Tag: dog nutrition

Why Are Grapes Bad for Dogs?

Posted on June 24, 2021 - 2:30 pm by
A Black and Brown Dog Staring at Hanging Grapes

Among the many foods that are on the no-no list for dogs are grapes and their relatives: raisins, sultanas and currants. Dogs should not eat grapes or any grape-based foods because they can cause severe kidney failure and even death. So what makes grapes so bad that even a single grape can cause health issues for dogs?

Are Grapes Acidic? Is That the Problem?

Grapes do have a pH on the lower side so they are acidic, but the issue with dogs eating grapes isn’t because they’re acidic. It’s likely due to one particular acid — tartaric acid. If that sounds familiar to all the bakers out there, it’s probably because you’ve used cream of tartar, which is made from tartaric acid, in your baking. Unlike people and some animals, dogs are especially sensitive to tartaric acid.

What Happens If a Dog Eats a Grape?

For a long time, no one knew exactly what made grapes toxic to dogs. The type of grape didn’t matter; dogs showed signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite, and later increased thirst and urination, whether the grapes were green or red, seeded or seedless grapes, fresh grapes or dried (raisins, sultanas and currants). And sometimes grape and raisin toxicity led to acute kidney failure or worse.

Then the connection between grapes and dogs exposed to cream of tartar and tamarinds was made. The ASPCA explains that the clinical signs, lab results and kidney lesions seen in the dogs exposed to cream of tartar and tamarind resembled those of dogs who ate grapes and raisins. This helped investigators realize that a common factor — tartaric acid — was the toxic substance behind the kidney problems.

What Are the Symptoms After a Dog Eats Grapes?

The symptoms of grape or raisin toxicity can vary among dogs, among grapes, and by how many grapes the dog ate. A dog’s health can be affected within hours of grape ingestion; typically dogs with grape poisoning vomit, have diarrhea, don’t want to eat, drool and just want to laze around. You may notice them drinking and urinating more. If kidney damage has already started, urine production may decrease (there may be little or no urine coming out).

Can Dogs Have Green Grapes? Can Dogs Have Red Grapes?

Red, green, purple, black or yellow; it doesn’t matter what color the grapes are, don’t let your dog eat them, as they can all potentially cause grape toxicity. They also shouldn’t eat dried grapes, like raisins, sultanas and currants, since these may also be toxic to dogs.

What to Do If Dogs Eat Grapes

If you know or suspect your dog ate a grape, you should immediately call your veterinarian. If your dog ate grapes or raisins (or any grape-based food) while your vet clinic is closed, call an after-hours emergency veterinary clinic, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435) or the Pet Poison Helpline (1-855-764-7661) for advice on what to do. Do not try to induce vomiting unless a veterinarian has advised you to do so.

My Dog Ate Grapes but Seems Fine

If your dog eats raisins, grapes or any other grape-containing food, call your vet. Even if your dog isn’t showing signs of grape poisoning, you should still call your vet. If it’s been less than an hour or two, your vet may induce vomiting so the toxins (grapes or raisins) are removed from your dog’s stomach. Further treatment may still be required, though.

Sensitivity to grapes can vary among dogs, so it’s best to be safe and have your dog examined by your vet if they have ingested grapes or raisins — even if they seem fine or ate just one grape.

Can Dogs Have Wine?

Nope. Any alcohol is bad for dogs. Along with grape poisoning from the wine (it contains tartaric acid), dogs can experience ethanol poisoning, which leads to trouble breathing and seizures. So make sure you keep wine glasses and bottles well out of the reach of curious canines.

Can Dogs Have Grape Juice?

Another nope. Grape juice can also cause grape toxicity so don’t let your dog sneak a sip from your glass. Eating grapes, drinking liquids made from grapes and eating dried grape products can all cause toxicity in dogs and are all big no-nos.

The bottom line is that dog owners should never feed their dog grapes or any food with a grape-based ingredient in it (e.g., raisin bread is out). If your dog does eat grapes, call your vet immediately. If you would like to feed your dog some fruit, there are plenty of safe alternatives like plain cranberries, pineapple and blueberries.

What Is the Best Protein for Dogs?

Posted on August 15, 2019 - 3:00 pm by
A yellow Labrador retriever sitting in a kitchen looking down at three empty stainless steel dog bowls on the floor.

All dogs need protein in their diet, but the meat- and protein-related claims made on dog food packaging can be confusing. And, in reality, few ingredients used in pet food provide only one type of nutrient. We’ll review what you really need to know about protein and its various sources in dog food.

