Safety guide
Is Grapefruit safe for dogs?
Use with caution
Best avoided — the acidic flesh and especially the peel cause stomach upset and irritation.
Grapefruit is not a good treat for dogs. The acidic flesh can cause stomach upset, and the peel, pith and seeds are worse — they contain essential oils and psoralens that are irritating and can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Most dogs dislike the bitter taste anyway. A small lick of flesh is unlikely to be dangerous, but there is no benefit and it is best avoided altogether.
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Drooling
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or sensitivity to light (with large peel/oil ingestion)
What to do immediately
- 1Remove the grapefruit and any peel from reach
- 2Offer fresh water
- 3Withhold food briefly if the stomach seems upset
- 4Monitor for vomiting or diarrhoea
When to call your vet
Call your vet if your dog ate a large amount of peel or pith, or has persistent vomiting, diarrhoea or lethargy.
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