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Do not feed dogs grapes

Submitted by Sandie Pellerin

Do not feed dogs grapes. It will kill them.

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My own dog loves grapes... Comments By: Renee So I found this "tip" very alarming, but not wanting to take any chances, I confirmed the info for myself. This is a bit of what I found out: Why are grapes harmful? As far as grapes and raisins go, no one is sure why they're harmful. It's been confirmed that even grapes grown without fertilizers or pesticides can be toxic to dogs. But not to every dog, and not every time. It's also not known whether small amounts eaten over a long time period could have a cumulative effect. What we do know is that the end result in nearly all reported cases of grape or raisin toxicity is acute kidney failure. (The term "acute" means that the condition is severe and comes on quickly.) The dog ultimately can't produce urine, which means they can't filter toxins out of their systems -- a process essential to life. During the twelve-month period in which the effects of grapes were studied, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled 140 cases involving one or more dogs. Over a third of the dogs developed symptoms ranging from vomiting to kidney failure, and seven dogs died. The ASPCA based their study on reported cases, so naturally there may be cases where a dogs health is entirely unaffected by eating grapes. But until they know all the facts, the Society advises against feeding pets grapes or raisins in any amount. An ounce of prevention... So, your dog just scored himself a big box of raisins or some Valentines chocolates. What's a pet owner to do? The first line of defense, if the grapes or raisins were eaten recently, is to induce vomiting and administer activated charcoal (it absorbs toxins in the GI tract). Vomiting is also the first sign that your dog is in trouble, so skip right to the activated charcoal if vomiting has already occurred. (In a pinch you can make your own activated charcoal by burning a piece of toast until it's charred and crumbles easily.) Then call your vet right away. The vet will keep your dog on intravenous fluids for at least 48 hours and monitor blood chemistry daily. Normal blood work after 3 days usually means your dog is in the clear. Keeping a watchful eye out, of course, is the best way to keep your pet out of trouble. Like children, dogs (and other pets) have a knack for getting into mischief when we're not looking. It's Not Just the Grapes There are other foods your dog should be kept away from, and some of them may surprise you: Chocolate Who can resist chocolate? Like it your not, your dog. Chocolate is made with cocoa beans and cocoa beans contain a chemical called Theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. So on Valentine's Day, you're actually being kind to your best buddy if you eat all the chocolates yourself! Cocoa Mulch Mulch isn't food, but there's one type tempting enough for dogs to eat. Cocoa bean shells are a by-product of chocolate production (which is how mulch made it into the "foods" category) and are popular as mulch for landscaping. Homeowners like the attractive color and scent, and the fact that the mulch breaks down into an organic fertilizer. The coca bean shells can contain from 0.2% to 3% theobromine (the toxin ) as compaired to 1-4% in unprocessed beans. Fatty foods Fatty foods are hard for a dog to digest and can can overtax the pancreas, leading to pancreatitis. This can threaten your dogs health and is potentially fatal. Nuts Macadamia nuts should be avoided. In fact most nuts are not good for the dogs health since their high phosporus content is said to lead to bladder stones. Onions Onions, and especially raw onions, have been shown to trigger hemolytic anemia in dogs. (Stephen J Ettinger, D.V.M and Edward C. Fieldman, D.V.M. 's book: Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine vol. 2 pg 1884.) Stay away from onion powder too. Potatos Potato poisonings among people and dogs are rare but have occurred. The toxin, solanine, is poorly absorbed and is only found in green sprouts (these occur in tubers exposed to sunlight) and green potato skins. This explains why incidents seldom occur. Note that cooked, mashed potatoes are fine for a dogs health, actually quite nutritious and digestible. Artificial Sweeteners iXylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, especially sugarless gum and candies. Ingesting large amounts of products sweetened with xylitol may cause a sudden drop in blood sugar in