Dogs are consuming more human food than ever these days. With human food consumption on the rise, it’s important to know what is safe dog food for your Husky (and what’s not). While there are plenty of fruits on the market perfectly fine for dog consumption, you might be wondering can Huskies eat grapes?
So, can Huskies eat grapes? No. Absolutely not. As little as one grape can have a seriously negative impact on your Husky. There is a toxic ingredient in the flesh of grapes that can cause kidney failure, and eventually death, if not treated immediately after consumption.
So what is it about grapes that make them so deadly to Huskies? We’re going to discuss the reasoning behind grape damage to dogs and how you can spot the signs of grape toxicity. More importantly, you will find out how to help.
Why are Grapes Toxic to Huskies?
The honest answer to this question is that researchers still don’t know.
Seriously? This day in age!
There have been studies done on grapes to key in on which actual ingredient of the grape causes toxicity in dogs, but researchers have yet to pinpoint it.
However, there have been enough studies to show that it is an ingredient found in the flesh of the grapes. That being said, you shouldn’t consider the grape safe simply because you removed the skin and the seeds. It is still toxic whether the skin is on or off, or if there are seeds inside.
Grapes should be avoided at all costs, not just for Huskies but for all breeds as well. There are many different fruit options that your dog can safely enjoy.
What About Raisins?
Because grapes are such a big cause for concern in Huskies, a pet owner may wonder if raisins are also off limits. Since raisins are simply dried out grapes, they should be avoided at all costs as well.
Raisins, unfortunately, have the same effect on canines as regular grapes. It’s best to just keep your dog away from both raisins and grapes for their healthy and safety.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Grape Toxicity?
If your dog has accidentally consumed grapes or you’re unsure if he’s eaten grapes it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of grape toxicity. Knowing the symptoms will allow you to diagnose your Husky and get him the help he desperately needs.
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Quietness/Stillness not typical of your Husky.
- Vomiting, which occurs a few hours after ingesting.
- Diarrhea, which will also occur a few hours later.
- Abdominal pain that is tender to the touch.
- Dehydration
You can spot dehydration of your Husky when they begin to excessively pant, have a dry nose and mouth, and gums turn to a pale pink shade.
You can also easily check for dehydration by pulling up on the dog’s neck skin. It should snap back quickly when the dog is hydrated properly.
- Increased thirst
- Increased urine production
- Decreased urine production
- No urinating whatsoever
- Kidney failure
This is the last symptom of grape toxicity in Huskies and can be fatal if not treated in time.
What to do if Your Husky Ingests Grapes
Research has found that the fatal amount of grape consumption differs by dog size. A 10 pound dog can die from as little as a 1 or 2 grapes, while a 20 pound plus dog can handle 3 to 4.
However, it’s important to note that there is no safe amount of grapes for Husky consumption and they should be avoided at all costs.
If your Husky ingests a grape, do the following:
- Call the veterinarian right away. Discuss the signs and symptoms going on with your dog. Tell the vet if you are unsure if there was actual grape consumption, as these symptoms can occur from several other causes.
- The vet may inform you to induce vomiting. However, you should never do so if your Husky is having trouble breathing, or showing any signs of shock.
- You may need to take your Siberian Husky to the vet. Again, the veterinarian will have the best answer for your critical situations. Most of the time if a dog is able to vomit the grapes, they will be okay. If the dog is struggling to breathe, is in shock, or in the stages of kidney failure they will need immediate professional help.
Getting your Husky the help she needs as soon as possible is crucial to their health and well being.
Toxicity can begin to cause kidney damage in as little as 24 hours after ingesting, so contacting your veterinarian beforehand is ideal.
If you are unaware of your dog’s grape consumption and she begins to show these signs and symptoms, give your veterinarian a call right away. These signs may be due to grape consumption, or another condition that needs treatment.
How to Keep Your Husky Safe from Grape Toxicity
There’s a lot of things you can do to be a proactive pet owner and keep your Husky safe.
1. Keep Grapes Out of Reach
Dogs don’t know that grapes are toxic and can be fatal. They see human food, and they will likely want to try it. The best thing to do is keep grapes out of reach to your Husky.
2. Keep Grapes Out of the Home
If you’re really serious about avoiding grape consumption, simply keep grapes out of the home.
3. Get Immediate Help if Ingestion Occurs
If somehow your Husky gets a hold of a grape (or grapes) the best thing to do is get help right away.
Those few minutes can be the difference between life and death for your Husky.
Safe Human Foods for Husky Consumption
Just because grapes are off limits doesn’t mean that all human foods are.
In fact, there is a lot of delicious and nutritious fruits that are perfectly safe for Huskies to consume.
- Apples (Seeds Removed)
- Bananas
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Coconut (No Husk)
- Cranberries
- Eggs
- Mango (No Pits)
- Nectarines (No Pits)
- Oranges
- Peaches (No Pits)
- Pears
- Pineapples
- Raspberries (Limit Consumption)
- Strawberries
- Watermelon (Seeds Removed and No Rine)
Remember: just like with any other human food you feed your dog, always check for an allergic reaction.
While these fruits are deemed safe for Husky consumption, each dog will have their own reactions. Some may be allergic, or simply not like the fruit altogether.
Try out different fruits to see which one your Husky enjoys.
Related Questions
You should get help immediately if your dog has ingested a grape. However, if you didn’t see him eat the grapes, you might not notice any signs until up to 24 hours after ingestion. The Husky will likely begin vomiting and have diarrhea, but sometimes symptoms are worse and will get progressively worse if not treated.
There are a lot of safe fruits for Husky consumption, but there are a few that should be avoided at all costs. These include the following:
Cherries. Cherries are also toxic to dogs (and cats) and should never be consumed.
Grapes. Grapes can cause kidney damage, kidney failure, and even death.
Citrus fruits like grapefruit, lemon, and lime are safe, however they can cause an upset stomach in many dogs and shouldn’t be consumed too regularly.
No. Milk consumption can lead to Husky stomach problems including vomiting, diarrhea, and possibly obesity if consumed over a long period of time.
