If you are a proud French bulldog parent, you know your Frenchie has a sweet tooth. And as a devoted parent, you want to indulge its sweet cravings and toss its way some sugary fruit or treat every once in a while.
However, when feeding sugary fruits to your French bulldog, you need to know which are safe and which are not. One of the most popular and frequently debated fruit is grapes.
So, can French bulldogs eat grapes? The simple answer is no. You must never offer your dog grapes or raisins as this fruit can be highly toxic.
Can Frenchies Eat Grapes?
As a caring pet owner, you might feel the urge to share your snack with your adorable French Bulldog. However, it’s crucial to remember that not all human foods are safe for them.
You might find it surprising, but grapes and raisins are on the list of foods that can be harmful to Frenchies. These fruits contain a certain toxin that can quickly lead to kidney failure, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Signs that your Frenchie might have eaten grapes include symptoms like vomiting, loss of appetite, tiredness, dehydration, and shaking. Make sure to always keep grapes and raisins out of their reach. And remember, their health is far more important than giving in to their begging–cute as they may be! Always check with the vet before trying out new foods in their diet.
As for treats, there are also plenty of healthy alternative treats for Frenchies.
Potential Health Risks of Grapes to French Bulldogs
What Makes Grapes Unsafe for French Bulldogs?
Grapes, tasty and harmless as they seem to us, can be lethal for French Bulldogs and other dog breeds. The reason is that grapes and raisins contain a specific toxic substance that can lead to serious health complications in dogs. Though the exact component of this toxin remains unidentified, its harmful impact on dogs is widely recognized. Small dogs like French Bulldogs are particularly vulnerable to grape toxicity because of their size and distinct health issues. So, it’s best to keep your pup away from this fruit.
Effects of Grape Toxicity in French Bulldogs
If a Frenchie accidentally consumes grapes or raisins, they could experience symptoms of grape toxicity, which can range from vomiting and diarrhea to lethargy, loss of appetite, and even acute kidney failure. In severe cases, it can also result in death. As a pet owner, if you notice your Frenchie showing signs of illnesses such as dehydration, shaking, or an unusual heartbeat after eating grapes or raisins, it’s important to get them to a vet as soon as possible. The vet will likely induce vomiting to remove the toxic substance from your dog’s system, provide fluids to support the kidneys, and may even administer activated charcoal to absorb any remaining toxins.
It’s always wise to prioritize prevention over cure, especially when it comes to the health of your French Bulldog. To ensure their wellbeing and joyful spirit, it is crucial that you keep grapes and raisins out of their reach.
What Makes Grapes Toxic To Frenchies?
The exact mechanism is not determined. There were several theories, including:
- Presence of certain components (various monosaccharide complexes, tannins) that cannot be efficiently metabolized
- Presence of mycotoxins or pesticide residues on the grape’s surface
- Presence of salicylate-like chemicals inside the grape.
Today, the leading theory is that not all dogs have the enzymes necessary for metabolizing grapes. The presence of those enzymes is genetically determined.
If your French bulldog eats grape while genetically lacking the enzymes necessary for breaking down and metabolizing grapes, it will develop acute renal failure.
Acute renal failure (ARF) is a life-threatening condition that indicates kidney impairment. The compromised kidney function leads to an inability to produce urine and waste product elimination. The accumulation of waste products has detrimental effects.
Signs And Symptoms After Eating Grapes In French Bulldogs
Affected French bulldogs start showing signs of intoxication in about six to 12 hours upon eating grapes. The main concern – acute renal failure develops later, after around 72 hours.
These are the expected signs and symptoms:
- Vomiting (undigested grapes/raisins might be present)
- Diarrhea (undigested grapes/raisins might be present)
- Anorexia
- Abdominal pain
- Hyperactivity followed by sudden drop in the stamina level
- Lethargy
- Shivering (tremors)
- Dehydration
- Excessive thirst and polydipsia (increased water intake)
- Impaired breathing
- Increased urine production followed by oliguria (decreased urine production) and finally anuria (lack of urine production).
Treating French Bulldog With Grape Toxicity
Sadly, when it comes to grapes, there is no specific antidote that can reverse its effects and fix the situation. When dealing with a grape-intoxicated French bulldog, the goals of the treatment include:
- Toxin elimination or decontamination – vomiting induction followed by activated charcoal administration (if the ingestion occurred within the last two hours) or intravenous fluids (if the ingestion occurred more than two hours ago).
- Kidney protection – administration of drugs that protect the kidneys and stimulate urine production. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are advised if available.
- Primary supportive and symptomatic therapy – managing the vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, seizures, and other accompanying issues.
Prognosis for French bulldogs with grape toxicities
For French bulldogs with developed acute renal failure the prognosis is guarded. The term guarded indicates the survival chances are 50/50. For French bulldog that have not yet developed renal issues, the prognosis is generally good.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, French Bulldogs should not eat grapes or raisins. Grapes can be toxic to dogs, potentially leading to kidney failure, which can be fatal.
Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and increased thirst and urination. If you suspect grape ingestion, seek veterinary help immediately.
No, it’s best to avoid giving any grapes or raisins to your French Bulldog, regardless of the amount. The toxic compounds can affect dogs unpredictably.
Contact your veterinarian immediately. It’s important to seek professional help to determine the appropriate steps to take, which may involve inducing vomiting or other treatments.
Yes, many fruits are safe in moderation. Some options include apples (without seeds), blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon (seedless). Always remove any seeds and consult your vet before introducing new foods.
CONCLUSION
Being a responsible French bulldog parent has its ups and downs – it is a challenging yet gratifying experience. No matter how careful and caring you are, accidents can happen. You cannot predict and prevent every single situation. However, being proactive and knowing what to do in a case of an emergency is your responsibility.
In those terms, being a responsible French bulldog parent means having your trusted vet’s phone number on speed dial. Suppose your Frenchie ate a grape or two; instead of panicking, call your vet and follow his/her instructions. Being calm and reacting appropriately can be life-saving for you Frenchie.