dogs, resulting depression, loss of coordination, and seizures. According to Dr. Eric K. Dunayer, a consulting veterinarian in clinical toxicology for the poison control center, "These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product" states Dr. Dunayer, "...therefore, it is important that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately." Turkey Turkey skin is currently thought to cause acute pancreatis in dogs, partly due to it's high fat content. Here are the rest of the foods listed by the ASPCA as harmful: Alcoholic beverages Avocado (the only "fatty" member of the vegetable family) Coffee (all forms of coffee) Moldy or spoiled foods Salt Yeast dough Garlic The Bottom Line Thanks to a more educated public, fewer fatalities from foods like chocolate are being reported these days. But it's important to keep up with what's currently known about foods and their effects on dogs health. Grapes and cocoa mulch, for example, were only discovered very recently to have harmful effects.   Are you sure? Comments By: Rachel It's well known that chocolate is very bad for dogs, but I've never heard of grapes being bad. Do you have any experience or research to back this up?   I don't think so... Comments By: Tina ...my dog love's fruit. Grapes are her favorite and she's 14 yrs old.   grapes kill dogs? Comments By: arthur pena how exactly does grapes kill dogs? Tipking says: My dog loves grapes. I do wonder if there is any truth to this.   deadly? Comments By: Meshy If anyone knows more about this....grapes deadly for dogs..?? My little dog loves grapes...she in no way gets an overabundance of them, but she sure has to have her share....and has had for over 4 years.   YES it is true. Look it up Comments By: Anon Look at the ASPCA poison control center. Dogs have died from grapes and raisins. They can cause kidney failure. Just because people can eat it does not mean animals can. It seems to bother some and not others....so why take that chance?   The Vet said it. Comments By: The Beck The vet told me that the one food never to give dogs is grapes/raisins due to causing kidney failure.   Grapes - no problem... Comments By: Beverly I don't know where you got this information, but I have a grape arbor more than 30 ft. long at my house, with 4 kinds of grapes. My dog (black lab and setter mix) loves fruit of any kind. She eats the grapes on the bottom 3 feet of the vines. And, never even been sick from them.   grapes and dogs Comments By: John My understanding is that grapes or raisins in very high amounts (like eating a large box of raisins) can cause kidney failure. No need to be alarmist about giving the pooch grapes occasionally.   Incorrect Comments By: Marie I asked my veterinarian about this and she told me that grapes actually help with digestion in dogs. Smaller dogs shouldn't eat large amounts of raisins because of the harmful preservatives that they contain.   grape-lover Comments By: Dani My dog, (a cocker spaniel, who turns 11 this month) has been fed grapes since she was a pup. The only problem that's ever come up is the fact that we have to peel the skin off for her before she'll eat them.   grapes Comments By: kd my last dog ate grapes regularly and lived to be 16. My current dog is a very fit and healthy, 2 years old and also enjoys grapes!!!   Not all dogs! Comments By: vinze Maybe its like human cigarette smokers, some will die early of cancer, some will live till there 93 and still run a marathon! I know my pups had a few grapes but as now i know i wont take the risk to be honest   Please Be Careful Comments By: Shelley My small 8mth old terrier is currently on a drip in the vets because she ate a small bunch of grapes. She has shown no signs of illness as yet, but in the UK, vets are advised by the 'poisons bureau' to induce vomiting and administer fluids as a precaution whenever grapes or raisins are ingested. I had read somewhere that grapes were toxic, and I now know they can kill. Not all dogs are affected by the grape toxin - are you willing to take the risk??   Grapes-What about Sultanas? Comments By: Anon My dog eats a mix of shreddies and sultanas most mornings. He is a 5 year old trim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. However he does not like ordinary raisins, he much prefers the sultana variety!   