Grapes are arguably the most stylish snack there is. An image of a Roman resting on a chaise lounge lavishly dropping them into their mouth, one by one, comes to mind.
Dog owners, though, should keep grapes away from their pets at all costs. Tina Holscher, a vet with German animal rights organisation Aktion Tier, doesn’t beat around the bush: “Eating grapes can quickly cost a dog their life,” she says.
The seeds and skins of grapes, in particular, contain substances that can impair a dog’s kidney and liver function.
Unlike with some other foods, even small amounts of grapes are potentially harmful for a dog. As little as 10g per kilogramme of body weight can be poisonous.
Initial signs that your dog has been intoxicated after sneaking some grapes include symptoms like diarrhoea or a refusal to eat.
If you suspect your dog has eaten grapes, take them to a vet as soon as possible. As long as the fruit hasn’t been digested, they can be made to vomit them up. A vet can also give an infusion to support the animal’s kidney function.
Raisins, or dried grapes, as well as currants and sultanas are potentially poisonous for dogs too – sometimes even more so than the fresh fruit, British pet charity PDSA warns. Symptoms vary from dog to dog, according to the charity.
However, “it’s impossible to know whether a dog will be severely affected or not, even if they have eaten the fruit before without issues,” the experts caution.
The charity also notes that poisoning from grapes seems to be most pronounced “around festive times, when the fruits are readily available in foods such as Christmas cake, hot cross buns, cookies and chocolate”.
So next time you want to share some granola bar or scone with your furry friend, think twice. – dpa
