Are Dogs Allergic to Grapes? Fruit Allergies
If you’re eating a piece of fruit with your dog looking on expectantly, have you ever wondered, are dogs allergic to grapes? While fruits and veggies are an essential part of the human diet, are they good for our furry friends?
Some fruits are fine for your tail-wagger, and they will also benefit from all of those healthy nutrients. However, it doesn’t mean they need to eat the five a day us humans are encouraged to chow down. As an occasional tasty treat, dogs can eat certain types of fruit with no problems at all.
However, as a conscientious pet parent, you need to be aware that dogs can also be allergic to fruit. Plus, it’s advisable to speak with your vet before introducing any new foods into your doggy’s diet.
Can Dogs Eat Fruit?
We all love spoiling our furry friends, right? One way dog owners shower their pooch with affection is by giving them food as a special treat. A dog’s diet can seem pretty boring to us humans. They eat the same thing every single day whereas we get to enjoy a huge variety of different tastes and textures.
While you can offer your dog treats specifically formulated for pooches, pet parents also like to share their own food with their canine companions. The important thing to remember when feeding your dog ‘human food,’ is that your doggy’s digestive system works differently from a human’s.
Hence, before you give in to those puppy dog eyes and offer your bow-wow a bite of banana, or a couple of grapes — make yourself aware of which fruits are pooch-friendly and which ones may cause allergies or adverse effects.
Why Are Dogs Allergic to Grapes and Other Fruits?
You may have heard that dogs can be allergic to grapes. This isn’t a myth, grapes are harmful to dogs, and you should try your best to make sure they don’t accidentally eat any.
Grapes can make your pooch very poorly, but are dogs allergic to raisins and grapes, or is there another reason why these fruits can cause health problems?
It’s down to the tartaric acid in grapes, which is toxic for dogs. It can cause your dog to suffer from diarrhea and vomiting, as well as kidney failure and excessive thirst. These symptoms aren’t typical of an allergic reaction (as in, an overactive immune response) and are in fact, caused because of its toxic nature to canines.
Some dogs are lucky and can consume a grape or two without suffering any serious symptoms. However, it’s not worth the risk — no matter how much your bow-wow begs.
Now that we’ve established that grapes are bad for dogs, what about other fruits? Can dogs be allergic to bananas, for example? What about a dog tomato allergy? Are dogs allergic to avocado?
Fruit Dogs Can and Can’t Eat
To keep your dog safe from accidental poisoning or an allergic reaction, make yourself aware of exactly what fruit your dog can eat, and which ones they need to avoid.
If you’ve been asking yourself, are dogs allergic to raspberries or strawberries? We have the answers.
Dog-friendly Fruit
We understand you want to keep your dog safe and healthy, so here is a list of fruit that dogs aren’t allergic to and can enjoy:
- Apple.
- Banana.
- Blueberries.
- Cantaloupe.
- Cranberries.
- Mango.
- Orange.
- Peach.
- Pear.
- Pineapple.
- Raspberries.
- Strawberries.
- Watermelon.
If you choose to feed your dog any fruit on this list, remember to remove the rind, pit, and seeds. Different fruits contain different vitamins and minerals. Hence, adding the occasional piece of fruit to your dog’s diet can be beneficial to their overall health.
Even though the fruits listed above won’t cause your dog to have an allergic reaction, they should only be given as a treat, alongside their usual dog food. Bananas, for example, have a high sugar content, and raspberries are high in Xylitol (a natural sugar that’s harmful in high quantities).
In short, it’s all about moderation and finding a healthy balance when feeding fruit to dogs.
Dog Unfriendly Fruit
There are several fruits that dogs can eat but there are also many that can cause adverse effects when consumed by our puppy pals. Are dogs allergic to tomatoes, cherries, or grapes? The following list reveals exactly what fruit dogs can’t eat:
- Avocado.
- Cherries
- Grapes.
- Tomatoes.
- Raisins.
- Rhubarb.
- Lemons.
Avocados have been found to induce breathing difficulties and diarrhea in dogs, grapes can lead to kidney failure, and unripe tomatoes can damage your dog’s nervous system. Lastly, rhubarb may seem harmless, but it can actually cause your dog to experience heart failure and seizures. Giving any of these fruits to your dog isn’t worth the risk, the consequences are too great.
When thinking about a dog tomato allergy or of any other kind of fruit, ‘allergy’ is often not the best word to use.
An allergic reaction is an overactive response of the immune system. In many instances, dogs suffer symptoms after eating fruit because it contains something that’s toxic to them, not because an immune response has been triggered.
Only some dogs suffer from food allergies, but raisins, grapes, and so on are toxic to all of our furry friends. However, just like humans, some dogs will develop allergies to certain foods, which include fruit.
Symptoms of Fruit Allergies in Dogs
As a good pet parent, you will also need to know all of the symptoms of a food allergy. This knowledge will help you to determine if your dog is having an allergic reaction or not. Spotting the signs could save your dog’s life.
Here are the common fruit allergy symptoms in dogs:
Skin Symptoms:
- Itching.
- Inflammation.
- Infection.
Other Symptoms:
- Depression.
- Ear infection.
- Loss of fur.
Digestive System Symptoms:
- Bloating.
- Discomfort.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
If you notice your dog displaying any of these symptoms, monitor them very closely and avoid offering them fruit. It should also remain off the menu until they have seen a veterinarian. A vet will be able to diagnose your dog’s food allergy and advise on how you can keep them safe from another reaction in the future.
