We often recommend feeding your German Shepherd properly and by properly we mean a balanced diet. This balanced diet contains all the classes of food not forgetting vitamins and water. For vitamins, one of the foremost sources is fruits. However, not every fruit is good for your GSD.
They may have vitamins but some fruits are labeled toxic for dogs and today we’ll be walking through some of the fruits that you shouldn’t bring to your German shepherd. You’ll find out that some of them may not cause problems when taken in little quantities but it is best to just avoid them.
What Fruits are Toxic to German Shepherds?
The following are some of the fruits that you should keep away from your GSD and I have discussed why this should be done.
You should not give your GSD any of the following fruits:
- Avocado
- Cherries
- Grapes
- Tomatoes
- Lemon
- Lime
Avocado
Avocado is a fruit that contains persin. While this fruit feels very edible, persin is a toxin that has been found to make dogs throw up and have diarrhea immediately.
Cherries
Cherries in themselves are not toxic but in their pits, you would find traces of cyanide. Now, when your dog swallows a cyanide, it may not be harmful to it but if by chance it chews the seed and releases the cyanide, it could make them sick.
Grapes
Grapes and dry reasons are very toxic to dogs. Although there has not been any research to prove why this is so, we have seen cases where a German Shepherd is fed with grapes and raisins and it led to fatal conditions like kidney failure.
Tomatoes
You might be surprised to find tomatoes on this list. Dogs can eat tomatoes but feeding your dog with unripe tomatoes can be toxic. The green parts of the tomato plants have what we call solanine.
Your dog might have to eat a pretty big tomato plant for it to get sick because of this solanine. That is why it might be a bit safe to feed your dog with tomatoes. However, it is best to just stay away from unripe tomatoes.
Lemon
Lemons are toxic to German Shepherds due to their high levels of citric acid and psoralens, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation and photosensitivity. Ingesting lemon flesh, peel, or oil can result in unpleasant and potentially dangerous symptoms in German Shepherds.
Lime
Limes, like lemons, are also highly toxic to German Shepherds due to their concentrated citric acid and psoralens, which can corrode the delicate digestive system and trigger photosensitivity. Consuming even small amounts of lime flesh, peel, or juice can be extremely harmful to German Shepherds.
What are the Signs Your German Shepherd has Ingested a Toxic Fruit?
The most common signs that a dog has ingested a toxic fruit like grapes, raisins, avocados, or star fruit include:
Vomiting – This is often one of the first signs, as the dog’s body tries to expel the toxic substance. Vomiting occurs as the dog’s digestive system reacts to the presence of the poison, attempting to rid the body of the harmful compounds.
Diarrhea – Like vomiting, diarrhea is the body’s way of attempting to quickly flush out the toxins. The dog’s intestines go into overdrive to eliminate the toxic material as fast as possible.
Loss of appetite – As the toxins begin affecting the dog’s system, they may lose their appetite and refuse to eat. The dog’s body prioritizes dealing with the poisoning over the desire for food.
Lethargy – The dog may become sluggish and uninterested in normal activities due to the effects of the toxins. The poisoning saps the dog’s energy and motivation as their body focuses on fighting off the harmful substances.
Excessive thirst and urination – This indicates that the kidneys are being impacted by the toxins, as the body tries to flush them out. The kidneys work overtime to dilute and eliminate the poisons, leading to increased water intake and urine output.
Abdominal pain – The dog may appear restless, whine, or guard their abdomen due to discomfort. The toxins can cause inflammation and irritation in the digestive tract, leading to abdominal pain and distress.
Drooling – Excess drooling can occur as a symptom of poisoning. This is likely due to nausea or other gastrointestinal effects of the toxins.
Hiccups (with star fruit poisoning specifically) – The characteristic hiccups are an early warning sign of star fruit toxicity. The toxins in star fruit can disrupt the dog’s normal breathing and muscle control, leading to these involuntary contractions.
More severe symptoms may develop 24-48 hours after ingestion, indicating acute kidney damage:
Uremic (ammonia) breath – This indicates advanced kidney damage. As the kidneys fail, they are unable to properly filter out waste products, causing a distinctive ammonia-like odor on the dog’s breath.
Dehydration – As the kidneys fail, the dog becomes dehydrated. The kidneys’ inability to regulate fluid balance leads to excessive fluid loss that the dog cannot replenish.
Decreased or absent urine production – Reduced or no urine output is a sign of kidney failure. The damaged kidneys can no longer effectively filter and excrete urine.
Tremors, seizures, coma (with star fruit poisoning) – These neurological symptoms can occur with star fruit toxicity and are life-threatening. The toxins in star fruit can directly impact the dog’s nervous system, leading to these severe neurological effects.
If you notice any of these signs in your dog after they may have eaten a toxic fruit, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Prompt treatment is crucial, as the sooner poisoning is identified and addressed, the better the chances of a full recovery.
What to Do When Your German Shepherd Eats a Toxic Fruit?
If your German Shepherd eats a toxic fruit like grapes, raisins, or currants, take the following steps:
Get Vet Help
Call your veterinarian or the pet poison hotline immediately for professional advice, even if your dog seems fine. Explain what your dog ate and how much.
Your vet may recommend hospitalization for intravenous fluids and monitoring, especially if your dog ate a large amount or is showing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or abdominal pain.
In severe cases, dialysis may be needed to support the kidneys if toxins have already caused damage.
Induce Vomiting
If your vet advises, induce vomiting by giving your dog a small amount of hydrogen peroxide or ipecac syrup. This helps remove the toxins before they are absorbed.
Give your GSD Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal may be given to help absorb any remaining toxins in the digestive tract.
Can Dogs Develop A Taste For Toxic Fruits Over Time?
No, dogs cannot develop a taste for toxic fruits over time. Fruits like grapes, raisins, avocados, and cherries are inherently toxic to dogs and can cause serious health issues like kidney failure if ingested.
A dog’s taste buds are designed to detect flavors associated with their ancestral meat-based diet, not sweet fruits.
While dogs may enjoy the taste of some fruits, they lack the receptors to crave toxic ones. Feeding dogs toxic fruits, even in small amounts, is dangerous and should be avoided. Their taste preferences do not change to accommodate harmful foods.
Final Thoughts
As you’ve seen, some of these fruits aren’t harmful in large quantities or in themselves. So, you need to apply caution when you want to give your GSD fruits.
Ole Dog House began in 2000 and was officially incorporated in 2004, strengthened by a technical partnership with Samantha Straub of Von Der Burg Loisenthal Kennels in South Africa. Over the past two and a half decades, our kennel has established itself as a leader in Nigeria’s canine industry, producing top-quality German Shepherd Dogs that strictly adhere to WUSV standards.
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