Grapefruit is undoubtedly one of the popular and loved citrus fruits known for its tangy flavor and benefits for humans. However, “can dogs eat grapefruit?” is a question that can be worrisome, considering it is a citrus fruit.
In short—No, you should not feed your dog grapefruit as even though it has some health benefits, it is not worth the risk it can pose to dogs. This article has everything you need to know about grapefruit and dogs, so let’s get started!
Is Grapefruit Bad For Dogs?
Yep! Grapefruit is not an ideal human food for dogs, as it is toxic to dogs, can pose harm to their health, and might even be fatal. The reasons are:
1. Grapefruit toxicity
Starting with the very first and significant reason why grapefruit is not good for dogs- the toxic components. Grapefruits contain compounds like psoralens and essential oils, which are poisonous for dogs if consumed in certain amounts (1, 2). In fact, these are the same compounds that make lemon so toxic and not edible for dogs.
2. Not so dog-friendly
Secondly, dogs have sensitive stomachs and are not adapted to process certain substances in grapefruit. This can lead to digestive issues, vomiting, diarrhea, and even more severe reactions in the case of dogs with low tolerance.
2. Acidity
Last but not least, grapefruits in high amounts can be too acidic for humans, let alone our furry buddies! So acidity can often cause discomfort and nausea, which, again, is not an ideal situation you would like to see your dog in.
With all these bad things about grapefruit, you might wonder if there are any positives or nutritional benefits to it. Well, you are not wrong because grapefruit is indeed rich in vitamins and minerals, along with some great antioxidants. However, it will not be wise to ignore the damage it can bring to your dog, over some health benefits that literally any other fruit can give you, such as:
What to Do if Your Dog Ate Grapefruit?
If your dog ate grapefruit, you should not wait for the symptoms to occur. Instead, you should immediately contact your veterinarian and monitor these symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in behavior
- Pale gums
- Difficulty breathing
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- abdominal pain
- Lethargy
Conclusion
Our final thoughts on “can dogs eat grapefruit?” is a no! It would be best not to feed your dog grapefruit as it contains toxic compounds and is too acidic for dogs. Hence, if your dog has eaten grapefruit, please consult your veterinarian, as it can make your doggo sick. Also, don’t fall for the bare minimum nutritional benefits; instead, go for the safe alternatives!
Frequently Asked Questions
Even though small amounts of grapefruit will not be toxic to dogs, you should still avoid it. Feeding your dog grapefruit can lead to digestive issues, diarrhea, and discomfort due to the toxic compounds.
We do not recommend giving your dog grapefruit juice as it contains toxic elements that can be dangerous to dogs or make them sick. Also, fruit juice contains sugar or artificial sweeteners, which are not healthy choices for dogs.
No! You should not feed your dog grapefruit seeds as they can cause choking hazards. So, when peeling and eating grapefruit, ensure your dog does not eat the scraps or seeds!
We do not recommend feeding your dog this citrus fruit called the grapefruit. It is very acidic and consists of toxic elements that can be harmful to dogs and make them super sick.
