Grapes are a popular fruit all around the world. It is extremely healthy for humans as they pack several nutrients. Grapes are used in making several other food products like raisins, jam, juice, wine, etc. Grapes are easily accessible and inexpensive, which tempts us to feed it to our pets, thinking it would be equally good for them. But is it so?
In this article, we are going to discuss whether it is safe to feed grapes to our Poodles and answer several other questions related to poodles consuming grapes.
So, can poodles eat grapes? NO! Grapes are extremely dangerous to poodles and all other dogs. Grapes are bad for dogs of all ages and breeds. They can be fatal. Grapes cause damage to the kidney which eventually leads to acute kidney failure.
In some dogs, kidney failure is not immediately seen. The answer to why grapes affect dogs so badly is still unknown, and the cases are still being studied. But grapes of all kinds, whether seedless or not, green or black, they are all toxic for dogs.
In short, never feed grapes to any dog, let alone poodles.
What about other grape products?
No matter how, if the grape is dried, fermented, cooked, or processed in any other way possible, it will remain a poison for the poodles.
All products made from grapes, including raisins, wine, jelly, grape juice, or anything else, are equally dangerous for dogs.
So, always check the food that you are feeding your dog if it contains even a small amount of grape. If it does, keep that away from your poodle.
Cause of poisoning
To this date, there is uncertainty about what exactly the toxic agents in the grapes are. Some scientists think that the flesh of the fruit is the main agent, but this fails to explain why even the grape seeds are toxic or why peeled grapes are also lethal.
But one thing that the entire scientific community unanimously agree upon is that the fruit is fatal for dogs. So, make sure this stays as far away from your cute poodle as you can.
Symptoms of grape poisoning in poodles
The symptoms can vary from dog to dog. However, the following are some obvious symptoms shown by poodles:
Vomiting – This can start within a couple of hours of eating grapes. When you look carefully, you might see remains of grape in the vomit.
Diarrhea – Another obvious symptom. The fecal content may contain undigested pieces of grapes.
Appetite Loss – Your poodle will show loss of appetite and will get irritated if you try and feed her.
Weakness – Poodles are active dogs; if they feel lazy and weak, chances are she might have ingested grapes.
Foul Breath
Abdominal pain – Another obvious symptom.
Anuria – This is a medical condition in which the urinary system is affected, and your poodle will cease to urinate.
Oliguria – Similar to Anuria, but this time, only a small amount of urine will pass.
Dehydration
Seizures – Your poodle may have sudden seizures.
Coma – This is the worst possible symptom.
If your dog experiences any of the above symptoms, immediately contact your vet or try and take your dog to the nearest medical facility.
First Aid
Understand that grape poisoning is a medical emergency for a poodle (or any other dog). If you take some quick and proper steps, you can save the life of your dog.
If your poodle has accidentally eaten grapes or raisins within the past couple of hours, make her vomit as soon as possible.
However, if you are not sure if she has ingested grapes, refrain from doing so. If your poodle is in the state of shock or severe distress or having trouble breathing, don’t make her vomit either.
There is a proper method to make her vomit. Follow the following procedure properly:
1. Take 1 ml of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide per pound of your dog’s weight. Use a clean and sanitized syringe. No matter how much your dog weighs, the amount should never exceed 45ml.
2. Remove the needle (if any), from the syringe and squirt the hydrogen peroxide in your poodle’s mouth.
3. Wait for 15 minutes. If the vomiting doesn’t start, repeat the above steps again. But under no circumstances, this process is repeated more than twice.
Vomiting is one of the symptoms too. So, if your poodle has already vomited, don’t make her vomit again. Don’t use any chemical which is stronger than Hydrogen Peroxide, unless you have contacted your vet and he/she has instructed so.
No matter if your dog vomits or not, take her to the vet anyway. A vet can save your dog if you reach on time.
Treatment
The vet would try and make your poodle vomit if you were unsuccessful. Medications will be provided to control excessive diarrhea or vomiting.
If your dog is lucky, a little medication can treat your dog quickly. Otherwise, other options include keeping the poodle on life support and kidney transplant.
If the kidney has completely shut down, sadly, euthanasia remains the only option.
Prevention
Keep your poodle away from grapes. Poodles are a particularly curious breed. They might try and eat grapes if they are lying around unattended. Make sure all the people in your family know how bad grapes and raisins are for your poodle. Remember, prevention is better than cure.
What other foods are toxic for a poodle?
Here is a list of items that are extremely toxic for your poodle and you must keep them away from these:
Alcohol – These are not healthy for humans. They are even worse for dogs. So, always say NO to alcohol.
Avocado – Avocados, particularly raw, can be fatal for your dog.
Chocolates – They are equally bad for your poodle or any other dog. The symptoms are similar to grape poisoning. Keep them away from poodles.
Mushrooms – Most mushrooms are bad for dogs. So, don’t feed them mushrooms at all.
Garlic and Onions – Both of these are extremely toxic to all dogs, including poodles.
Cat Food – Cat Food can be way worse for your dog than you can imagine. So, never feed them cat food.
Treats for poodles
Most other fruits are healthy for your poodle. So, in addition to the regular dog food that you are giving them, you can offer the following fruits:
Apples – Remember to remove seeds and core before offering them to your poodle.
Banana – An excellent fruit that your poodle will love.
Blueberries – Perhaps, the healthiest fruit that you can offer your dog.
Cantaloupe – Cantaloupe is a nice and nutritious option.
Mangoes – Just remove the pit and see your dog enjoy the treat.
Strawberries – They are an excellent treat for your poodle.
Watermelon – Make sure to remove the rind and seeds. The watermelon flesh is healthy for dogs.
Apart from these, there are plenty of other fruits that you can offer your poodle. Not just fruits. There are a lot of vegetables too that are healthy for your poodle:
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Celery
- Green Beans
- Peas
Watch out for allergies, and remember to wash anything you give to your dog. It is always good to consult your vet before feeding any new food item to your poodle.
Summary
Poodles are one of the most intelligent dogs. They are active, very skillful, and are regular winners of most dog shows. Poodles are special and a true friend to humans. It is only appropriate that we take the utmost care of them, keep them away from all kinds of trouble, including grapes.
It’s fascinating how such a healthy fruit for humans can be so dangerous for our dogs. But nature has a weird sense of humor. Let’s keep our dogs, including poodles away from grapes.