Severe Symptoms:
- Bright red gums.
- Dilated pupils.
- Dehydration.
- Excessive drinking/urinating.
- Anaphylactic shock.
- Hives.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Swelling.
Should your dog be unfortunate to suffer any of these severe symptoms, seek veterinary attention immediately.
As we explained earlier, some kinds of fruit contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs and should be completely avoided — regardless of whether your dog has displayed fruit allergy symptoms in the past or not. What’s more, you shouldn’t take the risk or assume your dog will be fine because they don’t have other food allergies.
Treatment for Dogs With Fruit Allergies
The treatment your dog needs for a fruit allergy will depend on the severity of their symptoms.
Minor
If your dog is experiencing skin itching and discomfort after eating fruit, a bath with a mild shampoo may be all that’s required to alleviate their discomfort. If swelling, inflammation, and itching are not too serious, your vet may prescribe antihistamines or other medication to treat your dog’s allergic reaction.
Serious
If the swelling has spread to your dog’s throat and airways, they may need to be intubated by a vet and administered the antihistamine medication via an IV (intravenous drip). Your pup may also need help stabilizing their oxygen levels, and if they are experiencing severe breathing difficulties, the vet may use an oxygen flow-by or oxygen cage to assist your pooch’s breathing.
Emergency/Life-threatening
In severe situations where your dog has gone into anaphylactic shock, a vet will need to administer emergency, life-saving care. If left untreated, anaphylactic shock can be fatal. For a more in-depth explanation, check out our guide on Anaphylaxis in Dogs.
The best way to keep your dog safe from fruit allergies is to avoid introducing any fruit into their diet. However, if you want to give your dog a fruity snack, monitor them closely.
Conclusion
Fruits are full of various vitamins and minerals and can be a healthy and tasty injection into your dog’s regular diet. However, bear in mind that dogs can be allergic to certain fruits, and others can be toxic to all dogs.
Don’t despair, if you want your dog to enjoy an occasional piece of fruit, there are plenty that aren’t toxic and shouldn’t cause allergy symptoms. For example, you can give your dog a sweet banana or a crunchy apple and they should be completely fine. Just remember, dogs don’t need fruit in their diet, but if you want to treat your dog with fruit from time to time, you can.
So, are dogs allergic to oranges? Are dogs allergic to peaches? Are dogs allergic to pineapple? Whatever fruit your dog is partial to, many are perfectly safe for them.
But be aware of those that are potentially dangerous. As explained in this Are Dogs Allergic to Grapes? Fruit Allergies 101 — grapes, raisins, avocados, rhubarb, cherries, and tomatoes should never be fed to your furry friend.
Dogs Allergic to Grapes FAQs
Are Dogs Allergic to Bananas?
Dogs can eat bananas and will often happily enjoy these sweet fruits as a tasty snack. However, some dogs may develop a banana allergy, as is the case with us humans. There is nothing toxic in this fruit that may be an issue.
Are Dogs Allergic to Blueberries?
Blueberries are full of antioxidants and make a great nutritious treat for your dog. Unlike grapes and raisins, there are no toxic components in a blueberry. However, you will want to give them to your dog in moderation, as too many can cause an upset stomach.
What Happens if a Dog Eats Fruit?
Depending on what fruit your dog eats, either nothing, or they may suffer an allergic or toxic reaction. For example, grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure, but a banana shouldn’t do your dog any harm. Likewise, you can give your dog an orange (as long as you remove the rind), but unripe tomatoes can damage their immune system.
Are Dogs Allergic to Cherries?
Cherries are on our list of fruits to avoid, but they can be given to dogs with extreme caution — there are potential health risks. The pit and stem of cherries contain cyanide, this is a poisonous component that can be extremely toxic when consumed by dogs. Also, the cherry pit is a choking hazard and may get stuck inside your dog’s intestine, causing a blockage.
Are Dogs Allergic to Cranberries?
Dogs can enjoy this fruit in moderation. However, pet owners should limit how many cranberries they feed to their dog, as too many can cause a bad stomach upset.
How Do I Know if My Dog Has Food Allergies?
If your dog has developed a food allergy they will develop several symptoms. You may notice your dog excessively scratching and nibbling at their skin, their skin may look inflamed, and they may even come out in a rash (hives). Dogs with allergies also often suffer from diarrhea and vomiting, as well as a low mood and loss of fur.
Are Dogs Allergic to Lemons?
Dogs shouldn’t eat lemons, as this highly acidic citrus fruit contains compounds that are toxic to dogs. After consuming a lemon, your dog may develop diarrhea and start vomiting.
That said, dogs don’t tend to enjoy the sour taste of lemons, thus, it’s unlikely they will want to eat enough of it to cause any severe problems.
Are Dogs Allergic to Apples?
Apples can be sliced and given to your dog as a treat. They are healthy, help clean their teeth, and freshen their breath. However, remove the core and the seeds — these contain small amounts of cyanide, which could harm your dog.
Are Dogs Allergic to Watermelon?
Watermelon is a great healthy treat that you can give your dogs safely. It has a high moisture and fiber content. It’s also in the superfood category.
Do Dogs Always Get Sick From Grapes?
Just one grape can make a dog sick, but symptoms will be far less severe than if they had eaten several. Grape toxicity affects all dogs, no matter their age, health, or size.
