grape toxicity have later become ill after eating grapes or raisins in future instances. So even if your pet appears to have an iron stomach at first, that tolerance might have an unknown expiration date.

Regardless of how many grapes your dog eats, it's crucial that they receive medical treatment within the first 72 hours, according to veterinarian Renee Very. In 2007, Very saved the life of a 16-pound border terrier named Casey that ate a one-and-a-half-ounce box of raisins. Despite being rushed to the vet within 18 hours of downing the raisins, Casey was already experiencing acute renal failure. She needed two days and two nights of emergency care. Five days after the incident, she still hadn't fully recovered.

Between 2003 and 2004, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center received 140 calls from people whose dogs consumed grapes or raisins. Fifty of them fell ill, and seven died. In 2016, the center received 3,722 calls related to grape or raisin consumption. Based on the data from that year, the ASPCA determined that human foods such as grapes were the third most common toxins consumed by dogs.

While not every dog reacts the same way to consuming this particular fruit, PetMD provides a list of symptoms that may indicate grape or raisin poisoning. They include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, seizures, weakness, trembling, a lack of urination, mouth ulcers, and bad breath. Time is of the essence, so it's important to contact a professional immediately if something seems awry. A veterinarian might recommend that you induce vomiting, but if your dog seems unable to breath or exhibits symptoms of shock, then inducing vomiting isn't a good idea.

In general, the best way to protect your furry friend is to feed it foods specifically designed for canine consumption. So no matter how much your pooches try to guilt you with their adorable puppy-dog eyes, resist the temptation to feed them chocolate-covered raisins like your life depends on it, because their life absolutely does.

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