For many people, grapefruit is a favorite fruit, a juicy addition to salads and other dishes. Full of antioxidants, grapefruit also has a unique, tangy flavor. If you’re eating grapefruits, you might wonder if dogs can have grapefruit.
In This Article
Can Dogs Eat Grapefruit?
Like oranges, dogs can generally eat small amounts of grapefruit without issues. But though grapefruits are a great source of vitamin C, is grapefruit good for dogs? Not really.
Although the flesh of grapefruit isn’t toxic for dogs, it’s best to avoid feeding it to them. Grapefruit “can be very irritating to the gut of a dog,” advises Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinarian for the AKC. This is in part due to the high levels of citric acid in grapefruits.
Grapefruits’ sour, slightly bitter taste may make them popular for humans, but that flavor is off-putting for dogs. “Dogs do not need the nutritional benefit of grapefruits if fed a well-balanced dog food,” advises Dr. Klein.
Risks of Grapefruit Peels for Dogs
While dogs can technically consume the flesh of a grapefruit in small amounts, the same can’t be said for the rest of the fruit. Grapefruit skin and the rind are toxic to dogs, according to Dr. Klein, because of the natural essential oils that the skin contains.
If your dog consumes grapefruit peels, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. If you’re eating grapefruits or cooking with them, be very cautious of how you dispose of leftover fruit and rinds (which should be placed in trash containers that your dog can’t open.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Grapefruit
If your pet does eat grapefruit, they might experience gastrointestinal distress. If your dog consumes a large amount of the flesh, you should contact your veterinarian, while if they eat grapefruit rind or skin, you should call a veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic immediately. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your dog’s condition; be sure to tell them how much grapefruit your dog ate, so they can determine if your dog should be seen in person and what treatment they might need.
How to Safely Share Citrus With Your Dog
If you want to safely share a bit of citrus with your dog, give them a small piece of tangerines or orange flesh, without the peels. Before introducing any new food to your dog, discuss it with your vet. Only feed your dog a small amount, and discontinue feeding them that fruit if you notice any change in behavior or subsequent stomach upset.