Corn bad for Cats Comments By: Catsrus Corn will turn cat feaces into gasoline, this only happens in USA   deadley Comments By: jim i gave my rottweiler a few grapes acouple of months ago the very next day she was sick and refused all foods idid not connect this with feeding the grapes but over the weekend igave her some more and she had the same symptoms again but only worse irealise now that it must have been the grapes i induced her to vomit and gave her gaviscon which made her drink and be sick ialso gave charcoal which helped she did not pass urine for at least twelve hours my other two rottweilers are ok with grapes but i will not be giving them to any of my dogs   Trust the specialists... Comments By: Mr. Mister In response to the information that i have read, i will not ever ever ever feed my dogs grapes/raisin/sultana or any other foods listed. the reason is that i look at my dogs as my kids and i wouldnt feed my kids anything that a specialist prohibited...the same applies to my dogs. thanx for the info   grapes of wrath! Comments By: steve don't let your dog eat grapes. my little girl has been sneaking hers to my Boxer Erik from her high chair. The result? Borderline renal failure and thick, blood filled urine. I'm convinced there is a connection between the two. The Vet agrees.   what to do? Comments By: Sunmi my Bonnie (shepherd mix) is 15 years old and she loves catching grapes in mid air. i've fed her over 1000 grapes and she's completely healthy (except a little bit of osteoarthritis). her blood tests confirm her health too. But, I think I was lucky in the past and I do NOT want to risk losing her. I love my baby and if her health deteriorates by eating grapes, I would never forgive myself. From now on, I'll throw her other snacks in the air to catch!   DO NOT FEED DOGS GRAPES Comments By: Heather My dog(black lab, 6 months) is currently at the vet on a drip. It is a proven fact it can cause kidney damage, even death. She ate them off our vine. Hopefully we are lucky and caught it in time. At this point her levels are ok, but we don't know yet. Don't risk losing your baby.   yea Comments By: erica my aunt gives her dogs grapes all the time and guess what they are still alive!!   You IDIOTS! Grapes etc. are BAD Comments By: TG Veterinary Surgeon Im sorry, but you foolish people who have been given the facts and still refuse to accept them. Well done if you fed your dog grapes and it's fine. That may be that your specific dog has a genetic predisposition to prevent the necrosis of the kidney cells which causes the renal toxiticy, it may be that your dogs blood pressure is so high that the blood passes through the bowmans capsule without incidence, or it may be pure blind luck. Stop being idiots. Grapes, and other things mentioned here are bad for your dogs, as a side note so is acetominophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen. SO please take care of your animals, listen to us professionals, and stop feeding your animals things proven to be fatal! Think of it like this, would you knowingly feed your dog arsenic? No, so don't feed it another known poison.   Grapes for dogs Comments By: Paulene 12 years of feeding our dog 8 - 10 grapes a day ended up killing him of renal failure. He was so adept at catching them as we threw them to him, it just seemed like a fun thing to do - and he loved them - until he developed renal failure because of it.....   Listen to the pros you idiots. Comments By: Ron V My wife dropped some grapes on the floor and our 8 month old Lab ate some before she could pick them up. A few hours later the dog was throwing up, she threw up several times. Just google "dogs and grapes" and you will get many references to how grapes are toxic to dogs.   grapes & turkey & potatoes Comments By: twopuppies grapeseed extract is put into some dog food. why are grapes not good for dogs but grapeseed extract is okay? Turkey & potatoes are also put into dog food. if not good for dogs why is it put into dog food?   GRAPES AND GLOBAL WARMING Comments By: Carole from Texas I've read all the comments and came to the conclusion that feeding your dog grapes and global warming have a lot in common. There is just a certain percentage of the "I'm from Missouri" crowd that are not going to believe that it's harmful unless it's staring them right in the face. Pity the fools who can't learn from other people's experience.   True Comments By: Veterinary Surgeon Its true.. not every dog and not every time but why take the risk? Just because your dog has eaten a grape and not died doesn't mean another won't. I'm a vet and I've seen it happen. Don't take the risk!   Grapeseed - And Grapes Comments By: Dawn Walker I think you will find it is rapeseed or at least it is in the UK and it is very true grapes cause renal failure, my little jack russel bitch is in the ER overnight whilst she is being watched to see if there is any deteriation of her condition. I wasnt aware of this until today - My other JR dog and Mastiff pup love grapes - I guess they wont be having them again!   