Tamarind is a pod-like fruit with a tangy and sweet flavor. It’s native to tropical Africa, though it can grow in some places in the United States (namely Southern Florida). Though it is not as easy to find in most supermarkets as other North American-grown fruit, its pulp is widely used for sauces, marinades, drinks, and desserts. If you happen to have found some tamarind in your local grocery store, you might be wondering if it’s something your dog can safely eat.

While your pup can safely consume numerous other fruits, tamarinds are not safe. They contain a high level of tartaric acid, which is highly toxic to dogs and can even kill them. Read on to learn more.

Why Can’t Dogs Eat Tamarind?

The biggest issue with tamarind is its high concentration of tartaric acid.

According to the Pet Poison Hotline, tartaric acid can attack a dog’s kidneys, making them less efficient and potentially causing kidney failure and even death.

While fruits like bananas and strawberries also contain a small amount of tartaric acid, their content is negligible compared to tamarinds’ content. Tamarinds and grapes have the highest levels of tartaric acid concentration of all fruits, which is why they’re both considered toxic for dogs.

What Should I Do if My Dog Ate a Tamarind?

If your dog eats tamarind, they may exhibit clinical signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, increased thirst, dehydration, and abdominal pain. However, acute kidney injury can develop following tamarind ingestion. Evidence for the amount of tamarind that can cause toxicity in dogs is currently inconclusive, which may be partly due to the variable amount of tartaric acid they can contain. So, if your dog gets into your tamarind stash, treat it as an emergency.

You can also contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. However, the sooner your pup’s tamarind ingestion is addressed, the easier, safer, and less expensive to treat. Not to mention, the sooner your dog receives treatment, the better their prognosis will be.

A 2022 study examined dogs who developed kidney issues after eating tamarinds or cream of tartar (the powdered form of tartaric acid). The study found that even despite IV fluids and symptomatic and supportive care, some of the dogs developed anuria (non-passage of urine) and oliguria (low urine output). Four of the dogs examined had to be euthanized due to their response to these ingredients.

Your veterinary team may suggest decontamination and intravenous fluid diuresis, among other supportive and symptomatic treatments.

What Fruits Are Safe for Dogs?

So, we now know that tamarinds and grapes should be off-limits for our pup, but what fruits are safe?

Final Thoughts

Tamarinds may be useful for cooking things like pad Thai and making marinades, but you do not want to share this fruit with your dog. Its high tartaric acid content can cause painful side effects, kidney injury, and even death.

If you know your dog has eaten tamarind, take them to your veterinary clinic as soon as possible. You can also call the Pet Poison Helpline or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for advice. Though there is a fee for this service, they can tell you if your pup needs emergency care or at-home monitoring.

See Also:

• Can Dogs Eat Pizza Rolls? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Concerns
• Can Dogs Eat Spaghetti Sauce? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Better Alternatives

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