If you’re a pet parent, you may have a never-ending passion for finding new things to add to your furry friend’s diet.
What could be more nutritious than fruits when talking about new, healthful ingredients? One fruit that offers the most taste and health benefits to people is the acai berry, but “Is Acai Good for Dogs?”
We will make every attempt to give you any information you require through our blog so you can decide what is and is not best for your dog.
What is Acai?
The acai berry, which is a dark purple berry, is found on the acai palm tree. These acai palm trees are completely spread all over South America’s densely forested regions. Due to the health benefits attached to it, its earthy and sweet flavour has made it famous all over the world.
The high fibre content of acai aids in heart health maintenance and digestion. All across the world, it works well in everyday meals because of its low sugar content. Apart from this, its antioxidant qualities help in protecting cells from the harm caused by free radicals.
Acai bowls are among the most commonly eaten acai dishes. This is made by mixing acai with other fruits until it becomes a puree, then serving it with toppings.
Is Acai Good for Dogs?
No, you shouldn’t offer acai berries to your pets, they are not healthy. While acai has many health benefits for humans, dogs cannot handle acai due to its severe toxicity. The theobromine a compound found in acai is the main reason for its negative effects on dogs says experts from CanDogsEatAI.
Theobromine is an alkaloid compound that is white and powdered. It is made from theobroma cacao seeds that have been dried and torn. Chocolate and other goods containing caffeine are as well made with this same chemical. For this reason, coffee, tea, chocolate, and other foods are poisonous to dogs.
The neurological system, kidneys, and heart of dogs are all affected directly by theobromine. As acai berries contain about 25 milligrams of theobromine per gram, they are extremely harmful to dogs.
The generally accepted rule says theobromine toxicity ratios for dogs range from 100 to 500 mg per kilogram of body weight. Therefore, even 40 grams of acai might cause toxicity in a dog weighing 10 kg.
Symptoms of Theobromine poisoning in dogs
It’s likely that your dog has theobromine poisoning if he has eaten acai berries or if you fear he has. The following are the signs to watch out for:
Vomiting: Consumption of acai berries can cause an adverse reaction in your dog’s intestines, leading to vomiting.
- Diarrhoea: The acai berry may be too poisonous for the dog’s digestive enzymes to break down. The dog may get diarrhoea as a result of this stomach discomfort.
- Restlessness: Theobromine produces toxins in the dog’s body as it interacts with it. They get restless, have trouble breathing, and pant heavily as a result of this poisoning.
- Regular urination: Dogs become more thirsty and become dehydrated due to the high theobromine content of acai fruit. They consume more water than is necessary as a result, which causes them to urinate frequently.
- High blood pressure: A sign of theobromine poisoning in dogs is an increased heart rate and increased blood pressure. From here, things could go wrong and result in cardiac failure.
- Seizures: Large asai consumption may have an adverse effect on the dog and result in seizures. As seizures are irreversible, they negatively impact your dog’s quality of life.
Treatment of Theobromine Poisoning in Dogs
Here are the ways to treat theobromine poisoning in dogs:
Inducing vomiting is the first thing you should do if you think your dog may have consumed theobromine. You can help your dog eliminate the undigested acai berries from their body by forcing them to throw up. This will help stabilize the health of dogs suffering from theobromine toxicity until medical assistance is received.
Giving your dog activated charcoal is another treatment that can help solve theobromine toxicity. The theobromine in the dog’s intestine is helped to bind by the activated charcoal, allowing for more absorption. The level of the poisoning influences the right amount of activated charcoal.
Fluid treatment is also beneficial for dogs with theobromine toxicity. By removing toxins from the kidneys, fluid treatment keeps dogs from becoming dehydrated. In addition, it helps in blood pressure regulation for the dog.
Additionally, the veterinarian can administer medications such as sedatives, antiemetics, or antiarrhythmics to treat canine theobromine toxicity. Your dog may be kept under observation by the veterinarian in severe cases.
How to Prevent Your Dog from Eating Acai
Here are the steps to follow to prevent your dog from eating acai products to avoid the poisoning situation:
- Prevent from giving your dog a chance to consume acai berries or products made with them.
- The acai berries should never be left outside. Keep them close by because dogs are naturally curious animals and may decide to eat them.
- Make sure to properly dispose of any products that you may have consumed that contain acai.
- Plant acai berries away from your property, and if you must plant them, keep them covered by a fence.
- Teach your dog to avoid the acai berries and not to consume them.
Safe Alternatives to Acai for Dogs
Here are some safe and healthy alternatives to acai that you can try for your dog:
Blackberries
In addition to being high in antioxidants, blackberries also include fibre, manganese, vitamin C, and vitamin K. It helps protect dog cells from inflammation and oxidative damage.
Blueberries
Just to mention, blueberries are incredibly nutritious and high in fibre. It has flavonoids, which support dogs’ ongoing capacity for thinking clearly.
Watermelon
A tasty and healthy fruit that is good for your dog is watermelon. Your dog benefits much from it. It gives your dog the minerals they need to grow because it’s high in potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
Cranberries
Vitamin C, vitamin E, and fibre are high in cranberries. They are well-known for having health benefits to protect against urinary tract infections (UTIs). They keep the dangerous bacteria from growing and infecting the bladder.
Also Read: Tips for Choosing the Freshest Dog Food for Your Dog
Conclusion
Acai berries no doubt are best for humans and their health however they are not good for your canine companion. We hope that through our blog, “Is Acai Good for Dogs?” we have provided you with all the required information. In this blog, we have clearly mentioned the risks of acai berries on your dog’s health.
If your dog has accidentally consumed acai berries then consult a vet immediately. Further, make sure you keep the acai berries out of reach of your dog.