My dogs and grapes Comments By: BS I was eating grapes last night and I gave my terrier some and she loved them! Which is surprizing cos she's normaly very picky. I have her on a diet though and I think she's just hungry, also they are a very sweet variety. Anyway, I looked grapes and dogs up on the internet just to see if they were harmful and I'm glad I did. She wont be getting any more of them (only maybe an occasional treat of one). I also gave some to my Doberman yesterday, he had no problems. It must be just some dogs that grapes affect badly. Possibly to do with how healthy they are in the first place, for example a dog fed on a raw diet may not have any problems while a dog fed on a dry dog food may have weakened defences to grape poisoning. Just a thought.   Dogs and grapes - risk it if you dare Comments By: MrG You can risk it if you like, but last week my three dogs ate a bag of currants betrween them. On calling the vet for advice, they were taken in, given injections to induce vomiting and once the contents of their stomachs had been checked (lovely job!) the youngest, a six month old lab was kept in overnight on a drip as she'd eaten the most. Two bloodtests later we were lucky - no renal damage. Having owned dogs all my life I didn't know about the problems with grapes until I read an article in a shooting magazine two months ago. Otherwise, I could have lost one or more of my dogs.   Really? Comments By: Cam My dog just got 4 grapes. I hope he is Okay he is acting normal. I then looked it up. D= he won't be having anymore!   This is true but varies from dog to dog Comments By: Diane I have a 4 yr old boxer and a 6 month old boxer. They got into a bowl of grapes saturday and ate basically the whole medium sized mixing bowl full of them. I got them to the vet within an hour of it happening. After blood work and induced vomiting along with Charcoal I was able to bring them home. My 4 yr old is doing fine, she only ate a few. My puppy however ate most of them (around 30-40 grapes) and he is not ok. He does not care to drink any water now, he doesn't want to get off his bed, lethargic and sleepy. The good news is I have gotten him to eat the prescribed ID food from the vet, since it's canned he is getting some water. I had to take him back to the animal hospital this morning for more blood work and IV fluids. He is VERY sick. The vet did say that he thinks he will be okay but he is just spent from eating the grapes and from being so sick from them and the induced vomiting. The vet told me that he has seen as little as 12 grapes kill a medium sized dog. He said that it seems to affect varies dogs differantly and they really haven't figured out what is in them that causes this. He also said raisins are worse than grapes because they don't have the fluid content grapes do. Anyway, from personal experience I'm telling you do NOT feed your dog grapes, I don't care how old they are or how many they have eaten, one of these days it may be more than their bodies can handle. It's totally avoidable, don't let them have them. If it hasn't affected your dog, then your lucky, why continue to risk it.   Get the facts. Comments By: Kate The reason grapes are determined to be dangerous to dogs is because it contains arsenic. Now, not all grapes will have it and not all dogs will get sick from it. Arsenic is often used as a pesticide to protect grape vines from pests. If you think you are in the safe by simply washing grapes and then feeding them to your dog you are wrong! The reason aresenic isn't noticable by some dogs is because of different immune systems. Naturally, dewarming medicine contains small dose of arsenic to kill internal parasides. However, if overdose occures, it might result in liver failure. Considering how many variables go in identifying thether your dog is in the clear if he or she ingests some grapes I would simply stay away from it.   Don't feed your dog grapes!!!!! Comments By: Zoe I have a 4 month old Jack Russell who recently ate about 15 grapes (he managed to get on my kitchen table, seems impossible I know!) I had read on the internet not to give dogs grapes and with him being a puppy I was very worried! I rang the vet who told me to bring him in immediately they gave him something to make him sick and fortunately he brought them back up quite whole, I think the advice I could give anyone is don't risk giving your dog grapes, yours may be the one that does suffer from eating them and it's not worth it. I would have been devastated if my little dog had died from eating them. There are plenty of things you CAN give your dog without taking unneccessary risks.   