Knowing what your four-legged friend can consume is genuinely important if you’re a dog owner or are planning to adopt one in the coming weeks. While dogs can eat some of the same foods humans eat regularly, not everything is safe for them, and some items are considered toxic. For example, you may have asked, “Can dogs eat grapefruit?” It’s a common question dog owners have, especially those who usually eat grapefruit themselves and may have it sitting in a fruit basket on the kitchen table. However, grapefruit isn’t ideal for dogs for several reasons.
Is Grapefruit Safe for Dogs to Eat?
If you’ve been asking, “Can dogs have grapefruit?,” it helps to know that grapefruit isn’t the best fruit for dogs to consume for several reasons. One of the worst parts about grapefruit for dogs is the rind, also known as the fruit’s skin. The rind is incredibly toxic to dogs and can cause life-threatening illnesses you’ll want to avoid when feeding your furry friend.
Unfortunately, the components that make up the skin of the grapefruit put dogs at risk of sickness, including the specific psoralens and essential oils in it. Because consuming the rind is so dangerous for dogs of all breeds and sizes, it helps to keep your grapefruit out of reach of your pets. If you’d typically keep the fruit in a basket on the table, consider getting a hanging basket that would enable you to keep the fruit out of reach so that you can still enjoy it without worrying about your dog(s) getting into it.
Can Dogs Have Red Grapefruit?
If you’re a fruit lover, you likely already know that there are several different types of grapefruit regularly sold at fruit stands and grocery stores, including the red grapefruit.
However, while the color and taste may differ from one kind of grapefruit to the next, the red grapefruit isn’t safe for dogs to consume because of its rind.
Can Dogs Have White Grapefruit?
Sadly, the same thing goes for white grapefruit. You should never assume that grapefruit is safe for your dogs to consume. No matter what kind of grapefruit you’ve purchased, you’ll need to keep it out of reach of your four-legged friend to protect the animal from potentially consuming the rind and experiencing the symptoms of consuming something toxic and downright harmful to the animal’s digestive system.
Is It Safe for Dogs to Eat the Flesh of the Grapefruit Instead of the Skin?
While the rind or skin of the grapefruit is most problematic, that doesn’t mean it’s safe to give your dog the flesh of the grapefruit. Unfortunately, there is a misconception amongst some pet owners that grapefruit is fine to give to their dogs as long as they’ve removed every inch of the rind, but that isn’t the case. Although the flesh of the grapefruit isn’t nearly as toxic as the rind, which can cause much more harm, it can still cause digestive issues for your dog that are worth avoiding.
What to Expect When a Dog Eats the Flesh of a Grapefruit
Grapefruit has a naturally bitter taste that most dogs won’t enjoy in the first place, so your pet is less likely to attempt to eat it, compared to the temptation that a box of pizza or cookies left out on the table would present. However, it would help if you still took preventive measures to keep the fruit away from your furry friend.
If your dog eats the flesh of a grapefruit, the acidity of such a citrus fruit can cause digestive issues. Your dog may experience some or all of the following symptoms:
If your dog got into the grapefruit and ate the flesh without any of the skin, you’ll need to look for these signs and symptoms. Don’t be surprised if your dog begins to exhibit behavior to show it is not feeling well. Most dogs will end up resting somewhere before vomiting or having bouts of diarrhea, some of which may be uncontrollable. If this does happen, be patient with your pooch! You can also call the veterinarian to explain the situation and find out if there are any steps you should take to help your dog overcome the pain and discomfort they’re experiencing from eating grapefruit flesh.
What Happens When a Dog Eats Grapefruit?
When a dog bites into a grapefruit, rind and all, it’s an entirely different story. Although the flesh of the grapefruit can cause stomach problems for the pup, that will typically only last a few hours and up to a few days. However, if your dog eats even the smallest amount of the rind, it’s an immediate cause for concern that requires contacting the veterinarian immediately.
The reason you need to take immediate action is because of the many symptoms that can occur as a direct result of your dog consuming the rind, such as:
Kidney dysfunction
Lethargy
Difficulty swallowing
Excessive vomiting
Severe stomach pain
Not taking your dog to an emergency veterinarian could potentially put the animal’s life at risk. Instead, it’s best to play it safe by contacting the veterinarian by phone and finding out if you’ll need to bring the animal in for treatment.
In most cases, the veterinarian will take steps to induce vomiting so that your four-legged friend doesn’t continue to digest something so toxic for them. It’s often hard to watch this process because it can cause discomfort, but it’s a technique that works best to remove the grapefruit peel from the digestive tract so that your dog won’t continue to suffer from eating it. Your veterinarian may not require a visit to the office and may tell you the simple steps to take to induce vomiting in your dog at home to make the process a bit less stressful for the pup.
What Different Fruits Can Your Dog Eat?
While it’s best to keep grapefruit far away from your dog, there are several nutrient-rich fruits your pup can safely eat and enjoy. Not sure what to provide your pet with as a sweet and fresh treat? These are a few safe options to consider:
Bananas – Bananas are a soft, sweet fruit that dogs enjoy best when they’re fresh and ripe. They’re full of vitamins and nutrients that can leave your pup with a beautiful, healthy coat that shines bright.
Papaya – If you want to help boost your dog’s immune system, papaya is an excellent fruit worth serving. It’s full of numerous vitamins, much like kiwis, and is one of the more affordable fruits in grocery stores.
Apples – Fresh apple slices are another great treat for dogs. You can serve them as is or dip them in a bit of peanut butter, which most dogs enjoy. You can provide your dog with any type of apple, whether it’s Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or any other kind you can find at the store. Apples contain plenty of vitamins and antioxidants, making them such a healthy treat.
Cherries – You can give your dog cherries, but you’ll need to remove the pit from them beforehand for safety purposes. Cherries contain lots of vitamins and nutrients and are an excellent source of antioxidants, so it’s worth de-pitting them to serve them to your dog as a quick, sweet treat. Sure, it might take a few extra minutes, but your dog will love them.
Dates – Another great fruit for the immune system, dates are an excellent treat for dogs. Dates are a great source of fiber and contain both vitamins and potassium, making them a super good choice.
Watermelon – Watermelon has high water content, which makes it great for keeping your dog hydrated on a hot day or after an exerting activity. Just remove the seeds first!
Mango – Dogs will love the exotic taste of this rich and delicious fruit. You’ll love the nutrients it provides and the fact that you can dehydrate it to last even longer! Ensure that the peel is cut away and your dog doesn’t get ahold of the pit to prevent choking.
Peaches – Peaches are full of vitamins and dietary fiber. They encourage a healthy digestive system and a lustrous coat. However, the pit, leaves, stem, and tree roots are toxic, so keep your pup far away from those parts of the plant.
Nectarines – Nectarines are a great fruit to use as a treat for your furry friend. Carefully throw away the pits, as these have cyanide, which is toxic. However, the fleshy meat of a nectarine is great for them!
There are other fruits as well which are safe for your dog such as blueberries, oranges, cantaloupe, guava, kiwi, pears, apricots, etc. With dog-friendly options like these, you’ll have more than enough fruit for your pup to enjoy on special occasions.
Dogs can eat sweet potatoes and many other vegetables instead.
