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Dogs love to sample the garbage can if it’s accessible, and one food that they might accidentally get into is grape jelly. Grape jelly can be dangerous for dogs because the jelly contains grape products. Here is everything you need to know about dogs eating grape jelly, including what to do if they eat some, the ingredients in it, and the toxicity.
If your dog has eaten a noticeable amount of grape jelly and you are looking for immediate help or information, you should stop reading this and call your veterinarian right away.
Can Dogs Eat Grape Jelly?
Dogs cannot eat grape jelly and should never eat anything that contains grapes. Grapes are toxic to dogs, and ingesting any grape product, including grape jelly, can be dangerous.
Grape Jelly Ingredients
- Concord Grape Juice
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Corn Syrup
- Fruit Pectin
- Citric Acid
- Sodium
- Citrate
Grapes Are Toxic to Dogs
Grapes contain a compound known as tartaric acid, and it is now thought that it is a toxic component causing acute kidney damage. Unfortunately there is no known toxic dose for dogs, with no clear link between the size of a dog and the amount of grapes eaten that will cause severe effects. Also, the amount of tartaric acid in grapes can vary hugely. There is no known “safe dose” of grapes or grape products.
Therefore, dogs should avoid ingesting any type of grape or grape product. That includes raw grapes, raisins, jams, jellies, and candies. That also includes Uncrustables, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cakes, and pastries. Anything that contains grapes should be avoided at all costs. For maximum safety, you should avoid keeping grape products in the house if you have dogs or keep them out of reach of curious canines.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Grape Jelly
If your dog eats grape jelly, you should first evaluate the situation, but do not panic! How much jelly did your dog eat? Was it a single lick or a whole bagel smothered in grape jelly? The second thing you should do is consider the time. Can you get into your vet right away? You should contact your regular or emergency vet straight away for advice. The veterinarian will be able to assess your dog, decide whether it is appropriate to make them vomit, and provide other treatments, such as intravenous fluids.
You should not try to induce vomiting in your dog unless advised by your vet, as it can lead to serious complications.
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Signs to Look Out For
As the toxic dose for dogs is unknown, some dogs can eat a small portion of grapes and be fine, while others can become very unwell.
Here are the signs that may develop if your dog eats any type of grape, including grape jelly:
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Dehydration
Please note: You should not wait to see signs of toxicity before getting your dog seen by a vet. Treatment is critical, and the timeliness of treatment is also critical.
In Conclusion
Dogs cannot eat grape jelly. Grapes are toxic to our canine companions, and ingesting grape jelly can cause serious kidney damage. You need to be careful not to let your dog access any grapes or grape products. If your dog eats grape jelly, you should consult your veterinarian right away and follow their advice.
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Featured Image Credit: Zigzag Mountain Art, Shutterstock