My Dog Ate Comments By: Todd My dog ate 3 pounds of red grapes a few days ago.I was afraid he was going to die after reading all the web-warnings. He's a 70 pound black lab, and seems to have no illness from the meal. Has a dog ever really died from chocolate? I have heard this for forty years,and have known dogs that ate 2-5 pound boxes of See's candy and lived. I have also asked countless friends and family members. Send me a vet journal that scientifically proves death by chocolate. I think it is a myth.   Grape Diet Comments By: Beaglelover My Beagle literally ate grapes every day of his life since he was a puppy. And I'm talking dozens of grapes. We used to let him snack on grapes, apples and carrots. He was never really sick until he died at age 12 from a heart problem. He never had any kidney-related illness. Furthermore, none of his vetrinarians, when told about his diet, ever warned against feeding him anything other than chocolate (poison) and foods high in fat (dietary purposes).   Vomiting from Grapes Comments By: Schnauzer Owner My Miniature Schnauzer has eaten grapes twice, and both times she got really sick! Every time it lasts for at least a month, with vomiting, diarrhea, fever. Avoid feeding grapes to dogs, and teach children not to!   I fed my dog a grape Comments By: Andrew Bowker I fed my dog a grape about a year ago at my caravan but after reading all this i will never dream of doing it again. I love him and will never dream of doing it again.   please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Comments By: please i feed my dog grapes and raisons and chochlate er day!!! ans its as healthy as a chicken sand witch!!! with BBQ sauce!!!! Please!!!!......PLease!!!!!   oh for shizzle Comments By: micheal jackson kidding damn will 5 grapes kill a dog my dad gave him some organic grpaes by accident and will he die waaaaaaaaaaah oh yeah dogs can have chocolate its just a wives tale   Grapes: Deadly Toxins or A Delicious Treat? Both. Comments By: Awaken My opinion in this article would be to primarily not feed your dogs or pups grapes, raisins, or any other foods related to these. I agree that grapes are deadly to some dogs, but harmless to others. It just depends on your dog. Because this program has tested and discovered that grapes can cause kidney vulnerability and other failures in your dog's system, I'd say that you probably shouldn't feed them to your dog even though your dogs might love them or are just one of those dogs who aren't affected by grapes. But still, why risk the chance of seriously harming them?   Chocolate- Absolute Poison. Don't feed them. Comments By: Awaken Some people are saying that chocolate is harmless and are nothing to worry about. But really, chocolate is definitely a dangerous toxin. According to many reports, dogs have even died from just one bite of chocolate. Again, maybe it depends on your dog, but what I'm trying to say is no matter what, dogs will definitely be affected by the harms of chocolate to dogs, unlike grapes.   This has nothing to do with the questions people are asking or answers they are giving. Comments By: Concerned Animal lover Why are scientist testing on animals? its cruelty!!! I tell you. I mean, really, what if you were the dog or other animal? I am just expressing how I feel. I mean they test on humans, but the humans have a choice to be tested on or not. Animals don't. Even if you find out what is causing it, you are still killing the poor animals. I just love my dog,and I will never let her be used in a test. So if you have another view on this,pleas let me know what it is. Really, think about it. They have no choice like we do. So sorry if I wasted your time. just speaking my mind.   it's like this !!!! Comments By: keith lybbert I raised my dogs from birth on veggies and fruit,,, both are very old now , one 13 and the other nineteen... They both love veggies, and think if their bodies are raised with it. No harm, no foul.... keith   Is it worth the risk? Comments By: Kieron My dog has just come out of the vets after eating an 1/8th of a 10" fruitcake she should not have got hold of. IV fluids for 48 hours, activated charcoal and medication, at least she survived. Read: http://www.ukvet.co.uk/ukvet/articles/toxicology%20-%20raisins.pdf My vet was dubious until putting a call to the UK National Poisons Line.....owner beware.   