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When you become a pet parent, one of the most important things to educate yourself on is what your pet can and cannot eat. Every pet is different, and toxic foods for one pet might not be dangerous to another pet.
Food toxicity is situational, which is why you must look into the breed of your pet and learn about the foods that are safe for that breed in particular. For instance, if you adopt a chihuahua, you might find yourself wondering which foods are toxic to chihuahuas.
There are many human foods that your chihuahua can eat, but some of them are toxic. From your research, you will probably discover a standard question, which is, “Can chihuahuas eat grapes?” The short answer is no. Chihuahuas cannot eat grapes because they are toxic to a chihuahua’s system.
But why are grapes toxic to chihuahuas? And what are the signs or symptoms of grape toxicity in chihuahuas? Today, we will explore the answers to these questions and let you know what to do if your chihuahua eats a grape.
Why Are Grapes Toxic to Chihuahuas?
Grapes are linked to kidney failure and an inability to produce urine as a result. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, grapes are a toxic food for dogs.
The exact reason grapes are toxic to chihuahuas is not fully understood yet, but some suspect a mycotoxin in grapes that causes dangerous side effects. A mycotoxin is a fungus that occurs naturally in foods, and in this case, the mycotoxin is not fatal for humans, but it is for dogs, especially chihuahuas.
Foods that are grape-flavored do not pose a toxicity threat to dogs. Your chihuahua should never eat grape jam, grape candies, or grape jelly, nor should your chihuahua ever drink grape wine or grape juice. However, these foods and drinks won’t cause the same outcome as food containing traces of actual grapes.
Some examples of grape-containing foods that will pose a fatal threat to your chihuahua include:
- Trail mix
- Granola
- Grape nuts
- Grape tarts
- Flatbread Salads
- Grape syrups
- Candied grapes
- Grape pie
Signs and Symptoms of Grape Toxicity in Chihuahuas
As much as we want to think that all it takes to keep our pets safe is prevention, there are instances where we can’t always prevent our dogs from getting into danger. Just in case your chihuahua ever eats a grape behind your back, it’s essential to be aware of the signs and symptoms of grape toxicity in chihuahuas.
Here are some signs to look out for if you suspect your chihuahua has eaten a grape:
- Extreme exhaustion
- Weakness of the limbs
- Vomiting or refusal to eat food
- Diarrhea or other changes in bathroom habits
- Dehydration or thirst that cannot be quenched
- Dry skin, nose, and mouth
- Shortness of breath or panting
- Difficulty breathing despite not exercising
- Increase or decrease in urination
- Light pink or pale gums and tongue
- Stomach or abdominal pain
What To Do if Your Chihuahua Eats a Grape
The first step to take if your chihuahua eats a grape is to take your pet to either an emergency vet hospital or your dog’s veterinarian. Since grapes are toxic to chihuahuas, you must seek medical attention immediately.
Grape toxicity can lead to kidney failure if it is not treated right away. When you arrive at the vet’s office or the emergency hospital, likely, the medical staff will gently force your chihuahua to throw up the grape.
But don’t worry! There are procedures in place that ensure your chihuahua will not be injured or hurt in the process of induced vomiting. If you cannot physically take your chihuahua to a medical help center for dogs, call your vet right away instead.
Let the receptionist know that your chihuahua may have eaten a grape and ask them to assist you in helping your dog throw up at home. The receptionist will get a medical professional on the line, and that person will walk you through the steps of carefully helping your chihuahua vomit.
Diagnostic Tools for Grape Toxicity in Chihuahuas
Before they can treat your chihuahua for toxicity resulting from grapes, the vet must first assess the situation and determine that grapes are the cause of your chihuahua’s symptoms. Unfortunately, there aren’t any specific diagnostic tests that medical professionals can use when trying to discover the cause of your pet’s side effects.
Instead, it all comes down to two different details. First, the vet will ask about your pet’s past encounters with grapes. You will need to let the medical professionals know whether or not your chihuahua has eaten grapes recently.
Even if you don’t know for sure that your chihuahua has eaten grapes, tell the vet if it is a possibility. Dogs can be sneaky when they want something they know they are not supposed to have, so even if you do your best to keep grapes away from your chihuahua, your pet could have found a way to eat one anyway.
If you suspect that your pet is dealing with grape toxicity, the vet will search for grapes in your chihuahua’s vomit as well. This will answer any suspicions the vet has about your chihuahua experiencing grape toxicity. Since there is still a lot to learn about the correlation between grapes and the fatal side effects they cause for chihuahuas, veterinarians are learning as they go.
The Bottom Line
All in all, if your chihuahua eats a grape, medical attention is the necessary first step. But as best as possible, try to avoid the situation altogether by keeping grapes out of reach.
If you’re ever snacking on grapes near your chihuahua, consider eating them in a different room. That way, there’s no risk of your chihuahua getting their paws on the fruit.
Preventative measures are critical. If your chihuahua is never around grapes, your dog won’t have any chance of getting grape toxicity.