I love my dogs. From playing games to sleeping on the couch next to them, they are always constantly by my side when I'm home. Being pet owner, you have to make sure that the food you eat is not harmful For them. That said, many people will think of all the times they've given their pet food under the table, when they gave them those "puppy dog ​​eyes" and it's hard to resist sharing the plate.
Harmful dog food
Once, after throwing a grape on the ground, my aunt scolded me and warned me to Grapes can cause serious kidney damage to the dogs. I had never imagined that this fruit, which is so healthy for humans, would be so harmful to dogsThat comment sparked further investigation, revealing that it's not just a myth, but a very serious health issue. While some suggest grapes can cause kidney stones, the clinical evidence gathered primarily points to... acute renal failure as the most serious documented risk.
Grapes are beneficial to humans, as They contain many vitamins and minerals...in addition to fiber. They are even beneficial for preventing heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes, since grapes contain flavonoidsThese foods help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, just because a food is healthy for us doesn't mean it's healthy for our dogs.
Having said that, grape toxicity can be deadly to dogsas it can lead to something as extreme as acute renal failureThe most worrying thing is that There is no safe dose.Some dogs develop serious problems after ingesting even a minimal amount, even just a grape or a raisin.
Less life-threatening symptoms that arise when dogs consume grapes include:
- Vomiting (often appear a few hours after ingestion).
- Diarrhea with soft or watery stools.
- Lack of appetite or refusal of usual food.
- Weakness or lethargy, the dog appears listless and unwilling to move.
- Abdominal pain which may manifest itself with groans or a hunched posture.
- Dehydration, sometimes accompanied by more urination than normal at the beginning and then a decrease.
- In the most serious cases, death of the animal due to kidney failure.
Between clinical studies and statistics compiled by veterinary toxicology centers, it has been observed that grapes can cause acute gastrointestinal disease and kidney toxicosisIn many of the documented cases, the dogs had ingested an amount that at first glance might be considered small for their size, reinforcing the idea that there is no truly safe threshold.
For misfortune, he biological mechanism of intoxication It is very difficult to determine completely, but several hypotheses have been put forward about what might cause kidney damage in dogs. Some professionals point to... tartaric acidA component present in grapes and other fruits is a possible cause of the toxicity, although it is still being studied. What is clear is that both fresh grapes and raisins can trigger the problem.
Below is a list of possible toxicants or contributing factors that have been considered:
- Nephrotoxin in grapes and raisins which would directly affect the kidneys.
- Fungicides, herbicides, pesticides or external contamination of the grapes that could increase toxicity.
- Heavy metal pollution present in some crops.
- High concentrations of vitamin D in certain lots or varieties.
- Fungus or mold on the fruit that generates additional harmful substances.
- Tartaric acid and its salts, increasingly identified as a potential toxic component for dogs.
A widely cited statistic indicates that Between 50% and 75% of affected dogs die from kidney failure as a result of eating grapes or raisins, especially when veterinary treatment is not administered early. This high mortality rate means that any ingestion should be considered a veterinary emergency.
50% to 75% of dogs die from kidney failure
Further studies have concluded that the relationship between grape consumption and kidney failure is apparently not coincidental, as it has been estimated that from 10 grams to 57 grams of grapes consumed per kilogram of body weight can cause kidney failure in dogs. Other technical sources place the average toxic dose at around 32 grams of fresh grapes per kilo y 10 grams of raisins per kilobecause raisins concentrate the toxic substance more.
However, it is crucial to understand that There is no exact amount that can be considered safe.Some dogs develop signs of poisoning with less than the theoretically toxic amount, while others may ingest more and show milder symptoms. This individual variability means the recommendation is always the same: Avoid grapes and raisins altogether.
Once again, the toxic mechanism that causes these severe reactions is a mystery, as it seems that after consuming grapes, Kidney failure appears between 24 and 72 hours, suffering symptoms such as vomiting and dehydration which become more frequent as early as 2 to 6 hours after consumption. Some dogs may also show tremors, incoordination, or extreme apathy as the kidney stops functioning properly.
