My dog

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Can dogs eat it?

Can dogs eat grapefruit?

Only with care Best avoided. A little flesh is not toxic but can irritate the gut. The peel and rind contain oils that are toxic to dogs.

Why

AKC's chief vet says grapefruit can be very irritating to a dog's gut, partly because of its high citric acid, and that the skin and rind are toxic because of their essential oils. ASPCA lists grapefruit as toxic to dogs because of essential oils and psoralens, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and low mood, while noting the fruit itself is edible and the skin and plant are the problem. Dogs fed a complete food gain nothing from it.

Signs to watch for

If your dog ate grapefruit

If your dog ate a large amount of flesh, call your vet. If they ate any peel or rind, call your vet or an emergency clinic straight away and say how much (AKC).

If your dog has eaten something toxic

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet now. Do not wait for signs, and do not make your dog sick unless a vet tells you to. Take the packet with you.

Australia: poison advice lines
  • Animal Poisons Helpline: 1300 869 738. Open 24/7. Its own home page says consultations with a Poisons Information Consultant are available from $75 AUD. Older pages still call it free: RSPCA Australia's knowledgebase (last updated December 2023) and the helpline's own 2019 launch news, so ask about the fee when you call.
United States: poison advice lines
United Kingdom: poison advice lines
  • Animal PoisonLine: 01202 509 000. Open 24 hours, run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service. £35 per call 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, £45 at all other times including bank holidays, paid by card (Amex not accepted). If your pet shows collapse, seizures or breathing difficulty, it says to contact your vet immediately instead.
Canada: poison advice lines
  • Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661. Its own site says it is available throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean, 24/7. A USD 89 per incident fee applies, which includes follow-up consultations.
New Zealand: poison advice lines
  • Animal Poisons Helpline: 0800 869 738. Open 24/7, the same service as in Australia. New Zealand's National Poisons Centre says it is available to all New Zealand pet owners and that charges do apply; the amount for New Zealand callers is not stated.
  • National Poisons Centre (for people). New Zealand's National Poisons Centre handles human poisonings and says it is not expert in animal poisonings. For a pet, call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline.

How to give it safely

Skip it. If you want to share citrus, a small piece of orange or tangerine flesh with no peel is the better choice (AKC).

This is general guidance, your vet sets the actual schedule. Puppies, small dogs and dogs with a health condition can react to smaller amounts. Check with your own vet before changing what your dog eats.

Other foods people ask about

Apples Yes, in moderation Yes. Apple slices are a good low calorie treat. Remove the core and seeds first. Apricots Yes, in moderation Yes, a little fresh flesh with the stone removed. Never the stone, kernel, stem or leaves, which contain cyanide compounds. Avocado Only with care Best avoided. The flesh is low risk, but the stone can block the gut, the skin and leaves contain persin, and guacamole has onion. Bananas Yes, in moderation Yes, in small amounts. Banana is a fine occasional treat, but it is high in sugar. Peel it first. Blackberries Yes, in moderation Yes. Fresh blackberries are a low calorie treat. Wash them and keep the portion small. Blueberries Yes, in moderation Yes. Blueberries are low in calories and full of antioxidants, and most dogs love them.

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Sources

Last reviewed 2026-09-29.