The Importance of Dietary Protein for Dogs

Let’s start with some dog nutrition basics and why protein is necessary in dog food. Dietary protein is really all about amino acids. Many animal nutritionists will tell you that dogs don’t have a protein requirement; they have a requirement for amino acids in the proper amounts and ratios. Of the 20 or so amino acids, 10 are considered essential for dogs — that means they must be provided in the diet because dogs can’t produce them in their body or can’t make enough of them.

The primary function of protein is to provide essential and nonessential amino acids for muscle development and repair, enzymes, key hormones (like insulin) and antibodies. Proteins are the primary structural parts of muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, skin and hair. Proteins from food are also the body’s primary source of nitrogen, which is critical for making nonessential amino acids, nucleic acids of DNA and RNA, and certain neurotransmitters. Finally, amino acids from protein can be converted into glucose and other energy forms for the body to use to maintain itself and during growth, gestation and lactation. That’s a lot of important functions!

Here’s something to keep in mind: Once a food or ingredient is digested and its nutrients are absorbed through the lining of the small intestine, the original source of the nutrients no longer matters. In the case of amino acids, your dog’s body doesn’t care where the amino acids come from for its use — whether they’re made by the body or supplied in the diet as single amino acids or as intact proteins.

Protein Sources Add Flavor to a Dog’s Diet

Protein sources in dog food also provide flavor. When protein sources are cooked along with fats and carbohydrates, different flavors can be created. Animal nutritionists agree that as the protein content of food increases, the food generally becomes more palatable and acceptable to dogs.

Protein Ingredients That Dog Food Is Made From

Pet food manufacturers can use many different ingredients to supply the protein and amino acids found in dog foods. Essentially, protein ingredients can be grouped into one of three categories:

  • Animal-based ingredients
  • Plant-based ingredients
  • Amino acid supplements

Several protein sources are often combined in pet foods to improve the overall quality and amino acid profile of the finished diet. This practice is known as protein complementation, and it’s used because different protein ingredients contain different amounts of essential and nonessential amino acids. That’s why it’s common to see dog foods with one or more animal proteins, plant proteins and amino acid supplements.

Typical pet food ingredients with high-protein concentrations are meat, meat meal, meat broth, eggs and fish. Taste of the Wild dog food recipes use a variety of different animal proteins, including:

  • Beef
  • Bison
  • Chicken
  • Duck
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Lamb
  • Pork
  • Quail
  • Salmon
  • Trout
  • Turkey
  • Venison
  • Water buffalo
  • Wild boar

Animal-based ingredients aren’t the only protein source for pet foods. Plant-based ingredients — such as ancient grains (like quinoa and chia seed) and legumes (like peas, lentils and chickpeas) — are also used for their protein and amino acid content. When added to a dog’s diet, these ingredients not only bring variety, they contribute phytonutrients that are considered beneficial to overall health.

Finally, amino acid fortification is commonly used to improve the protein quality and amino acid profile of dog foods. The three essential amino acids in dietary proteins that are most often in short supply are methionine, lysine and tryptophan. The other amino acid commonly fortified in pet food, especially cat foods, is taurine. Although most dogs can make sufficient amounts of taurine to meet their body’s requirements, some pet food brands, including Taste of the Wild, choose to fortify their recipes with taurine.

How Much Protein Is in Dog Food?

If your dog eats a complete and balanced diet that includes a statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) on the label, that food has been formulated to meet the nutritional needs of the pet that the food is intended for. The formula contains all the essential nutrients required (including essential amino acids), and the nutrients are present in the correct ratios for the life stage of that animal (i.e., gestation/lactation, growth, maintenance or all life stages).

How Much Protein Does a Dog Need?

AAFCO sets a minimum crude protein requirement for dog foods of 22.5% on a dry matter basis for growth and reproduction diets and 18% on a dry matter basis for adult dog maintenance diets. How much protein your dog needs depends on their age, activity level, life stage, health conditions, weight management needs and the protein quality of the diet. Excess protein in the diet is broken down and used for energy.

Keep in mind that due to health issues, some dogs may have special dietary needs that require specific protein requirements. For example, lower protein levels are recommended for dogs with chronic kidney disease. On the other hand, high-protein dog food is sometimes recommended for highly active dogs or performance dogs with high energy levels. Always consult with your veterinarian on the appropriate diet needs for your dog and exactly how much protein they should be eating.

What Is the Best Protein for Dogs?

If you have questions about your dog’s food, including the protein sources used in it, talk with your veterinarian. They can assess your dog’s nutritional needs based on age, body condition, activity level and any medical issues. Your vet can also recommend appropriate dog foods, including how much you should be feeding for proper health.