It's the seeds Comments By: Joan My vet says the seeds in grapes contain arsenic. I don't know if he's right, but my very healthy lab eats seedless grapes right along with me.   How dumb are you people? Comments By: Tammie in Va Why would you take a chance and feed your dog grapes or raisins? You know that children get hit by cars if they continuously play on the highway.....So, would you like to increase your childs street play time, hoping you can beat the odds? Think people.....As a "parent" you SHOULD tell yourself its not safe! Does YOUR dog have to die or be very ill OR your child actually get hit by a car for you to understand? Perhaps your animal was one of the lucky ones.....But think of all the dogs who weren't. Ignorance is bliss.....But NOW you should be educated and apply your knowledge.   were wating to see if our dog will suvive Comments By: anon the dog ate grapes of the side late last night and all morning he has been down then started pooping blood and a lot of it!! then beeing sick hes at the vets now on a drip and getting treatment all we can do it wait see if he will come tho it, he never stole food off the side b4 eather! GRAPES CAN KILL DOGS PLEASE DONT LEAVE THEM ON THE SIDE OR TABLE PUT THEM AWAY!!!   uhhhh Comments By: Anon i have a question. can dogs die from eating at least three grapes???   EVERYONE OF U GRAPE HATERS SUCK! Comments By: Sarah Ive been feeding my dog grapes since it was 1 year old! She is now 14 years old and still going strong!   sour grapes Comments By: boompa have read the comments about giving grapes/rasins to dogs but where are the comments from vets and other medical personal?   No sultana for dogs!!! Comments By: June My 10 weeks old Chihuahua picked up a sultana on the floor, next day, he got jelly bloody diarea everywhere!!! that's only one piece of sultana!!!(luckily He's ok now).so don't feed your dog any grapes or sultana anymore!!!   Don't do it! Comments By: Anon If all of these people are warning and warning you, DON'T DO IT! I love my dog, and I found the HELPFUL comments very helpful. When will you guys learn that grapes can be toxic to dogs? I would never take the chance. I hope you understand! Also, I didn't know that salt was bad for dogs...? I don't want to take the chance, though!   no problems until now.... Comments By: Liz My dog is 11 and the grapevine about 15, we have never had any problems with it before, however he ate some dried grapes from the vine and has been in the vets for 2 days, it look as tho we were lucky, he will get over. The vine is coming down later today and will never be replaced.We have had other dogs since we have had the vine and never had any problems. Like they say some dogs are affected some not, we will never take a chance again.   Bringing your dog up as 'vegetarian' is animal cruelty! Comments By: A. Vet On the grapes issue - listen to the vets and believe the science! Just don't ever feed a dog grapes. As for the person who brought up his dog soley on fruit and vegetables - that is just plain straight forward cruelty. Dogs are carnivores - you might not be because of your personal tastes or beliefs but to force your dog to live on a vegetarian diet is a cruel and despicable thing to do. If you do not approve of meat-eating, then don't keep a carnivore as a pet!   losing dodger Comments By: megan pomeroy we lost our 2 1/2 yrs old extrely healthy high energy springer spaniel yesterday to kidney failure and other horrible complications that followed due to eating grapes!!! who would have thought my baby throwing grapes to my dodger would kill him! dont do it it was the most horrible experience of my life,   4 month old boxer pup dies Comments By: hart broken i rushed my pup to vet he had not been eating and started to vomit i was told his kindys wear shuting down i was told only rat posion or radiortor fluid would cause this and we needed to put him down i had told my vet he had been eating grapes not even my vet new grapes CAN KILL YOUR DOG my pup had not been around posion but had been eating grapes when ever my 2 year old son did so weather it the bread or the amout they will KILL YOUR DOG dont risk it i will be killing the 50 year old grapes vines befor i get a new pup   Not All Bad... Comments By: Marie it depends on the dog you have. smaller dogs, such as a chihuahua, are more likely to get sick from grapes or chocolate but cause their immune system won't be as strong as a bigger dog, such as a great daine. my dog is a beagle and ate a half tube of chocolate frosting and was fine my aunt's chihuahua wasn't as lucky when he ate some grapes off the floor. so it all depends on the dog and its health.