Grapes, Nuts, and Your Dogs Health - Foods that Fido should Avoid

So begins an account in the latest report from the ASPCA on foods that could be toxic to dogs. It turns out that Magoo experienced the pantry and snagged himself about a pound of raisins. He ate everything, of course. Gogoanime

The ASPCA never mentions Magoo's fate. Nevertheless they do reveal that as low as a small number of raisins can impair a dogs health and has been fatal for some. Ditto for the grape.

Who Knew?

Growing up, I regarded our family dogs as "the very first cycle of the dishwasher" ;.These were good about waiting their turn for whatever we left on our plates, and we weren't too concerned about offering them "people food" ;.It never crossed our minds which our dogs health might be affected by several measly table scraps. The thing that was safe for us, we figured, was safe for the pets.

What's more, whenever I ate grapes, I liked to provide a couple of to your German Shepherd "Tiffany" ;.The grapes always popped out of her mouth when she tried to bite into them and Tiffany, ever the nice sport, refused to give up until she'd squashed each one into submission. It guaranteed at the least 60 seconds of harmless fun.

Tiffany was also fond of gum (she chewed it -- wrapper and all -- but didn't swallow it!) We had the sugarless kind, that will be often sweetened nowadays with xylitol.

Little did I know that I might have been poisoning our family pet! (More on xylitol below).

Why are grapes harmful?

In terms of 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 to not every dog, and not every time. It's also not known whether small amounts eaten over quite a long time period might have a cumulative effect.

What we do know is that the result in almost all reported cases of grape or raisin toxicity is acute kidney failure. (The term "acute" means that the problem is severe and happens quickly.) Canine ultimately can't produce urine, meaning they can't filter toxins out of the systems -- a procedure necessary to life.

Throughout the twelve-month period in which the results of grapes were studied, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled 140 cases involving a number of dogs. Over a next of the dogs developed symptoms which range from vomiting to kidney failure, and seven dogs died. The ASPCA based their study on reported cases, so naturally there may be cases when a dogs health is entirely unaffected by eating grapes. But until they know all the important points, the Society advises against feeding pets grapes or raisins in virtually any amount.

An ounce of prevention

So, your dog just scored himself a big box of raisins. What's a pet owner to accomplish?

The first distinct defense, if the grapes or raisins were eaten recently, is always to induce vomiting and administer activated charcoal (it absorbs toxins in the GI tract). Vomiting can also be the first sign that the dog is in trouble, so skip right to the activated charcoal if vomiting has occurred. (In a pinch you may make your own activated charcoal by charring a piece of toast until it's blackened and crumbles easily.) Then call your vet right away.

Can't reach the vet? Call ASPCA Poison Control: 888-426-4435

The vet could keep your dog on intravenous fluids for at the least 48 hours and monitor blood chemistry daily. Normal blood work after 3 days usually means your pet is in the clear.

Keeping a watchful eye out, obviously, is the best way to help keep your pet out of trouble. Like children, dogs (and other pets) have a skill for engaging in mischief when we're not looking.

It's Not Just the Grapes...

You can find other foods your dog should be kept from, and many of them may surprise you.

Here are a few other foods that may put a dogs health in harms way:

Chocolate

Who are able to resist chocolate? Want it your not, your dog.

Chocolate is made out of cocoa beans and cocoa beans include a chemical called Theobromine, that is toxic to dogs. Various kinds of chocolate have varying effects on dogs health. Dark chocolate has the largest theobromine, to arrive at a massive 450mg (compared to 1mg for white chocolate). So on Valentine's Day, you're actually being kind to your absolute best buddy in the event that you eat most of the chocolates yourself!