Veterinary toxicology specialists recommend going to the vet even if the dog He has only eaten one grape or one raisin Even if no symptoms have yet appeared, the veterinarian will assess the situation, the approximate amount ingested, the dog's weight, and decide whether it is necessary to induce vomiting in a controlled manner, administer activated charcoal, intravenous fluids, or monitor kidney function during the following hours or days.
If you don't know how many grapes your dog has eaten, it's essential try to find out the amount counting how many were on the plate or in the bunch, picking up the remains from the ground and, above all, calling the vet immediatelyInducing vomiting at home without professional guidance is not recommended, as it could be dangerous, especially if unsuitable home remedies are used.
For example, a small study was published between 1999 and 2001 in which 10 dogs were given large quantities of grapes; as a result, the animals developed acute gastrointestinal disease and kidney toxicosisThis and other cases helped to alert the veterinary community to the problem and motivated further, more extensive studies.
The first cases of acute kidney failure linked to grapes and raisins caught the attention of animal poison control centers such as the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). From there, more reports were compiled and systematic studies were carried out to better understand the scope of this problem.
One of these studies reviewed the data from 43 dogs with a clear history of ingesting grapes and/or raisinsOf these, 28 dogs ate raisins, 13 dogs ate regular grapes, and 2 dogs ate both. The average amount of grapes ingested was approximately 448 g, and the average amount of raisins ingested was 19,6 g/kg of body weight. Of the 43 dogs that ingested raisins and/or regular grapes, 23 survived and recovered, while 15 were euthanized and 5 died due to the advanced stage of kidney failure.
Grapes are toxic to dogs
In short, the signs point to the fact that grapes are terrible for dogsBoth fresh grapes and raisins and other derivatives (raisin breads, cookies, pastries, energy bars, etc.) represent a real risk of acute kidney failureThe toxic mechanism of why grapes are so dangerous has not yet been fully discovered, but there is reason to believe that the correlation between grapes and dogs is causal due to the results of multiple studies and clinical cases.
From now on it is very important that you place in places far away from your dogs and well isolated This type of food. Keep a close eye on the kitchen, the dining table, and shopping bags, as many dogs are adept at opening packages or climbing to high places. Also, remember not feeding your dogs the food you eatbecause this type of food can often be harmful to them without you knowing it.
To prevent accidental ingestion of grapes and raisins, it is advisable to follow some basic recommendations:
- Keep grapes and raisins out of reach in closed cupboards or in the refrigerator.
- Be careful with foods that contain raisins., such as breads, ring-shaped cakes, cookies or nut mixes.
- Inform the whole family, especially to children and people who do not usually live with the dog, about this danger.
- Monitor the walks to prevent the dog from eating food scraps from the ground, as it may find fallen grapes in vineyard areas or parks.
If your dog has suffered grape poisoning in the past and recovered, your veterinarian will probably recommend take special care of your kidneys long-term. This may include regular blood and urine tests, a specific renal diet, and very strict control of all foods consumed.
The good news is that dogs can enjoy other safe fruits in small amounts and always as an occasional treat, never as the basis of their diet. Some common and safer options are: seedless apple, seedless pear, melon o seedless watermelonAmong other things, although it is always advisable to consult with the veterinarian first, especially if the animal suffers from any pre-existing illness.
Prevent your dog from eating sweets in general, as sugars and additives Many baked goods can cause intestinal problems, pain, weight gain, and even other forms of poisoning (for example, xylitol in some chewing gum and candies is extremely toxic). If you have any doubts about whether a food is safe for human consumption, the wisest course of action is not to offer it and to consult a professional.
Becoming aware that the grapes are toxic to dogs And knowing that there is no safe amount, not even a single grape, will allow you to act quickly if an oversight occurs and, above all, adapt your daily routine so that your furry companion is always protected.