Can dogs eat grapefruit? While the sour taste of grapefruit makes it an amusing fruit to feed babies, (just watch that face curl up), it doesn’t make for particularly good dog food. In short, canines should stay away from it.
In fact, the ASPCA have placed grapefruit on the list of toxic dog food no, nos. Owners should not feed their dogs grapefruit.
Can Dogs Eat Grapefruit – Precautions
The toxicity within grapefruit comes from the essential oils contained within the skin and pit, and the presence of psoralens.
This is a food that although really good for humans, is in no way beneficial to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Grapefruit – Symptoms of Toxicity
If your dog has eaten grapefruit, even just a small amount, they may start to exhibit signs of grapefruit toxicity. The clinical signs of the condition include vomiting, (a sign that your dog is trying to rid themselves of the toxic elements), diarrhea, (a sign that it is too late and the grapefruit toxicity is already well within the system) and even photo-sensitivity (a sign that your dog is very ill).
Other signs include excessive drooling, trembling and signs of ataxia. In some cases a rash may develop, particularly in the dog’s groin area.
Milder cases will see your dog looking lethargic and under the weather.
Whatever the symptoms, if you believe that your pet has had some grapefruit dog food, you should visit the vets immediately. There they will attempt to alleviate any pain, while ridding the stomach of the offending fruit particles if at all possible. In ultra severe cases of animal toxicity poisoning, a blood transfusion may be required.
Bottom Line
Keep your dog away from grapefruit, it is one of those foods that will not benefit them at all, and you will only run the risk of making them very ill.