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Can our dogs eat grapefruit?

By Kimberley Spinney

BERLIN, GERMANY - JANUARY 19: Citrus fruits including limes, oranges, grapefruit and lemons lie on display at the 2018 International Green Week (Internationale Gruene Woche) agricultural trade fair on January 19, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. Food for humans made from insects and worms is a growing trend. The International Green Week is among the world's biggest agricultural trade fairs and brings together agriculture, food, nutrition and horticulture. It is open to the public from Janaury 19-28. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JANUARY 19: Citrus fruits including limes, oranges, grapefruit and lemons lie on display at the 2018 International Green Week (Internationale Gruene Woche) agricultural trade fair on January 19, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. Food for humans made from insects and worms is a growing trend. The International Green Week is among the world's biggest agricultural trade fairs and brings together agriculture, food, nutrition and horticulture. It is open to the public from Janaury 19-28. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) /
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When it comes to healthy eating for our pets, we often think of adding fresh fruits and vegetables to their diets. And grapefruit might be something that comes to mind.

For us, citrus is a must have in our home. From lemons and limes to oranges and grapefruit, you can just never go wrong with a little citrus in your life.

But when you have dogs, we always need to consider what is actually safe for them to eat. Are they actually able to eat things like grapefruit. We did some digging and we have an answer for you, especially if you are anything like us and like to share your fresh cut fruit snacks with your pup.

Is grapefruit safe for dogs to eat?

Technically, the fruit of a grapefruit is not toxic to our dogs, which is good news. However, as the American Kennel Club explains,

"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 Veterinary Officer for the AKC. This is in part due to the high levels of citric acid in grapefruits."

So while grapefruit won’t necessarily harm our dogs if they happen to eat a piece, in general it might cause tummy issues if they eat too much.

Based on the fact that this particular fruit can irritate our dog’s stomach, we recommend avoiding this citrus offering when it comes to snack time with your pup.

Beyond the actual meat of the grapefruit, we have to be careful with the actual rind and skin of the fruit because that actually is toxic to our pups.

"With grapefruits, “the skin and rind are toxic to dogs,” explains Dr. Klein, because of the natural essential oils that the skin contains."

Honestly, we recommend skipping the grapefruit all together when it comes to giving your pup a treat. And instead, you may want to opt for other dog-friendly options, such as blueberries and strawberries.

What do you say fellow dog lovers? Did you know this particular fruit was more on the no list? Which fruits do you feed your dog?

Next. Are strawberries safe for dogs to eat?. dark

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